The Appearance of Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration

The transfiguration of Jesus was witnessed by Peter, James, and John, and it is recorded in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, and Luke 9:28-36; Peter makes mention of it in 2 Peter 1:16-18.  In addition to seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in His glorified form, Moses and Elijah also appeared, talking with Jesus.  Their discussion concerned Jesus’ coming “decease” (Luke 9:31) and subsequent return in “power” and “majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).  In this vision of the glorified Christ along with saints of old the disciples experienced a foretaste of the coming Messianic Kingdom (Cp., Matthew 16:28).

Considerable debate has occurred over why Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus on this occasion.  Some have seen in these two men representatives of the Law and the Prophets; others, believers who have died in faith versus those taken to heaven without experiencing death (Cp., 1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Many have speculated that since their conversation concerned details of the Lord’s return, the event of the transfiguration supports and strengthens the view that Moses and Elijah will be the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-13 who minister in Jerusalem during the first half of the Tribulation.  All these speculations are indeed valid.  However, and probably much more importantly, the vision of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ with Moses and Elijah, O.T. saints long since dead, reinforced Christ’s teaching that His own death would not prevent His coming Kingdom (Cp., Matthew 16:18), and that continued conscious existence follows death for the saints of God (Cp., Matthew 22:31-32).