Study of Matthew |
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Matthew Chapter 17
Here we see what some believe is a fulfillment of the verse just previous to this chapter. Remember there are no chapter divisions in the original text of the bible. Here is that verse again:
They had a glimpse of that Christ would be like when He returned to His Father and was again glorified. This is how He looks now if we were to see Him. His face would shine as the sun, His raiment is white as snow. Why He chose just these three disciples, we do not know. We can only guess. I doubt very much that He was playing favoritism or showing partiality because that would be wrong according to the book of James. Perhaps these three were ready for such a revelation. Sometimes deep spiritual revelations can overwhelm some of us. Some of us react differently than others to the outpouring of God's spirit for instance. Perhaps some of the other disciples would later have become exalted in self and become prideful. We just don't know.
The bible does say that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established in the case of accusing a criminal. Some believe this may apply to other things as well so perhaps and again this is speculation; that is why Jesus did choose at least three to witness these things. Another thought is that perhaps the other disciples would not have been able to keep quiet about this revelation until after the resurrection of Jesus like Jesus instructed these disciples to do. We could speculate many things but the truth is, we just do not know. The thing is...God knows and that is what counts.
My understanding of why we see Moses and Elias or Elijah here is simply this: Moses had died physically, we know that from the scripture below:
We know that Moses died a natural death and that his body was buried by God Himself so that no one could make a monument out of his grave. We know from history and reading the things people do in history that they would have practically worshipped his grave if they knew where it was. This is idolatry and God is leading His people out of any kind of idolatry. So we know Moses died; but we see Moses in heaven in this appearance on the mount. So we see proof that there is no soul sleep. I don't see this as a vision that is future but a real event that transpired then and there during the time of Christ. Moses is alive somewhere in soul and spirit even though his body is dead. At this time he might be resurrected, we don't know for sure because some were resurrected when Jesus was resurrected and appeared to many. Moses may await his resurrection when the saints are resurrected during the rapture of the church but he could have been among those resurrected at the time of Jesus' resurrection. There were people who were raised from the dead in their temporary bodies but that wasn't the same as the resurrection where we receive new bodies that cannot die. Elijah went to heaven to be with God without dying first. He was a type of the future rapture that involves those that are alive and remain when Jesus returns for His faithful believers. So we see one person typical of the dead in Christ raised and the other typical of those who have not yet died and go by way of rapture. This is what happened with Enoch also. Here is verses which indicate the Enoch and Elijah didn't die but was taken up to God:
God took Enoch to heaven without him dying as we see in the Hebrew scriptures chapter 11.
God is giving us a picture of what is to come for all believers. The future rapture or harpazo.
It would appear that these men were translated and did not see death, if that translation involved a new body that cannot die then neither one would be one of the two witnesses. It seems to me that the two witnesses have to be someone preserved in their natural bodies so that they can die in the streets of Jerusalem by the antichrist. Their translation might have just been a way to preserve the natural body until they had to die. All these things though are not given to argue over but just to provide food for thought or an incentive to study further on this subject. There is speculation though that Elijah may be one of the two witnesses who is killed and then rise during the tribulation. If that is the case, he would not have received his new body yet but is being preserved in his old body. No one who receives a new body can die again. Some believe Moses is one of the two witnesses because he is witnessing Jesus here but if that was the case Moses would have to suffer death twice when the bible says it is appointed unto man, once to die and after than the judgment. Some say the two witnesses in Revelation are Elijah and Enoch who are two men that have never died yet. Yet we see according to the verse in Hebrew 11:5 Enoch was translated that he should not see death. There is some that speculate that the apostle John never really died and may be one of the witnesses. Yet in Zechariah the two witnesses are seen in heaven back then which would indicate two from that point back unless that was only a vision of the future. These things though are fascinating to study, not argue over. Arguing ruins everything which is why the enemy of our souls tries hard to get us into arguments so that we avoid all bible prophetic teaching.
The two witnesses are seen way back in the book of Zechariah. We know this from Revelation 11. The bible is its own interpreter.
I love how many times God does not keep true believers who seek understanding with the right motive, in the dark but gives understanding to the simple.
This shouldn't surprise us. Peter was always the one who was quick to say things or to make suggestions. He always wanted to do something and not just sit still in the boat. He was planning methods of worship for each one of these men. Yet we know that God is about to show Peter and us that we do not worship men or make images of them. We also are never to make tabernacles or places of worship in their honor. God is the one we worship. We can worship Jesus because He is God. He the Son of God and part of the triune Godhead.
This shows us truly that Jesus is bringing in a new and living way. A new way of worship which is in spirit and in truth that replaces the old symbolic type of worship. Our faith does not stand in Moses or the law of God that Moses was given. Our faith does not stand in the works of Elijah or any prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus alone had provided the only way of salvation and a new way of worship. True religion is not a nation or church-state type of religion but individual by being born again of the spirit one on one. Moses and Elijah had their work and purpose that would lead us to the Christ the one way of salvation. Like John the Baptist, they fulfill their purpose and Christ alone is left standing. Now we worship in spirit and in truth. Now we worship as individuals not as nations or groups. Now we worship God anytime and anywhere as individuals and not at Jerusalem only. Salvation through Christ has become individual. Each and every person becomes a child of God by faith in Christ. Sins are remitted, the Holy Spirit is poured out and we as individuals are saved. A new priesthood of all believers is ushered in and we no longer have to have a priest to intercede in our behalf to get to God. There is no other intercessor apart from Christ. Not Mary, not an apostle and not a prophet.
Jesus is the new thing mentioned in Isaiah:
Jesus is the new way, the only way to eternal salvation and a life cleansed from sin.
Glory to God for this great gift given to all who would receive Jesus Christ and be cleansed from their sins. We are all equal and all the same. We are all saints and all can be filled with the Holy Spirit. No longer is the way to God limited to prophets, priests or the Jews. Men, women, and children of all nations can have access to this new and living way. There is no difference, we are all the same in Christ. All the sacrificial laws in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ. God may choose some to do certain tasks such as leaders, teachers, and evangelists but all are equal. There is no big I and little you. We are not to have hierarchy and titles to lord over the flock. Hierarchy and lording over the laity is Nicolaitism. There are others who believe the word Nicolaitans have another meaning but my view is that it had something to do with ungodly lording over the flock as Peter warned against in his writings. There are to be pastors, teachers and elders but they are to gently lead the flock in the right direction, not lord over them and make themselves higher with titles and degrees in order to appear greater than others. There should be no clergy and laity division except when God calls some to lead in order to keep out the wolves that scatter the sheep with false doctrine or cruelty. Woe to the leadership that does the false teaching or takes ungodly control when they are not supposed to. Peter and Jesus both describe what leadership should be like:
Why have so many turned away from these words of Jesus? We can't seem to resist controlling people instead of trusting in God's power for the salvation of souls.
We are to willingly submit to one another in that which is holy and good. We are not to idolize, exalt or worship any leaders. The leaders are not to dominate, lord over or think themselves higher than the flock.
After the disciples heard God's voice from heaven they were scared as most of us would be. However, notice that in every case where God's servants were afraid when they were in His presence or the presence of an angel, they were told not to be afraid. The fact that they saw Jesus only is significant. Jesus now is the only way and the one they were to follow. This is why I believe God spoke and identified His Son and that they were to hear only Him. Who knows but the disciples might be the two witnesses since they witnessed this. Legend has it that Peter was crucified upside down and John died a natural death but the bible does not record John's death so we don't know for sure. Jesus did warn Peter than he would be carried where he wouldn't want to be carried, indicating his death for the cause of Christ. All this is just food for discussion though and not doctrine. Also seen in Revelation chapter 11. The main thought here though is that God was changing the way of salvation. No longer is it a state religion but a salvation by the spirit in which one is saved by being born again by the spirit as individuals as the Holy Spirit begins to draw them to Christ. We should rejoice in this because it will include everybody who receives Christ no matter what ethnic background, what age, or what gender.
Jesus has a reason for all He commands so we don't know exactly why He forbade them to tell of this vision. Perhaps many would try to talk them out of what they saw, perhaps they would have been killed or persecuted before they had a chance to spread the gospel. Then too the other disciples may have been too jealous to continue on following Christ since they had been left out. After they witnessed His resurrection as a whole group there would have been no jealousy. Who knows? Jesus took caution that His death, burial and resurrection did indeed take place and nothing hinder it at the right time or that nothing cause His death ahead of time.
I don't know yet if they understood what God was trying to teach them because they still wanted to talk of Elijah. Perhaps the prophecy concerning Elijah had a double meaning, referring to Elijah in person and also John the Baptist. However, one thing I truly believe is that the closer we get to the return of Jesus our Christ, the more those that love Him and seek Him shall understand. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah but was probably a different person with a soul and spirit separate from Elijah. At least that is what I assume. He could have been the same person similar to what will occur during the tribulation when two witnesses will be slain. Yet it could be that Elijah himself shall come during that future event. Jesus said that he came already so that is all we have to go by. Some believes that since Elijah came that time in the person of John the Baptist, that Enoch and John are the only ones eligible to be the two witnesses. However, it does say Enoch was already translated. So much to consider but it is a great experience to ponder on these things. It is interesting to come up with different scenarios if one can do so without arguing and being dogmatic. We can't be dogmatic about things we just are not yet sure of yet. Like I said before, I believe the closer we get to the last days and coming of the Lord, the more we will understand. That of course means those only who desire to understand and seek to understand for the right reasons and motives.
We would call this type of person a crazy person. This is demon possession or possession by devils. It could only come out by prayer and fasting which causes the increase in faith and spiritual strength that would enable a person to cast out the devils. Without faith we can't do anything. Constant prayer and fasting with the right motives and for the right reasons will produce faith. Fasting for health reasons or just to say we do our duty and fast, will not work. Praying fervently and from the depths of our spirit must accompany a fast.
Jesus said this probably because He knew that they were going to have to carry on when He went back to His Father. After the apostles died, others were supposed to carry on from generation to generation. These gifts died out for a while unless they happened in remote places that didn't get in the history books. They died out though because men let them die out, not because God took them back. The gifts and calling of God is without repentance. He doesn't change His mind and take them back. They were for all who believe, not just apostles or ministers. Peter said on the day of Pentecost that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost with the gifts were to be given upon all that are afar off even as many as the Lord calls.
The kind of faith that will cast out these kind of devils only come by prayer and fasting. We don't pray and fast to earn the power to cast out devils. Fasting with prayer will chastise the soul. We set aside time only to seek God and build our faith. If we do it for other reasons or to be seen of men, it doesn't work. If we do it to earn or gain power from God it doesn't work. We fast to bring our flesh under subjection to the will of God and the spirit of God. It is for us to be able to hear from God and build our faith. It is not to earn points with God or earn any power. I will add here that some translations or manuscripts omits this verse and some say prayer but omit fasting; but prayer does definitely build our faith with or without fasting but setting a time of prayer and fasting would naturally boost the faith as we give our time to purposely seek God and not worry about the requirements of eating and going about our daily life.
Jesus told them many times that this is why He came and this would come to pass so that when the time came, they would remember these words and not give up and forsake their calling and ministry.
Jesus in reality did not have to pay any tax on the use of the temple, the use of any land or to live in any country since He is the creator and maker of all things. All things were to become His. Yet He submitted Himself to the ordinances of men until the time came when the Kingdom would be given to Him literally. The kingdom of God within each and every believer was already set in place but the literal return and setting up of a literal kingdom was yet to come and still is as of October 4, 2025.
This shows us that while Jesus was
walking upon the earth, He had given up His throne and riches in
heaven. While He was here, he left His treasure in Heaven showing us
that we are to do the same until He comes again. He submitted to the
laws of that day and paid taxes. I'm sure He would not have
submitted to anything that would have been sin but He submitted to
the law of the land at that time in order to fulfill what He came to
do, which was to usher in the way of salvation to all who would
believe. It wasn't time yet to take over the lordship of the world
which He will do at His second coming. The sin problem had to
be dealt with first. DC
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