“ A Preview of Things To Come”
Mark 9:1-10
The cross, the resurrection and transfiguration might be the most important events in the life of our Lord while here on this earth.
Why is this event so important, and what exactly does it mean ?
More Beyond !
Gibraltar. At that narrowing of the two land masses (Africa and Europe), there was a huge marker called the “Pillar of Hercules,” and prior to Columbus’ voyage in 1492, it carried a three word Latin saying chiseled into stone: NE PLUS ULTRA, which, translated, said, “No More Beyond.”
Coins, like stamps, can tell us about a country. They celebrate victories, praise founders, sloganize ethnic styles, and advertise scientific breakthroughs. “No More Beyond” was the standard belief of that time. No one would dare question the prevailing conviction that the western horizon contained nothing new.
After Columbus’s discovery of a new world beyond Spain, recognition of the revised outlook was pressed into its coins. Coins were struck with a simple Latin slogan, two words: PLUS ULTRA: which meant “More Beyond.” Coins in circulation in Florida in 1796, still had that slogan!
Verse 1 in our text has been, and is a troublesome verse to many.
The reason why is because what Jesus is referring to is so often misunderstood.
Many believe that Jesus was referring to his second coming, and are troubled by the fact that all those that were standing there have gone, and yet Jesus has yet to return. Some liberals in fact have gone so far as to say that Jesus actually erred in knowing when his second coming would happen.
However, we know this can’t be the case because Jesus makes no mistakes.
We err in believing that Jesus is referring in verse 1 to his second coming.
What he is referring to is his transfiguration which was fulfilled six days later, and which Peter, James, and John did behold. The transfiguration is then a preview of his coming, a preview of his kingdom. We can by looking at this great event in the life of our Lord get a greater understanding of his coming ! Let’s take note of some things from our text tonight:
1. The Appearance Experienced. 2-3
Matthew’s account in Matthew 9 says that his face did shine as the sun.
Luke’s account in Luke 9 reads that the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white, and glistering.
What the disciples are given here is a preview of his coming in glory !
Peter would later on write of this experience and would define it as such.
2 Peter 1:16-18......but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory; when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
John experienced such a unveiling of Christ on the Isle of Patmos.
Revelation 1:14-17 His head, and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire. And his feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword; and his countenace was as the sun shineth in his strength.
This event probably occurred on Mt. Hermon which rises to the height of 92oo feet, and in some places snow can be visible year round. As Jesus appeared, he possibly appeared under this background.
One day Jesus is coming in all his glory. He will not come as the Son of man nor as the suffering servant, nor as the lamb that taketh away the sin of the world, but as the Supreme, Sovereign Lord, and as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. And when he comes, the Kingdom will be ours to inhabit, to be a part of.....
2. The Associations Enjoyed. V 4
And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses. Why these two ?
What is the significance ? In Moses we have those who died..and in Elijah we have those that shall be raptured at his coming, and not experience death.
When Jesus comes in his glory.....the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.......
Just as Jesus was changed so too shall those he returns for...........I Cor 15..We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed..........
We are not burdened by this earthly body, but one day we shall be blessed with eternal.
Phil. 3:21 He shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto
glorious body.
Illust. When Charles Spurgeon was a young minister, he wrote the ages Horatius Bonor, requesting a picture, Bonar sent a picture to him, and along with it a note bearing these words.......Dear Spurgeon, If you had waited a little, you would have had a better likeness, for soon I shall be like him.
John Bradford (1510-1555), wrote the following words less than five months before he was burned at the stake for preaching the gospel
I am assured that though I want here, I have riches there; though I hunger here, I shall have fullness there; though I faint here, I shall be refreshed there; and though I be accounted here as a dead man, I shall there live in perpetual glory.
Just try and imagine what heaven shall be like. Think about the associations we shall enjoy.
We shall meet the O.T. Saints like Moses, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, David, Daniel....and we shall meet the disciples which have gone on before us.
And we shall be reunited with those that we love that have preceeded us into the kingdom. We shall have all eternity to formerly meet those that we have read so much about, and to reminisce with old acquaintances....oh but more than anything else we shall finally meet our Lord face to face, and we can sit at his feet, and talk to him just as Elijah, and Moses did here on the Mount !
Notice if you would what Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talked about.......Luke 9:31 they spoke of his decease which should be accomplished at Jerusalem. One thing that it going to occupy our time in heaven is the subject of his death on the cross. We shall be able to hear of all the details.
Joke:
The old mountaineer had lived a full but not exactly saintly life and now was on his deathbed. He summoned his weeping wife. “Sara,” he said, “go to the fireplace and take out the third stone from the top.” She did as instructed. “Reach in there,” said her husband, “and bring out what you find.”Her fingers touched a large Mason jar, and with some effort she pulled it up. The jar was full of cash.“Sara,” said the old man, “when I go, I’m going to take all that money with me. I want you to put that jar up in the attic by the window. I’ll get it as I go by on my way to heaven.”
His wife followed his instructions. That night the old mountaineer died. After the funeral his wife remembered the Mason jar and went to the attic. There was the jar still full of money and by the window.
Illust:
“I Know Where He Is Going”
Matthew Henry wrote a famous Bible Commentary. As a poor and unknown young man he wished to marry a girl whose father was wealthy and who did not approve of the marriage. The father argued that, although he was a good scholar and an excellent preacher, “they did not even know where he came from.” The daughter had a ready answer. “But father,” she said, “we know where he is going, and I want to go with him.” The father agreed.
Listen do you know where you’re going ? Have you a home in heaven ?
3. Apostle’s Excitement. Vs. 5-6
Illust:
It was Christmas Eve. Six-year-old Mary Lou was walking down a dark city street with her father on their way to the children’s service.
Her active little mind was filled with the wonders of the event she and her classmates were about to celebrate-the coming of the Christ Child from heaven to earth, to be born a tiny infant in a lowly stable.
Above them was the velvety blue-black canopy of heaven, Swiss-dotted (as it seemed to her) with an infinite variety of brilliant lights twinkling down to earth. Her eyes were fixed on the shimmering tapestry above as she and her father walked, silently but thoughtfully, toward the lighted church at the end of the block. Suddenly she looked up at her father and, with that rare insight peculiar to a six-year-old, observed: “Daddy, I was just thinking-if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, how wonderful the right side must be!”
Peter perhaps got a bit carried away here....but who can really blame him.
He had just seen a preview of the Kingdom.....he had seen the O.T. lawgiver Moses, and the great Prophet Elijah, and he had seen his Lord changed before his very eyes.....and man oh man was he ever excited !
He got so excited that he just wanted to stay right there !
Peter says, Lord let’s set up some tents right here, drive down some stakes. It’s good for us to be here !
When Jesus returns we shall experience excitement like never before !
Oh the excitement that awaits us in heaven....we shall be at home !
And we shall abide there forever !
4. Approval Expressed. Vs. 7-8
Suddenly a cloud overshadowed them....and the Father in Heaven expressed his approval for the Son. One day we too shall express our approval of the Son of God. Moses, and Elijah were now gone, and only Jesus remained ! In heaven the most important person that shall be there, and what will make heaven, heaven is Jesus.
One day we shall give honor, and glory to him that is seated on the throne, and he that lives forever, and ever. We shall lay what crowns we might receive at his feet, and shall sing a song of worship saying.....”Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created !
From S.M. Lockridge
My king was born king. The Bible says He is the seven-way king. He is the king of the Jews. That’s a racial king. He is king of Israel. That’s a national king. He’s a king of righteousness. He’s a king of the ages. He’s the king of heaven. He is the king of glory. He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. Now that’s my king.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my king? David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my king. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest idea in philosophy. He’s the fundamental truth in theology. He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my king.
He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleans the lepers. He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent, He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?
Well, my king is the king of knowledge, He’s the well-spring of wisdom, He’s the doorway of deliverance, He’s the pathway of peace, He’s the roadway of righteousness, He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory, He’s the master of the mighty, He’s the captain of the conquerors, He’s the head of the heroes, He’s the leader of the legislators, He’s the overseer of the overcomers, He’s the governor of governors, He’s the prince of princes, He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That’s my king. Yeah! That’s my king.
His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you. But He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, He’s irresistible. I’m trying to tell you, the Heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses [at his trial] couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my king. Yeah!
He always has been, and He always will be. I’m talking about He [who] had no predecessor and He [who] has no successor. There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. Praise the Lord! That’s my king. Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well. All the power belongs to my king. We around here talk about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah! And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory to ourselves, but the glory is all His. Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and when you get through with all of the forevers, then “Amen.”
Sm Lockridge
