A CHANGE OF DIRECTION From that time Jesus

A CHANGE OF DIRECTION! “From that time, Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day rise again. ” (Matthew 16: 21)

PETER’S OBJECTION! “And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord. This shall never happen to you. ’” (Matthew 16: 22) “Jesus said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s. ’” (Matthew 16: 23)

TWO VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS! “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then give to every man according to his deeds. ” (Matthew 16: 27) (A COMING KINGDOM) “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. ” (Matthew 16: 28) (A GLIMPSE INTO THE COMING KINGDOM)

SIX DAYS LATER! “And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. ” (Matthew 17: 1)

A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY OF GOD! A GLIMPSE INTO THE COMING KINGDOM! “And He, (JESUS) was transfigured (metamorphosis) before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. ” (Matthew 17: 2)

TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS! “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ” (Matthew 17: 3) “And behold, the two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who appearing in glory (splendor), were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. ” (Luke 9: 31)

MOSES AND ELIJAH: WHAT DO THEY REPRESENT REGARDING CHRIST’S DEATH? Moses: Represents the Law Elijah: Represents the Prophets Jesus: “I have come to fulfill the LAW AND THE PROPHETS. ” (Matt. 5: 17)

MOSES AND ELIJAH: HOW DO THEY REPRESENT THE COMING KINGDOM? “For the Son of Man is GOING TO COME in the glory of His Father with His holy angels…. ” (Matthew 16: 27) MOSES: Represents those who have died before He comes and they will be resurrected! (I Thess. 4: 14) ELIJAH: Represents those who are alive when He comes and they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air! (I Thess. 4: 15, 16)

PETER’S RESPONSE! “And Peter answered and said, ‘Lord it is good for us to be here; …’” (This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me!) “If you wish, I will make three dwelling places here, one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah. ” (Matthew 17: 4) (Let’s make this moment last forever!)

GOD SPEAKS! “While he (Peter) was speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud saying, ‘THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED; LISTEN TO HIM. ’” (Matthew 17: 5)

THE DIFFERENCE IT MADE IN PETER, JAMES AND JOHN! “And when the disciples heard the voice they fell on their faces and were much afraid. ” (Matthew 17: 6) TOUCHED BY JESUS! “And Jesus came to them and TOUCHED THEM, and said, ‘Arise and do not be afraid. ’” (Matthew 17: 7)

JESUS ONLY! “And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except JESUS ONLY. ” (Matthew 17: 8)

PETER, JAMES AND JOHN: LOOKING BACK! John wrote: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we BEHELD HIS GLORY, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ” (John 1: 14) Peter wrote: “…we were eye witnesses of His majesty…when God said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased…. ’ And we ourselves heard this voice when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ” (II Peter 1: 16 -18) Whatever happened to James?

THE GLORY OF GOD IN OUR LIVES TODAY! “For God Who said, ‘Light shall shine out of the darkness’, is the One Who has SHONE IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE LIGHT of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in us, as earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power of God may be of God and not of ourselves. ” (II Cor.