On the Mount of Transfiguration FATHER gave explicit instructions and spoke the Words “Listen to My Son” thus we should heed HIS directive without exception. Prior to this, the focus had been on the Law and Prophets as the disciples had interaction with the Pharisees for this had been all they had to live by according to the Jewish faith and customs. WHO better to expand their understanding and elevate their mindset other than FATHER HIMSELF!
In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus spoke:
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Jesus had taken three witnesses, Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. These were to be the three witnesses according to Jewish Law found in Deuteronomy chapter 17.
Peter was there at the Mount of Transfiguration and later he wrote of this experience and direct encounter with Our Heavenly Father in his 2nd epistle chapter 1:
12 I won’t hesitate to continually remind you of these Truths, even though you are aware of them and are well established in the present measure of Truth you have already embraced. 13 And as long as I live I will continue to awaken you with this reminder, 14 since our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has clearly revealed that my departure is near. 15 Indeed, I’m passionate to share these things with you so that you will always remember them after my exodus from this life.
Peter continued to testify of his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration and nothing could take away that testimony. He had a firsthand experience hearing Our Heavenly Father speak concerning His Beloved Son Jesus Christ. I am fully persuaded as Peter is, that this is a primary Key of The Kingdom and we should ponder his testimony often for it will keep you “awake”.
16 We were not retelling some masterfully crafted legend when we informed you of the power and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we saw His magnificence and splendor unveiled before our very eyes. 17 Yes, Father God lavished upon Him radiant glory and honor when HIS distinct Voice spoke out of the realm of majestic glory, endorsing Him with these words: This is MY cherished Son, marked by MY Love. All MY delight is found in Him! 18 And we ourselves heard that voice resound from the heavens while we were with Him on the Holy mountain.
If we will keep this “key” before us and remind ourselves often of Its importance and implication, we will promote growth in our maturity as we study Scripture and keep It in perspective of this testimony: FATHER’S delight is found in the Words and actions of Jesus Who is specifically marked by HIS LOVE and HIS delight. Can it be any plainer than this? Peter continues:
19 And so we have been given the prophetic Word—the written message of the prophets, made more reliable and fully validated by the confirming Voice of GOD on the Mount of Transfiguration. And you will continue to do well if you stay focused on it. For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts.
Peter urges us to STAY FOCUSED and not allow ourselves to become complacent of what was said on the Mount of Transfiguration!
20 You must understand this at the outset: Interpretation of scriptural prophecy requires the Holy Spirit, for it does not originate from someone’s own imagination. 21 No true prophecy comes from human initiative but is inspired by the moving of the Holy Spirit upon those who spoke the message that came from GOD.
Peter attests to the importance of The Holy Spirit in our lives. Those who ascend in the revelation of Agape Love understand the importance of being led by The Holy Spirit moment by moment. When The Holy Spirit speaks to me and instructs me to act, no matter how inconvenient it seems at the time, I purpose to simply act without question or discussion. As I train myself in this manner, the windows of Heaven open up to a greater degree and I am blessed by this obedience to The Holy Spirit’s directives.
Paul understood this as well when he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 2:
1 My brothers and sisters, when I first came to proclaim to you the Secrets of GOD, I refused to come as an expert, trying to impress you with my eloquent speech and lofty wisdom. 2 For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed with one topic—Jesus, the crucified Messiah. 3 I stood before you feeling inadequate, filled with reverence for GOD, and trembling under the sense of the importance of my words. 4 The message I preached and how I preached it was not an attempt to sway you with persuasive arguments but to prove to you the Almighty power of God’s Holy Spirit. 5 For GOD intended that your faith not be established on man’s wisdom but by trusting in HIS Almighty Power.
Our faith is intended to be established by trusting in FATHER’S Almighty Power and not by the eloquent words of some Bible “expert” who impresses us with his knowledge of Scripture, eloquent speech, or lofty wisdom derived from his own logic.
I have been taken in by such speakers only to find there was no fruit to be found thus it turned out to be a waste of time. I would rather you benefit from my past experience than to go through it yourself.
Both Peter and Paul had glorious experiences with Jesus when He affirmed His Words to them. These testimonies were recorded for our benefit so that we would not be led astray by some masterfully crafted legend promoted by men who rely on their worldly wisdom rather than the supernatural testimonies of reliable witnesses. Let us also pay close attention to these firsthand witnesses as we continue on the Highway of Holiness and establish the Kingdom of GOD on earth.