Matthew

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Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Here we see what some believe is a fulfillment of the verse just previous to this chapter. Remember there are no chapter divisions in the original text of the bible.

Here is that verse again:

Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

They had a glimpse of that Christ would be like when He returned to His Father and was again glorified. This is how He looks now if we were to see Him. His face would shine as the sun, His raiment is white as snow. Why He chose just these three disciples, we do not know. We can only guess. I doubt very much
that He was playing favoritism or showing partiality because that would be wrong according to the book of James. Perhaps these three were ready for such a revelation. Sometimes deep spiritual revelations can overwhelm some of us. Some of us react differently than others to the outpouring of God's spirit for
instance. Perhaps some of the other disciples would later have become exalted in self and ruined. We just don't know.

The bible does say that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established so Jesus did choose at least three to witness these things. Another thought is that perhaps the other disciples would not have been able to keep quiet about this revelation until after the resurrection of Jesus like Jesus instructed these disciples to do.

Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

My understanding of why we see Moses and Elias or Elijah here is simply this: Moses had died physically, we know that from the scripture below:

Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
Deu 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
Deu 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

We know that Moses died a natural death and that his body was buried by God Himself so that no one could make a monument out of his grave. We know from history and reading the things people do in history that they would have practically worshipped his grave if they knew where it was. This is idolatry
and God is leading His people out of any kind of idolatry.

So we know Moses died; but we see Moses in heaven in this appearance on the mount. So we see proof that there is no soul sleep. I don't see this as a vision that is future but a real event that transpired then and there during the time of Christ. Moses is alive somewhere in soul and spirit even though his body is dead. At this time he might be resurrected, we don't know for sure because some were resurrected when Jesus was resurrected and appeared to many.

Moses may await his resurrection when the saints are resurrected during the rapture of the church but he could have been among those resurrected at the time of Jesus' resurrection. No one was raised before that time because Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection and had to be the first one. There were people who were raised from the dead in their temporary bodies but that wasn't the same as the resurrection where we receive new bodies that cannot die.

Elijah went to heaven to be with God without dying first. He was a type of the future rapture that involves those that are alive and remain when Jesus returns for His faithful believers. So we see one person typical of the dead in Christ raised and the other typical of those who have not yet died and go by way of rapture.

Here is verses which indicate the Enoch and Elijah didn't die but was taken up to God:

Genesis 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had
this testimony, that he pleased God.

2Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2Ki 2:11 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.
2Ki 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of
his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

It would appear that these men were translated and did not see death, if that translation involved a new body that cannot die then neither one would be one of the two witnesses. It seems to me that the two witnesses have to be someone preserved in their natural bodies so that they can die in the streets of
Jerusalem by the anti-christ. Their translation might have just been a way to preserve the natural body until they had to die. All these things though are not given to argue over but just to provide food for thought or an incentive to study further on this subject.

There is speculation though that Elijah may be one of the two witnesses who is killed and then rise during the tribulation. If that is the case, he would not have received his new body yet but is being preserved in his old body. No one who receives a new body can die again. Some believe Moses is one of the two witnesses because he is witnessing Jesus here but if that was the case Moses would have to suffer death twice when the bible says it is appointed unto man, once to die and after than the judgment. Some say the two witnesses in Revelation are Elijah and Enoch who are two men that have never died yet. There is some that speculate the the apostle John never really died and may be one of the witnesses. Yet in Zechariah the two witnesses are seen in heaven back then which would indicate two from that point back unless that was only a vision of the future.

Zechariah 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of
themselves?
Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Zec 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Mat 17:4 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.

This shouldn't surprise us. Peter was always the one who was quick to say things or to make suggestions. He always wanted to do something and not just sit still in the boat. He was planning methods of worship for each one of these men. Yet we know that God is about to show Peter and us that we do not worship
men or make images of them. We also are never to make tabernacles or places of worship in their honor. God is the one we worship. We can worship Jesus because He is God. He is though the Son of God and part of the triune Godhead.

Mat 17:5 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.

This shows us truly that Jesus is bringing in a new and living way. A new covenant that replaces the old. Our faith does not stand in Moses or the law of God that Moses was given. Our faith does not stand in the works of Elijah or any prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus alone had provided the only way of
salvation and a new way of worship. True religion is not a nation or church-state type of religion but individual by being born again of the spirit one on one.

Now we worship in spirit and in truth. Now we worship as individuals not as nations or groups. Now we worship God anytime and anywhere as individuals and not at Jerusalem only. Salvation through Christ has become individual. Each and every person becomes a child of God by faith in Christ. Sins are remitted,
the Holy Spirit is poured out and we as individuals are saved. A new priesthood of all believers is ushered in and we no longer have to have a priest to intercede in our behalf to get to God. There is no other intercessor apart from Christ. Not Mary, not an apostle and not a prophet.

1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Glory to God for this great gift given to all who would receive Jesus Christ and be cleansed from their sins. We are all equal and all the same. We are all saints and all can be filled with the Holy Spirit. No longer is the way to God limited to prophets, priests or the Jews. Men, women, and children of all nations can have access to this new and living way. There is no difference, we are all the same in Christ.

God may choose some to do certain tasks such as leaders, teachers, and evangelists but all are equal. There is no big I's and little you's. We are not to have hierarchy and titles to lord over the flock. Hierarchy and lording over the laity is Nicolaitism. There are to be pastors, teachers and bishops but they are
to gently lead the flock in the right direction, not lord over them and make themselves higher with titles and degrees in order to appear greater than others. There should be no clergy and laity division except when God calls some to lead in order to keep out the wolves that scatter the sheep with false doctrine or cruelty. Woe to the leadership that does the false teaching or takes ungodly control when they are not supposed to.

Peter and Jesus both describe what leadership should be like:

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that
shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth
the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

We are to willingly submit to one another in that which is holy and good. We are not to idolize, exalt or worship any leaders. The leaders are not to dominate, lord over or think themselves higher than the flock.

Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

The fact that they saw Jesus only is significant. Jesus now is the only way and the one they were to follow.

This is why I believe God spoke and identified His Son and that they were to hear only Him. Who knows but the disciples might be the two witnesses since they witnessed this. Legend has it that Peter was crucified upside down and John died a natural death but the bible does not record John's death so we don't
know for sure. Jesus did warn Peter than he would be carried where he wouldn't want to be carried indicating his death for the cause of Christ. All this is just food for discussion though and not doctrine.

The main thought here though is that God was changing the way of salvation. No longer is it a state religion but a salvation by the spirit in which one is saved by being born again by the spirit as individuals as the Holy Spirit begins to draw them to Christ.

Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Jesus has a reason for all He commands so we don't know exactly why He forbade them to tell of this vision. Perhaps many would try to talk them out of what they saw, perhaps they would have been killed or persecuted before they had a chance to spread the gospel. Then too the other disciples may have been too
jealous to continue on following Christ since they had been left out. After they witnessed His resurrection as a whole group there would have been no jealousy. Who knows? Jesus took caution that His death, burial and resurrection did indeed take place and nothing hinder it at the right time or that nothing cause His death ahead of time.

Mat 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son
of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

I don't know yet if they understood what God was trying to teach them because they still wanted to talk of Elijah.

John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah but was probably a different person with a soul and spirit separate from Elijah. At least that is what I assume. He could have been the same person similar to what will occur during the tribulation when two witnesses will be slain. Yet it could be that Elijah himself shall come during that future event. Jesus said that he came already so that is all we have to go by. Some believes that since Elijah came that time in the person of John the Baptist that Enoch and John are the only ones eligible to be the two witnesses. It is interesting to come up with different scenarios if one can do so without arguing and being dogmatic. We can't be dogmatic about things we just are not yet sure of yet. I believe the closer we get to the tribulation and coming of the Lord, the more we will understand. That of course means those only who desire to understand and seek to understand for the right reasons and motives.

Mat 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

We would call this type of person a crazy person. This is demon possession or possession by devils. It could only come out by prayer and fasting which causes the increase in faith and spiritual strength that would enable a person to cast out the devils. Without faith we can't do anything. Constant prayer and fasting with the right motives and for the right reasons will produce faith. Fasting for health reasons or just to say we do our duty and fast, will not work. Praying fervently and from the depths of our spirit must accompany a fast.

Mat 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Mat 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Jesus said this probably because He knew that they were going to have to carry on when He went back to His Father. After the apostles died, others were supposed to carry on from generation to generation. These gifts died out for a while unless they happened in remote places that didn't get in the history books. They died out though because men let them die out, not because God took them back. The gifts and calling of God is without repentance. He doesn't change His mind and take them back. They were for all who believe, not just apostles or ministers. Peter said on the day of Pentecost that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost with the gifts were to be given upon all that are afar off even as many as the Lord calls.

Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

The kind of faith that will cast out devils only come by prayer and fasting. We don't pray and fast to earn the power to cast out devils. Fasting with prayer will chastise the soul. We set aside time only to seek God and build our faith. If we do it for other reasons or to be seen of men, it doesn't work. If we do it to earn or gain power from God it doesn't work. We fast to bring our spirit under subjection to the will of God and the spirit of God. It is for us to be able to hear from God and build our faith. It is not to earn points with God or earn any power.

Mat 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Mat 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Jesus told them many times that this is why He came and this would come to pass so that when the time came, they would remember these words and not give up and forsake their calling and ministry.

Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

Jesus in reality did not have to pay any tax on the use of the temple, the use of any land or to live in any country since He is the creator and maker of all things. All things were to become His. Yet He submitted Himself to the ordinances of men until the time came when the Kingdom would be given to Him literally. The kingdom of God within each and every believer was already set in place but the literal return and setting up of a literal kingdom was yet to come and still is as of December 11, 2009.

Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

This shows us that while Jesus was walking upon the earth, He had given up His throne and riches in heaven. While He was here, he left His treasure in Heaven showing us that we are to do the same until He comes again. We will be rich, yes, but only at the 2nd coming. Here we are to lay up treasures in heaven not on the earth. The prosperity doctrine is false and we need to get out of that stuff and back to the original gospel of Jesus Christ. The only kingdom now is that which is spiritual and within our hearts. Jesus did not have money to spare or he would not have had to get money from a fish. Some people claim Jesus was rich because he had a treasurer. When they did have money Judas kept the bag but it was not a lot and I don't believe they had it all the time. They were to depend on God every day and all the time to supply what was needed.

Freely they received and freely they were to give. They were not to go around taking from people and guilting people into giving to their ministry. God will send people to give when it is needed and to care for His ministers as needed. We are never to threaten, demand and guilt people into giving or paying
tithes like they paid in the old testament.

If a church sets up a tithing system to support a local church, that is not wrong unless they use Malachi guilt trips to do it. Malachi was speaking of priests who were robbing God by not using what money they had the way the law said they were supposed to do. They were robbing the whole nation and not carrying out what they were supposed to do. Part of the tithes was to feed the poor, another part was to support the
priests and Levites. The tribe of Levi was not given an inheritance with the rest of Israel and so they needed support. They set themselves apart for the service of the temple. It was the law that required the payment of tithes by those that owned land and grew crops to pay tithes with. The poor were never
required to pay tithes.

If a local church uses that system and they feel like God wants them to do it that way, that is okay but they must realize that it is to be voluntary and not mandatory. We must not promise riches for giving or curses if they do not tithe. That is bringing them back under the law that Christ died to free us from.

Paul and Jesus both covers the subject of New Testament biblical giving. It is all freewill and from the heart. They that sow sparingly whether it is giving money or giving out the word, will reap sparingly. Those that give much will be rewarded in spiritual blessings and their needs will be supplied. We are never promised riches in this life but in that which is to come. Some may be allowed to have things to see what they would do with them but others may not be given many material things. The same gospel that applies in the rich affluent nations must always apply to the third world believer who are too poor to give. God does not favor one over another.

God has better things for those that trust Him than the things of this life. When Jesus talks of a hundredfold he is not talking of giving but of those that have forsaken all to follow Him. I believe until He comes again the hundredfold has to be in the realm of spiritual blessings not material although material
needs will be supplied. The reason I believe this is the many other scriptures that warn of not laying up treasures here and also the message given to the rich man who would not sell his possessions. Again the same promises of God are for the poor believers in third world countries as well as the rich United States.
It has to work for both. Being poor does not mean that one is stingy or not blessed of God. That is a false teaching that has polluted the church.

Read church history by an unbiased source. Look how the Catholic church used to acquire riches by having people give to get their relatives out of purgatory. We are never to buy and sell anything that comes from God. How can we sell that which was freely given to us? Read how houses and lands are taken away from those who were faithful to the truth of God's word by those that were not faithful. The apostate churches use to think they had a right to take someone's land away if they went against the hierarchy of that day. Were the faithful who had their land and lives taken because of their faith, out of God's favor? If they were then Jesus and the apostles must have been out of God's favor because they were not rich. The apostles left all to follow Christ. Jesus left His glory in heaven to die for our sins and give us eternal life. He was not rich when He lived among men.

Yes, I believe in supporting true ministers who leave secular jobs to serve God. If we don't support them, they will not survive. Pastors and their families who do not have secular jobs need to eat just like we do but giving is not by force or threats. It comes from a heart that loves to be part of the work of God and loves to help those that are serving God.

Biblical New Testament giving from the heart is actually fun. We should never give to get or out of the fear of being cursed. Jesus died to free us from the curse of the law. Part of our giving though is to help the poor. That part of giving does come with a warning for Jesus said that "I was hungry and ye gave me no meat." To give to the poor or the hungry is to give to Jesus. This applies to His own brethren, the Jews too. Many will stand before God guilty because they saw Jews hungry and without clothing during the holocaust and they did nothing. I realize this is a judgment upon nations that turned their backs on the Jewish people but it can apply to any believers in Christ as well. Actually this teaching of Jesus can apply to any that the Holy Spirit applies it to.

We must not turn our backs on any believers in the Lord or we are actually doing the same to God. I'm not against setting up a tithing type of system if all agree but we must not use the Malachi scriptures to accuse people of robbing God. That was under the law. When Jesus mentions tithing in the New Testament He was speaking to priests that were under that law and were already paying tithes. He was not teaching tithing for Gentile believers that had no system even set up at that time. The scriptures used to teach tithing in Hebrews is also misapplied. Those scriptures are teaching about the change in priesthood. We no longer have the Levitical priesthood but only the eternal priesthood of Christ. Paul is the one who tells us about New Testament giving. Jesus tells us about giving to the poor.

Our true inheritance is yet to come:

1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Matthew 18