Doug M. Supporter Rescued From The Lion's Mouth

"Along with Yeshua, there were two other men from the Old Testament: Moses and Elijah. Why were these two men present and not others? There are two reasons. First, Moses was there to represent the Law, and Elijah was there to represent the Prophets. Remember, that the purpose of the coming of Yeshua was to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. In fact, Luke 9:30b-31 states:... Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory, and spoke of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

The Greek word for “decease” is exodos. It is the Greek word from which our English word “exodus” is derived and some Bibles translate the word as “departure”. In other words, the topic of conversation among Jesus, Moses and Elijah was the coming death of Jesus in Jerusalem. Since the death of Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, that is one reason why Moses and Elijah happened to be there.

The second reason why these two men were there was that Moses had died but Elijah had not. Moses was there to represent the saints that will be resurrected. Elijah was there to represent the saints that will be translated or changed into immortal beings at the point of the Rapture, without having to go through the process of death. These saints will change in “the twinkling of an eye” while they are still living.

The fact that the term exodos is used is significant. The Exodus of Israel from Egypt meant freedom and liberation. The reason for discussing His death—His exodos—might be for three additional reasons.

First, His death and coming resurrection would mean freedom for Yeshua from all limitations, for when Yeshua became a man, He was limited in His use of divine power. In fact, even His glory was no longer visible because it was veiled, and was exposed only in these few moments. Yeshua’s death would mean freedom from all the limitations imposed by the Incarnation.

Second, it would free Him from living in a world of sin. Jesus once said, 'How long must I bear with you; how long must I bear with this wicked generation?' The holy Person of Yeshua having to live and walk among sinful men was always something that weighed heavily upon Him. His decease—His exodos—would indeed be a point of freedom for Him.

Finally, the exodos of Jesus would free the believer from bondage to sin."

This answer is from the Messianic Bible study titled "The Transfiguration of the Messiah" by Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum. 

http://www.arunrajesh.com/BibleStudy/mbs044m.pdf

February 01 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Peter, James and John were the disciples that were called and taken to the mountain where He was transfigured and saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah which is written in the gospel of Mathew, Mark and John. In the gospel of Luke it is written the disciples were heavy with sleep (Luke 9:32) and heard a voice through the clouds that spoke to all of them (Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, John and Jesus) and were told this is my beloved Son “Listen to Him” and after they came down they were told by Jesus not to tell anyone about it until the Son of man be risen again from the dead (Mat 17:9). But we have only Luke who wrote that they appeared to Jesus to tell him of his departure from this earth. (Luke 9:31)

In the book of Revelation (Rev 11:3-4) we have the two olive trees and the two candle stick that stand in the Lords presence and this two candle stick is Moses and Elijah who are called “My two Witnesses” to whom Jesus spoke on the mountain where He was transfigured and this are the two olive trees and the two candle stick (Zec 4:3,14 / Rev 11:6) for these have power to shut heaven that it rain not “in the days of their prophecy” (1 King 17:1) and powers over waters to turn them to blood and smite with plagues (Exodus 7:20, 9:14) For Moses and Elijah to come back in the end times, they had to “witness the presence of the Lord as being the Son of Men and the Son of God in flesh” and to prophecies over the people (Rev 11:3) and testify (Rev 11:7) to the Jews that Jesus is Lord and Savior for your repentance. 

I believe Jesus came for this hour to be manifested for the end times, as it is written in John 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will “glorify it again”.

May 21 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would only add that Moses, although he had died and had been buried by God (as noted in Deuteronomy 34:6), was able to appear bodily at the Transfiguration because he apparently had subsequently been resurrected and taken to heaven, as implied by Jude 9.

August 07 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Great question, Eddy! When I research someone's question like yours, I try to find an answer with lots of Scriptural support.

Matthew 17:3 Moses and Elijah "The presence of these men might signify that both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) point to Jesus (see Matt 5:1; Matt 11:14). Either directly or by allusion, Matthew often compares Jesus’ ministry with those of Moses and Elijah (Matt 4:8; 5:1; 8:1; 14:23; 15:29; 17:1, 9; 28:16; compare Exod 34:1-9; 1 Kings 19:1-18).

"Law The first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Also called the Pentateuch."

-- Faithlife Study Bible 

Dr. Warren Wiersbe takes a more dogmatic approach: "The presence of Moses and Elijah was significant. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets."

But why though is this significant? "All of the law and prophets point to Christ and are fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:27; Heb. 1:1)." --Warren Wiersbe

August 06 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report