"And he [Jesus Christ] said to them, 'I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.'"
In fulfillment of these words, six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and was "transfigured" before them. The account only provides a limited description of what Peter, James and John saw on that day. We are told that Jesus' clothes "became dazzling white" and that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. It was a glimpse of what is to come in the resurrection. The impact it had on Peter, James and John was significant. In this passage we are told they didn't know what to say they were so frightened. In Matthew's account we are told Peter, James and John "fell facedown to the ground, terrified." In Luke's account we learn that Jesus' face changed and his clothes "became as bright as a flash of lightening." Moses and Elijah appeared in "glorious splendor". A cloud enveloped them as Peter was speaking. It was such that we are told Peter did not know what he was saying.
I don't know about you, but this causes me to think of the future coming of the kingdom of God with power. This will be an event that will change the order of things on planet earth forever marked by the return of Jesus Christ from heaven. In Acts 1:11 we read of "two men dressed in white" who suddenly appeared with the disciples as they were watching Jesus ascend into heaven in clouds. They told the disciples Jesus will return the same way he went into heaven. Jesus himself described his coming back to earth in Matthew 24:27-31 this way, "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."
As I think of it, I am reminded of what we read in Revelation 19:11-16, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
The kingdom of God will come with great power! It will be a day this world will never forget as our Lord of glory, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords comes to claim planet earth, to gather his own to himself and vanquish all who oppose him! What a day that will be!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your theme of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor V. Fisk
trevorf@gracehill.org
(314) 814-8486
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