About the Transfiguration

[SharonD]

I’m confused about when Jesus died on the Cross the gates of Heaven were opened. He had decended into hell to retreive Adam and Eve and all those who were waiting to go into Heaven (as I understand). How is it that before the Crucifixion took place Moses and Elijah appeared in glory, (Luke 9: 30;31?

 

[Verbum]

Hi Sharon,

In God’s world everything happens in the present. So people who died before Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross were saved through his merits, just as we are. (Jesus’ mother, Mary, is the best example of being saved before Jesus was even born).

Whenever we speak of “before” and “after” in God’s world, we speak in human terms. There is nothing wrong with this, as it makes it easier for us to understand spiritual concepts. The bible does it all the time.

Verbum

 

[Clovis]

First of all, the spiritual realm Christ never explained, out of the fact that we wouldn’t understand even if he had; the idea of definition when it comes to spirit is impossible. It was the spirit of Elijah and Moses that appeared, in other words it was their heavenly significance. Anyone who has the golden-rule in their hearts can prophecy because it is “the spirit of the prophets” as Christ said. Isaiah and Ezekiel were deeply concerned with injustice and pride, hence the golden-rule.

 

[Benadam]

This is my speculation on the Transfiguration event.

Remember Satan and St Michael argued over Moses body and Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, It seems to me that satan lost the argument for Moses body.If so these two were really not dead, their earthly lives had ended but they were not dead. Elijah and most likely Moses as well, were in a very priviledged state. Elijah especially since we know his body and soul had not parted, experienced the highest degree of sanctity of those who’s earthly lives had ended. Imagine these two who represent the Law and the Prophets as standing on a high mountain top waiting for Salvation. They are waiting for the vision of God.
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The Transfiguration was a theophany. The light that the apostles reported coming from Jesus’ body and clothes was the light of God. What the apostles saw elevated their souls much like what happened to Moses. Just as the vision of God in heaven beatifies the soul, the Transfiguration was a type of vision of God and it elevated the souls of the apostles to a state that allowed them to see Moses and Elijah. To Elijah and Moses the apostles were the ones coming up for a visit, a trip made available by the transforming light of Christ’s transfiguration. I think this is why Jesus told Peter he didn’t know what he was saying when he wanted to make booths for Moses and Elijah to stay. The cloud and the confusion the apostles experienced accompany the presence of God in OT theophanies.

Anyway, that’s the reality my belief system constructs in regards of the Tranfiguration.

 

[SharonD]

Thank you all for responding. This has been cleared up for me and makes so much sense. You are so kind, and I thank you again.

 

[savedsinner]

Well, as for Elijah, he was already in heaven, having been taken their on a chariot of fire.

2 Kings 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And as for Moses, there was an ancient Jewish tradition that Moses was assumed into heaven at the end of his life, and that he—like Jesus—ascended into heaven on a cloud:

Moses ascended in the cloud, was hidden by the cloud, and was sanctified by the cloud. (Babylonian Talmud Yoma 4a)

When Moses was to ascend, a cloud descended and lay before him... And the cloud covered Moses and carried him up. (Pesikta Rabbati 20:4)

 

[SharonD]

Thank you for your response. You and others have cleared it up for me and I appreciate it.