And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering; 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 9:29-31
When things get rough in this old world, it’s comforting to look forward to our Heavenly home and to speculate what our presence in Glory will be like. We know about the wiping away of tears, of the end of sorrow, illness, and all discomfort. But apart from all of the things of earth that will be gone forever, we know very little about what Heaven is actually like. Our text today gives us a little peek into that glorious place.
No, the Mount of Transfiguration was not Heaven. But for a brief period, three citizens of Heaven came together there for a conversation. Our text tells us that Jesus’ countenance changed dramatically. His companions also were radically changed. And so was His conversation. These changes will also mark us when we reach Heaven.
We are told that Jesus countenance changed, as did his clothing. The white and glistering appearance of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah is the appearance of all of Heaven’s occupants. This we can look forward to, the taking on of a glorious appearance that fulfills the promise that ‘we shall be like Him’ (1 John 3:2). Is that not something to eagerly anticipate?
Just as Jesus’ companions switched temporarily from his sleepy disciples to two of the Old Testament’s long-gone giants, so too our companionship in Heaven will switch from that of the sorry unregenerates and the lethargic Christians down here to the magnificent presence of all of the Old and New Testament saints. Not only will we encounter all of the redeemed of earth, but we will be in Jesus’ presence, to behold Him in His glory, as He longs for us to do.
How we would love to have listened in on that conversation that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were having that day! What a topic! The death of the Lord Jesus, and all that His death has accomplished is a topic that we discuss each Lord’s Day as we remember Him. In almost 50 years, I have not found we are anywhere near exhausting the topic. For the ages of eternity, this will be the grand theme of Heaven’s conversation, as we seek to plumb the depths of the riches of His grace.
Look up, dear Saint! The time is rapidly approaching when our countenance, companionship, and conversation will be glorious, when we see the Lord Jesus in His home. -Jim MacIntosh