The exact location of the Mount of Transfiguration is not certain.
A good choice would be Mount Tabor. It is 1,843 feet high and is located 5.5 miles East of Nazareth and 11 miles West of the Sea of Galilee. Another choice is Mount Hermon. It is 24 miles North of the Sea of Galilee. At its’ highest point it is 9,200 feet above sea level and is snow covered in the winter.
Mt. Tabor
Several things about the Kingdom of Heaven can be learned by examining each of the detail in the picture of the Kingdom that Jesus gave His Disciples.
Jesus
… transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light …
Matthew 17:2
The Greek word for Transfiguration is metamorfow, to change into another form, to transform
Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Isaiah 48:12-16
שׁמע אלי יעקב וישׂראל מקראי אני הוא אני ראשׁון אף אני אחרון
אף ידי יסדה ארץ וימיני טפחה שׁמים קרא אני אליהם יעמדו יחדו
הקבצו כלכם ושׁמעו מי בהם הגיד את אלה יהוה אהבו יעשׂה חפצו בבבל וזרעו כשׂדים
אני אני דברתי אף קראתיו הביאתיו והצליח דרכו
קרבו אלי שׁמעו זאת לא מראשׁ בסתר דברתי מעת היותה שׁם אני ועתה אדני יהוה שׁלחני ורוחו
This is apparently how He will look during the 1,000 year time of the Sukkoth (temporary leaf and branch covered booths). After the fulfillment of this feast we will enter the eternal state after the Great White Throne Judgment and the New Jerusalem comes to Earth.
He is seen again by the Apostle John of the Isle of Patmos.
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 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 countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
The Revelation 1:14-18
Genesis 1 And God said Myhla rmayw
John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
The Mountain
Zion Nwyu
David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 2 Samuel 5:7
There are many opinions as to exactly where and what is Zion. Second Samuel 5:7 says it is the original City of David which was a mountain like fortress surrounded by three deep, steep valleys. It was bordered on the South by the Hinnom Valley, bordered on the East by the Kidron Valley, and the western valley was called Tryopoeon Valley. The Tryopoeon Valley has been completely filled in by rubble from the many wars over Jerusalem. What is called the Modern Mount Zion was separated from the City of David by this valley and had no connection at all to the city.
In the illustration Jesus gave to Peter, James, and John and the many Scriptural references to Mt. Zion it is clear The Messiah Jesus will rule the world from the old City of David.
The original topography of the “stronghold of Zion” the city of David has changed. Originally there were three valleys surrounding the City of David. Much of the valleys have filled in and one is non- existent now.
The following photograph was taken in the 1890s. It is taken from the South above the valley of Hinnom looking down on the “City of David” outlined in green.
Salem, Jebus, City of David, Zion, Jerusalem
The City of David has had many names. The first mention of the city can be found in Genesis 14:18-19 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (The words “And Melchizedek king of Salem” is seen in Hebrew.
ומלכי צדק מלך שׁלם
The following photograph is of a Torah Scroll written prior to 1880 in Calamar, Romania. The yad (pointer) is showing the place where the following words are found: “And Melchizedek king of Salem”. He was King over the portion of land which would some day be called the City of David.
The only other time Melchizedek is mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures is found in Psalm 110:4.
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
The following photograph is from a very rare Scroll of Psalms. The Scroll of Psalms ceased to be written in the eighth century for public worship and they are extremely rare. The Lord enabled us to find this one to complete our collection of the entire Tanakh. The Scroll was written before 1985 in Israel and was used by a small synagogue in Jerusalem. The Synagogue said they would help us with the collection and sold the Scroll to us for what it cost to have another Scroll of Psalms commissioned to be written. In this photograph we are looking at Psalm 110 where Melchizedek is mentioned.
This psalm is about the Messiah and is quoted by Jesus in Mark 12:35-37 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?
Melchizedek lived in Salem which is a few hundred feet from Mount Moriah where Abraham offered Isaac.
Mount Moriah originally did not connect to Salem on the North side. This is where Abraham came to offer his son Isaac to the Lord.
The Temple sdqmh tyb
Only the north side of the City of David was not protected by steep natural valleys. In ancient time the city was usually attacked from the north because of lack of natural defense. Even as late as 70 ad when the Romans besieged Jerusalem they attacked from the north even though that part of the city was protected by three successive lines of walls.
In ancient times before Salomon’s Temple was built, this side of the city had a threshing floor which David purchased to build the Temple of God.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:20-23
… for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem Isaiah 2:3
כי מציון תצא תורה ודבר־יהוה מירושׁלם
This Parochet (curtain used to cover the Ark) has
Isaiah 2:3 embroidered in gold.
My People עמי
כבקרת רעה עדרו ביום היותו בתוך צאנו נפרשׁות כן אבקר את צאני והצלתי אתהם מכל המקומת אשׁר נפצו שׁם ביום ענן וערפל׃
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick:
Ezekiel 34:11-16
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:24-27
Moses
And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; Deuteronomy 32:48-50
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 1:9
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31
Elijah
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.
2 Kings 2:11
They represent us, whether we died in the Lord or are caught up to meet the Lord without dying.
(See the Feast of Trumpets) 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Voice of God
השׁמע עם קול אלהים מדבר מתוך האשׁ כאשׁר שׁמעת אתה ויחי׃
Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? Deuteronomy 4:33
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:8-9
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. Matthew 17:4-6
Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. John 12:28-30
It would seem reasonable, that God’s voice would be heard in the Kingdom as in this example that Jesus gave on the Mount of Transfiguration.
The Nations
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:1-3
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zechariah 14:16-18
While on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, the Disciples understood that they were seeing and hearing things that were an example of what they could expect in The Kingdom.
Peter understood the necessity of building a sukkah for the Feast of Tabernacles and he understood that this example given on the Mount of Transfiguration was the fulfillment of Tabernacles.
The Cloud
וארא והנה רוח סערה באה מן הצפון ענן גדול ואשׁ מתלקחת ונגה לו סביב ומתוכה כעין החשׁמל מתוך האשׁ׃
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Ezekiel 1:1-4
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Matthew 17:4-8
Jesus gives another Example of the Feast of Tabernacles
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Luke 19:11-27
You Are Important
God has given each “Born Again” believer at least one gift to do the work He has left us here to complete. You are important and your gift is vitally needed in the Lord’s service.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-8
Occupy until I come
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The living Word of God Jesus The Messiah came to Earth and became the perfect Lamb of God that took away the sin of the Earth. He was crucified, buried and rose again the third day. He went back to Heaven and one day He will come again to take His kingdom. Will you be found faithful? Have you done anything for Him? Have you used the gift He gave you?
For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
In the illustration Jesus gave us in Luke 19:11-27 two of the servants used their gift and multiplied what they had for the Lord. One did nothing for the Lord. To be a servant the person had to be “Born Again” and therefore a child of God, eternally secure and saved from the lake of fire. However he did nothing for the Lord.
Sadly, it is common for people to receive a gift and think only of themselves and not thank the giver of the gift. Here is an example.
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:
You are commanded to bring your fruit of your labor for the Lord to receive rewards for what you have done.
If you have been faithful in the very least you will be greatly rewarded. Perhaps here is the least you could do; since you were saved have you at least read the Bible through one time or do you care nothing about what God’s will is?
All the world has been given a choice, if they want to accept Jesus as the one promised to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden or not. If you do not want to have a Savior, that is your choice, but The Savior is absolutely necessary for each person to enter the Kingdom of God. Without this Savior, you will remain lost.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Kingdom
מלכותך מלכות כל עלמים וממשׁלתך בכל דור ודור׃
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:11-13
This ends the temporary part of the Kingdom which will last only 1,000 years before it is changed. These small temporary booths will be done away with and the New Jerusalem will come to Earth.
There is a part of the Kingdom that will change, from great to Wonderful.
