SPELLING EDITED

U-36. TRINITY in the TRANSFIGURATION of JESUS!

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE FOR THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS?

A brother in the Lord wrote to me recently to see if I had a study on the transfiguration of Jesus. He wanted to know if the transfiguration of Jesus proves the divinity of Jesus. I shared with him that I had never heard that before and asked him if he knew of any articles that I could read to see how the transfiguration of Jesus was being used to prove the divinity of Jesus? He sent me the following two links:

https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/transfiguration-of-jesus-christ-faq.htm

https://www.gotquestions.org/transfiguration.html

Both articles are rather short. So if you like, you can take a few moments and read one or both the articles now. I will, however, be quoting some of both articles in this study in God’s word to show that the transfiguration of Jesus does NOT prove that Jesus pre-existed as God the Son in eternity past. Let us begin this study with a quote from the first article linked above. I will add my comments within the article to save from re-quoting the argument in sections. In other words, if you desire to read the whole article without my added comments then you will need to click on the above links to go to their websites.

The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change.

This much of the article is accurate. You can check most any concordance and the definition is the same. The Greek word “metamorpho” does indeed mean to transform. And that transforming can either be a literal transformation or a figurative transformation. Let us continue with the quote from the first article.

The word is a verb that means to change into another form.

Let us also be clear that the Scripture itself specifically states that it was the COUNTENANCE of Jesus that was altered or changed and NOT that Jesus himself was transformed.

Please read Luke 9:29.

“And as he prayed, the FASHION (Or the APPEARANCE) OF his COUNTENANCE was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.”

And the meaning of the Greek word “prosopon” is the OUTWARD aspect of a person. Here is a quote from the concordance on E-Sword. So in TRUTH, it was the OUTWARD APPEARANCE of Jesus that was transfigured, altered, or changed and NOT the whole being of Jesus. And this truth takes away the credibility of the next statement in the quoted article which I will highlight in green.

prosōpon

pros'-o-pon

From G4314 and ὤψ ōps (the visage; from G3700); the front (as being towards view), that is, the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication presence, person: - (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men’s) person, presence.

It also means to change the outside to match the inside.

I do not know where the writer of the quoted article got his information that the Greek “metamorpho” word ALSO means to change the outside to match the inside but according to the definition of the Greek word “prosopon” and the Scripture itself, it was ONLY the OUTWARD APPEARANCE of Jesus that was changed. Here is what I find that the Greek word “metamorpho means according to E-Sword.

metamorphoō

met-am-or-fo'-o

From G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose”): - change, transfigure, transform.

The prefix "meta" means to change and the "morphe" means form.

According to the concordance I use, the Greek word “meta” carries the meaning of the connection in a sequence of events. For example, the English word “hereafter” in Revelation 4:1 is translated from the compound Geek word “metatauta” which is wrongly interpreted by pre-tribulation rapture teachers to mean that nothing after Revelation chapters 1-3 has anything to do with the church. But the TRUE meaning of the Greek word “meta” means that all the things BEFORE this compound Greek word “metetauta” are CONNECTED to what follows the Greek word “metatauta”. So the Greek word to my knowledge does NOT mean to CHANGE. Here is the meaning of “meta” according to E-Sword. You decide if the writer of the quoted article is giving you a Biblical meaning or a secular meaning.

meta

met-ah'

A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment; “amid” (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722, and less close than G4862): - after (-ward),X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-) on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-) to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.

In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality.

Now, from what I have researched as to the Biblical meaning of “metamorphe”, I have found NO such meaning of this compound Greek word that means to change the outside to match the inside. Again, the Bible itself teaches us that it was the COUNTENANCE OF Jesus that was altered to become white and shining. Plain and simple, the disciples of Jesus witnessed the Shekinah glory coming upon Jesus in much the same way that the glory of God was seen upon the face of Moses.

Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the Shekinah glory of God incarnated in the Son. The voice of God attesting to the truth of Jesus' Sonship was the second time God's voice was heard. The first time was at Jesus' baptism into His public ministry by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).

This Trinitarian writer of the quoted article has taken Hebrew 10:20 OUT of its CONTEXT and has TWISTED its true meaning. This writer has wrongly interpreted Hebrews 10:20 to mean that God the Son VEILED himself in a body of flesh just like the Oneness Christians. And then he concludes the “his” meaning of the Greek word “metamorphe” and “his” understanding of Hebrews 10:20 proves that the transfiguration happened in order to prove the divinity of Jesus. We will cover the TRUE meaning of Hebrew 10:20 right after we read this writer’s other conclusion.

Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a unique display of His divine character and a glimpse of the glory, which Jesus had before He came to earth in human form. This truth is emphasized for us in a passage in the Apostle Paul's letter to Phillippi. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form (morphe) of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form (morphe) of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

Since I already have an in-depth study on Philippians 2:5-11 I will not be covering it again in this particular study in God’s word. For the sound Biblical meaning of Philippians 2:5-11 please read the study “PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11 PROVES PRE-EXISTENCE?” But for now, let us look at the true meaning of Hebrew 10:20. First, we will read this verse out of its context.

Hebrews 10:20.

“By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;”

Now, the writer of the quoted article wrongly INTERPRETS this verse to mean that a divine God the Son VEILED himself in a body of FLESH. This is what Onessnes Christians believe and teach EXCEPT they say that Almighty God himself clothed himself in a body of flesh. But neither this verse nor any other verse in the Bible has anything to do with the flesh of Jesus BEING a VEIL. The writer of Hebrews is COMPARING the WAY into the Almighty’s presence. For you see, the only way to God under the old covenant was THROUGH the VEIL of the Temple into the Holy of Holies. But NOW we have a NEW and living WAY to the Father.

In other words, the VEIL of the temple that separated the people from the Holy of Holies was TORN from the top to the bottom at the CROSS. That is to say, that BECAUSE of the sacrifice of the Son of MAN, Jesus, the WAY to Almighty God was made possible. So then, the true meaning of Hebrew 10:20 is that the FLESH of Jesus is an analogy of the VEIL being TORN at the cross to make a WAY to the Father. The flesh of Jesus being torn and beaten has made a NEW WAY into the presence of Almighty God the Father.

Let us move on to a quote from the next article in the second link that I gave at the beginning of this study in God’s word. Again, I will add my comments all along the way through this quote rather than having you read the whole quote first and then breaking the quote into sections taking a little at a time. The emphasis in the quote is my own.

Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into at least a part of His heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was.

Unless otherwise specifically stated in the Scriptures, the “PURPOSE” of the events recorded in the Bible is a matter of INTERPRETATION. So to use the word “undoubtedly” is misleading. Now, in my own opinion, I believe that the true purpose of the transfiguration was to put the old covenant to bed, so to speak, and to point to Jesus as being the Christ,  the SON OF Almighty God. I will explain why I believe this after we cover the errors of interpretation made by the writer of this second quote.

Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order that the disciples could behold Him in His glory.

Again, this is just his own personal opinion. And my own opinion is that the Bible itself says that it was the COUNTENANCE of Jesus that was altered. So what the disciples saw was the glory of Almighty God coming UPON the Son of MAN, Jesus, in much the same way that the children of Israel saw the glory of God upon the face of Moses.

The disciples, who had only known Him in His human body, now had a greater realization of the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. That gave them the reassurance they needed after hearing the shocking news of His coming death.

Now, if this is the case, then why did the disciples of Jesus question what Jesus meant about him being resurrected. I mean why did the disciples of Jesus NOT ask ANY question about the deity of Jesus IF SO BE that they realized from the transfiguration that Jesus was the fully Almighty God himself? Why did they not bow before Jesus right then and there? The truth of the matter in that they realized that Jesus just told them that he was going to die and then be resurrected from the dead.

Please, read Mark 9:9-11.

“And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of MAN was risen from the dead.

10.  And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. (Now, if it was ME, and I had just realized that a mortal MAN was Almighty God himself, then I would be asking a ton of questions related to Jesus BEING Almighty God himself. But yet they questioned among themselves as to what the rising from the dead should mean? And then they asked Jesus the following question)

11.  And they asked him, saying, Why do the scribe says that Elijah must first come?”

Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. But God’s voice from heaven – “Listen to Him!” - clearly showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to Jesus. The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old – He is the fulfillment of the Law and the countless prophecies in the Old Testament.

Now, with this statement, I totally agree. The writer of this quote has hit the nail on the head, so to speak, as to the TRUE meaning and purpose of why Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. To ME, the true purpose and meaning of the transfiguration of Jesus are to POINT to Jesus as being the Christ, the SON OF God. More on why I believe this right after we finish covering this quote from the second article.

Also, in His glorified form, they saw a preview of His coming glorification and enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords.

I disagree with the word “FORM”. I personally believe that the form of Jesus was not changed. But rather, I believe that the COUNTENANCE of Jesus was altered just as the Bible plainly states.

Please read Luke 9:29.

“And as he prayed, the FASHION of his COUNTENANCE was ALTERED, and his raiment was white and glistering.”

The Greek word translated as “altered” means DIFFERENT. It was the OUTWARD APPEARANCE of Jesus that became different when the glory of Yahweh was upon him. And the outward appearance of Moses was altered when the glory of Yahweh was upon him. I do not see the actual FORM of Moses being changed when his face shone with the glory of Yahweh. And that is why I feel that it is wrong to emphasize that the FORM of Jesus was changed. To me, that is reading into the text more than what is actually in the text itself.

The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain and no doubt this was intended. John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” (John 1:14).

John 1:14 is speaking of the disciples seeing the glory of the only BEGOTTEN Son of God AFTER the CROSS which is when the Father highly exalted the Son of MAN, Jesus. Please read the study “WHEN DID JESUS BECOME GOD’s ETERNAL SON?”

Peter also wrote of it, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

I have to confess that when I read this verse I thought of the doctrine of the Trinity as being a cleverly invented story which we are NOT to follow because the disciples of Jesus did not follow or teach any such doctrine of three separate persons in one God. How many questions have new Trinitarian Christians asked their leaders concerning the doctrine of the Trinity and yet there is not even a mention of such a subject by the disciples of Jesus anywhere in the Bible itself?

For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased.’

And to this truth of Jesus being the SON OF Almighty God I totally agree because the disciples of Jesus do indeed say MUCH regarding the Son of MAN, Jesus, also being the SON OF God.

This brings us to the end of exposing the errors of interpretation of the Scriptures made by these two Trinitarian writers. Let us now explore the possible TRUE meaning or PURPOSE of why the transfiguration took place.

First of all, we need to understand that this was a VISION and not an actual event. Yes, an event of a VISION took place. But are visions real, in that, do the things that are seen in a vision actually take place in real-time? For example, in the vision of Peter seeing the blanket descend down with all manners of animals both clean and unclean actually and “PHYSICALLY” happen. Were those animals physically there on the rooftop in a blanket with Peter? Or did Peter see a VISION of those animals in his mind? Please read Matthew 17:9 where we learn that Jesus himself calls the event of the Transfiguration a VISION.

Matthew 17:9.

“And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the VISION to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”

Now, in my own opinion, I believe that the vision that the three disciples saw was a VISION of the FUTURE glorification of the Son of MAN, Jesus, AFTER the cross. We all agree that Jesus was glorified AFTER the cross. And almost all Christians agree that we are NOW under the NEW COVENANT. But try and put yourself in the shoes of the disciples of Jesus who were taught the old covenant all their lives. Try and picture how hard it must have been for them at first to STOP keeping the Law of Moses all at one single moment in time. I want you to consider these words of Jesus telling them that he had much more to teach them BUT they could NOT YET BEAR those teachings. They would have to wait until they had the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. They had to wait until the TIME was right before they could bear such teaching.

Please read John 16:12,13.

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but you CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW.

13.  Howbeit WHEN he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”

Jesus is telling his disciples that WHEN the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in them that he will continue to teach them through the leading of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Jesus was telling his disciples that he many things that they were NOT ABLE to bear right then and there. BUT later on, the Holy Spirit would show them things that they could bear and understand WHEN the time was right. And those future things that the all Jewish disciples of Jesus could NOT yet bear UNTIL the Holy Spirit showed them was their NOT keeping of the Law of Moses contained in ordinances as they once did under the old covenant. For you see, this was a lot of CHANGE to bear all at once for the ALL JEWISH church. To properly understand that the all Jewish church was still yet LEARNING please read the study “ACTS 10 THE VISION OF PETER OF CLEANSED MEAT!” But for now, please know and understand that Peter called the teachings of Paul HARD to understand. And those things that were hard to understand was how could God command them to obey the Law of Moses all their life and now tell them to NOT obey the Law of Moses.

Please read 2 Peter 3:15-18.

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16.  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17.  You, therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

18.  BUT (Or but rather) grow in GRACE, and in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Even Peter had trouble accepting this transformation from the old covenant to the NEW COVENANT. Remember how he questions the vision he was given by God to slay the unclean animals and EAT them? But AFTER Peter saw the Gentiles being saved he understood that God had cleansed all manner of meat the same as God cleansed all manner of people. And that is what I myself personally believe was the PURPOSE of the VISION of the Transfiguration.

In my own opinion, God was showing the disciples in a vision of Jesus being glorified that a CHANGE was about to take place. For you see, the very moment that they want to erect three tabernacles the two figures representing the old covenant DISAPPEARED and they only saw Jesus remaining. And at the moment in time when only Jesus remained that heard Almighty God’s voice speak to them saying, This is my beloved SON, HEAR you HIM.

In other words, God was saying to forget about the OLD Covenant and OBEY what my Son is teaching you in the New Testament under the NEW COVENANT that will be established in his shed blood. Let us read the record of the Transfiguration of Jesus from all three Gospels. Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36. But let us do this in sections or in topics of thought that came to me while I was studying this passage of Scripture.

One of the first things that stood out to me was the phrase “AFTER SIX days” and the thought came to me that after the sixth day is the Sabbath day. And that thought agrees with the PURPOSE of the transfiguration being to point to the NEW COVENANT established in the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. Again, this is my own personal opinion. But I believe that there is far more Biblical evidence to support this opinion as to the true purpose of why the transfiguration took place. I also have another interpretation as well which I cover at the very end of this study in God's word. So the true purpose could be either one or perhaps both.

Please read Matthew 17:1.

“And AFTER SIX days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain APART,”

Mark 9:2.

“And AFTER SIX days Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John, and led them up into a high mountain APART by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.”

Luke 9:28.

“And it came to pass ABOUT eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.”

Well, after SIX days of the SEVENTH day. And ABOUT the eighth day but not quite yet the eighth day is also the SEVENTH day. And the seventh day is the Sabbath day. Now if this is what the writers of the New Testament intended their words to mean, then that means that Jesus and his three disciples climbed up that high mountain PURPOSELY on the weekly Sabbath day. And that purpose, to me, was to show that all the Jewish disciples or the NON-Gentile disciples that a CHANGE was about to take place. And that change was the doing away with the Old Covenant to bring in a NEW and BETTER Covenant established in the shed blood of the Son of MAN, Jesus. God was going to ALSO save the GENTILES. who believe. God was slowly doing away with the old covenant to establish a New Covenant. The Jews were looking for a warrior King Messiah and they were not yet prepared for a suffering Messiah who would die on the cross and then be raised from the dead.

Some of you may not have realized that Jesus himself emphasized that the Son of MAN would be lifted up on the cross as opposed to saying that the Son of God would be lifted up on the cross.

Please read John 3:14.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of MAN be lifted up:”

Then in John chapter 12, we read where the unbelieving Jews asked Jesus why he said that the Son of MAN will be lifted up? They also asked WHO is this Son of MAN?

Please read John 12:32-38.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33.  This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34.  The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever: and how say you, The Son of MAN must be lifted up? Who is this Son of MAN?

35.  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness comes upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not whither he goes. (They were having a little light that Jesus was the CHRIST. Jesus is the light of the world. And we are also the light of the world. The word “light” symbolizes the revelation of the truth. These Jews were starting to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the one prophesied to come. But when Jesus began to speak of the Son of MAN dying, then they began to DOUBT that he was the Christ. They referred to the Scripture that speaks of the Messiah living forever. So in the next verse, Jesus is saying to them to not let go of that light that he is the Christ just because you do not understand that the Messiah must suffer and die on the cross first)

36.  While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

37.  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38.  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Then we read in the account of the transfiguration of Jesus that two men who were specifically named appeared to Jesus in that VISION. One was Moses and the other was Elijah. Moses represents the LAW, and Elijah represents the PROPHETS. And Jesus came not to completely destroy the law and but rather to FULFILL the law and the prophets. Please read the study “MATTHEW 5:17,18 SABBATH TRUTH!” and “HAS GOD LAW BEEN ABOLISHED?” But for now, let us examine or contemplate WHY did Moses and Elijah DISAPPEARED and ONLY Jesus remained when Peter wanted to build three tabernacles?

Please read Matthew 17:3-9.

“And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (Or Elijah) talking with him.

4.  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5.  While he yet spake, (Or in that very moment Peter proposed the idea to make three tabernacles) behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR you HIM. (Yahweh could have said, this is my DIVINE Son or this is ME, or this is God the Son, the second person of the divine me. But there is no such language in the Bible itself. However, we are told many times that Jesus is the SON OF God. And it was PROPHESIED in the Old Testament that God would raise up a prophet like Moses and commanded that if the children of Israel did NOT listen to that prophet they would be destroyed from among the people. Please read Deuteronomy 18:18,19 “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

19.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” and Acts 3:22,23. “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Act 3:23  And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will NOT hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” So to me, God was saying to Peter and the other two disciples of Jesus that the LAW of Moses and the PROPHETS spoke of this man right in front of you and I want you to HEAR HIM. So forget about who you have idolized in the Scriptures and listen to your MESSIAH)

6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7.  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, SAVE JESUS ONLY. (I think they got the message from the voice of Almighty God the Father to not ask Jesus the question of where Moses and Elijah went. But they did ask about the prophecy of Elijah coming before the Messiah. And Jesus told them that he had come and later they understood that John the Baptist came in the “spirit” of Elijah)

9.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the VISION to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”

So to me, it was no coincidence that the two Old Testament men disappeared and ONLY Jesus remained. I believe that God was showing the disciples of Jesus that the old covenant was ready to VANISH AWAY.

Please read Hebrews 8:13.

“In that he said, A NEW covenant, he has made the first OLD. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to VANISH AWAY.”

Now, the seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians like to focus on the words. “IS READY TO” and argue that the Law of Moses is still yet in force. They claim that the old covenant has not yet passed away. And, therefore, to THEM, Christians must keep all the Law of Moses in order to receive eternal life in the world to come. What they fail to see is the transition period from the old covenant to the NEW Covenant. They fail to see that the animal sacrifices did not actually and physically end at the cross. The animal sacrifices ended physically at the destruction of the Temple in 70AD. So at the time, the disciples wrote those words “READY TO” vanish away was BEFORE the animal sacrifices physically ended and the old covenant did indeed VANISH AWAY. For you see, after 70 AD, there was no more sacrifice for sins that is acceptable to God EXCEPT the sacrifice of the Son of MAN, Jesus.

My main point for this study at hand is that many things in the account of the transfiguration seem to point to the ENDING of the OLD COVENANT and the introduction to the NEW COVENANT. So then, to me, the true PURPOSE of the Transfiguration is to HEAR and OBEY the words of Jesus under the NEW COVENANT written in the New Testament.

Jesus never claimed to be God or even to be equal with God. But Jesus did say that he is the CHRIST, the SON OF the living God. For a deeper understanding of WHY I can no longer believe in the doctrine of the Trinity please read the studies listed under the heading “>>>A LIST OF STUDIES ON THE TRINITY<<<” And if you are a Oneness Christian I have many studies exposing the errors of interpretation by Oneness Christians in that list of studies as well.

I have one more point that I would like to present to you that is often overlooked. Perhaps the purpose of the transfiguration was an answer to the prayers of Jesus? What I mean by this is that the purpose of going up to the high mountain was to PRAY. I bring this point up because sometimes to most obvious reason is the true purpose and we are plainly told that the reason that they set themselves apart was to PRAY. Now, what some Christians have overlooked is that during the VISION of the transfiguration Jesus was being TAUGHT about his decease on the cross.

Please read Luke 9:29-32.

“ And AS he PRAYED, (Or AS Jesus alone PRAYED. For you see, the three disciples fell asleep) the FASHION OF (Or the APPEARANCE) his COUNTENANCE was ALTERED, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30.  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31.  Who appeared IN GLORY, (Please notice that the GLORY was also around Moses and Elijah as well and NOT around Jesus only) and (THEY, Moses and Elijah) spake OF his DECEASE which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32.  But Peter and they that were with him were HEAVY with SLEEP: and when they were AWAKE, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him”.

But they woke up in time to see the GLORY surrounding the VISION. I read a testimony of Kenneth E. Hagin sharing how he saw the GLORY of God fill a room in which his grandmother was PRAYING. He intended to walk into the room through the open doorway to enter into the light but he bounced off the light. He stepped back a few steps to run into the room but bounce off the open doorway even harder. My point is that he SAW the GLORY of God that surrounded his grandmother and even filled the whole room. Now, we can READ INTO what that vision and glory surrounding his grandmother actually meant. We can speculate and ask questions such as, was that vision for him? Or was that vision for his grandmother? But in truth, anything we would say would be our own personal opinion.

I shared that testimony so that you can see that when interpreting the Bible we need to STICK with the FACTS that are plainly STATED IN the Bible itself. We can give our opinion of what those facts mean but to say things like UNDOUBTEDLY the PURPOSE of the transfiguration of Jesus was so that his closest disciples could see his glory and know that Jesus was fully Almighty God and fully a man at the same time is WRONG! The Scripture itself does NOT support such a CLAIM! Remember that Moses and Elijah ALSO appeared IN the GLORY along with Jesus. Remember that the face of Moses had to be covered with a veil because of the GLORY of God. Remember that it was the FASHION OF the COUNTENANCE of Jesus that was altered and that one must read INTO the text to say that it was the whole being of Jesus was changed to match his inner divine nature.

Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.

Your brother in our Lord Jesus, the Christ,

Brother Mark.

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