Lesson 100

LESSON 100 - Mark 9:1 - The Transfiguration of Christ (Part one)

1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9And 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 were risen from the dead.

1. Who were the "some standing here" that would see the kingdom of God with power?

2. Why did Jesus take only three disciples, and these in particular?

3. How does verse two relate to verse one?

4. What's a fuller?

5. Who were the two men who talked with Jesus?

6. What did they talk about? Look at Luke 9:30-31

7. What does this reveal to us about God's people whose bodies have died?

8. Did the disciples see and hear Moses and Elijah?

b. What is Peter's error in his suggestion?

9. Why do you suppose God let Peter, James and John experience this?

10. Why did Peter speak?

11. Had God the Father ever spoken to men before this?

12. What shows us the relationship between the Father and the Son of God?

13. From verse 8, what would be a good motto for a Christian?

14. Of what future event does Jesus remind them, as they come down the mountain?

Answers:

1. The disciples

2. a.The Holy Spirit told Him to take only these three.

b. It was a confirmation to Peter and the others of what he had confessed in 8:29: "Thou art the Christ."

c. Three witnesses could verify to others what they had seen and heard on the mountain.

3.Verse two is a fulfilment of the prophecy Jesus spoke in verse one.

a. His transfiguration was a picture of the power of the kingdom of God on earth.

b. It was a glimpse of what would be His resurrected Self in glory (Acts 22:6-11, 26:13, Rev 1:13-17).

c. Jesus' transfiguration was the partial answer from the Father to Jesus when He prayed in Matt 6:10 "Thy kingdom come." His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8 -2) would be other parts of the answer. His second coming and reign on Earth, and then the new Earth will be the last parts of the answer to His prayer of "Thy kingdom come."

4. Webster's Dictionary states a fuller is one who works with cloth, especially wool, to clean and thicken it by moisture, and/or heat and pressure. Many years ago, salesmen would go door-to-door selling brushes and products used in cleaning. They worked for a company called Fuller Brush.

5. Moses and Elijah

6. They discussed Jesus' coming death in Jerusalem.

7. People who have passed on to the next world can be seen, can talk, and know the future. Some, like Moses and Elijah, are allowed to make special appearances on earth.

If you will read Luke 16:19-31(paradise has since the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been moved from the center of the earth to heaven), you will find more evidence that those we call dead are still alive in the spirit realm. Man is a spirit who has a soul (mind, will and emotions-I think, I want, I feel) and inhabits a body. His body does not make him who he is. It simply makes him visible to others in this realm. When his body quits functioning, his spirit-soul leaves it and goes into the realm of spirit--either to heaven or to hell. The person is still the same person, just without a physical body. His soul acts as a body for the spirit and evidently looks similar to his natural body.

8. Yes, because Peter wants to make places of worship (v 5) for them and Jesus.

b. Peter thought he was doing Jesus a great honor by elevating Him to the level of Moses and Elijah, two of the mightiest prophets of the Old Testament, when in fact Jesus was higher and worthy of much more glory than either of those men. (Hebrews 3:3-6) God the Father quickly let all know that His Son Jesus was the only One to be obeyed and worshipped, honored and glorified.

9. He wanted them to see what was meant by the powerful kingdom of God. Read Mark 9:1 again. He also wanted them to realize Who Jesus really was (Matt 1:23..."They shall call His name Emmanuel which is interpreted, God with us.

10. He didn't know what to say, how to respond. When you don't know what to say, ask God to give you the words, if He wants you to say anything. Otherwise, it's better to be silent.

11. Jesus' baptism (Mk 1:11) was a time when God the Father spoke out loud from heaven to bring recognition and glory to His Son Jesus. God the Father also spoke in response to a prayer of Jesus. (John 12:28-30)

12. The word "beloved," the giving of the radiance of the kingdom upon Jesus, and the command "hear Him."

13. "Jesus only" What a wonderful phrase and motivation for what we say and do! To measure our thoughts and actions by the desire and intention to honor and glorify "Jesus only" is a great way to put Him first, to keep our focus on Him and to bless the One Who has so blessed us.

14. Jesus gives them another reminder that He will be resurrected after His death. His instruction about not discussing it with others is a reminder to us that, as we receive revelation from the Lord about different things, we should let Him indicate whether we are to share it with others. Some people aren't quite ready to receive certain spiritual truths. It may take more understanding and maturity than they have at that time. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in what you share.

They heard Him speak of His resurrection many times in the last days of His time here.