A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN - the Transfiguration is a moment for clarifying Jesus’ identity - God doesn’t want us to worship the moment. It’s a form of idolatry practiced by many religions. Just as Moses led the Israelites on the exodus from slavery in Egypt, Jesus will lead the entire humanity to depart from enslavement of sin. At Moses exodus, each family had to sacrifice a lamb and paint the blood of the lamb on the door frame as a sign of salvation. At Jesus exodus, our spirit is marked with Jesus blood as a sign salvation. That’s why today, we receive the communion to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and our salvation through the blood of Christ. Jesus is the Son and he is the Chosen one. Don’t put Jesus together at the same level with others. God said, “You must listen to my Son!” You don’t have to freeze the scene of the glimpse of heaven. Jesus is the heaven and you are walking and talking in heaven as you walk and talk with him.

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A Glimpse of Heaven

the Transfiguration is a moment for clarifying Jesus’ identity

Samuel Stone

Fruitful Life @ Trinity

God doesn’t want us to worship the moment. It’s a form of idolatry practiced by many religions

Peter made two mistakes with his statement at the Transfiguration.

First, he put Moses and Elijah at the same level with Jesus.

Second, he wanted to idolize the glorious moment.

God's voice corrected his mistakes. Let's take a look.

When I was young, I often envied the disciples of Jesus for having a personal experience with Jesus when he was here on earth.

I wish there’s a way for me to have an in-person relationship with Jesus so that I can understanding him better. I’m more of a visual learner.

It would be a profound experience to be taught directly by the Son of God.

Then I wondered, if I were one of the twelve, would I be like Peter, James, and John because these three seemed to have been given a special attention by Jesus.

You know Jesus always took them to important occasions.

I would be even more envious if I found out Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain and showed them his transfiguration without me because that would be an amazing experience to see Jesus in his divine form.

If Peter, James, and John came back and told me what they saw on the mountain, I would bag Jesus to take me the next day because I also want to have a glimpse of heaven.

Wouldn’t you all want to have a glimpse of heaven?

Let us look at this passage to learn how to enjoy a glimpse of heaven.

The passage begins with, “Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.” (verse 28)

It says “after these sayings,” which points to the context.

In verse 18, it says,

“Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’

¹⁹ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’

“²⁰ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’” (Luke 9:18–20).

Based on these verses, Jesus wanted the disciples to know who he is because he was going to the cross someday later, and they are the ones to carry on spreading the good news.

It’s important for them to be convinced who he is.

However, he didn’t want his identity to be public because the sooner everyone knows, the sooner the religious leaders would get him crucified.

He wants to train his disciples before the time comes.

But the disciples must know who Jesus is. Did they know? They were not quite sure.

The crowd believe Jesus was Elijah or one of the ancient prophets that has arisen.

Some people would have thought Jesus could be Moses reincarnated since Jesus fed five thousand people around the time of Passover.

During Passover, the Jews were thinking about Moses who took them out of Egypt. Moses also fed the people with manna in the desert.

When they put two and two together, they might be linking Jesus with Moses.

However, when Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

In their concept, the Messiah is a mighty warrior of God who would come to overturn the Roman occupation and reestablish the kingdom of Israel.

Then Jesus told them that he would be crucified. Obviously, they were confused.

They were expecting a warrior to save them, but Jesus was telling them that he would die. If he couldn’t save his own life, how could he save Israel? They were totally confused!

So, the Transfiguration is a moment for clarifying Jesus’ identity to these disciples.

Jesus is not Moses because Moses showed up in front of them next to Jesus. Jesus is not Elijah either because Elijah also showed up.

So, this resolved the confusion. Jesus is not some past prophets that returned from the dead.

“And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

“³⁰ Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:29–31).

The Bible says that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah discussed Jesus “departure,” which is about what Jesus has already told the disciples.

Even though no details were mentioned, it hinted that he would be crucified in Jerusalem and that’s how Jesus would depart.

The word “departure” also means exodus.

Just as Moses led the Israelites on the exodus from slavery in Egypt, Jesus will lead the entire humanity to depart from enslavement of sin.

At Moses exodus, each family had to sacrifice a lamb and paint the blood of the lamb on the door frame as a sign of salvation.

At Jesus exodus, our spirit is marked with Jesus blood as a sign salvation.

That’s why today, we receive the communion to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and our salvation through the blood of Christ.

Moses was also the law giver.

So, in a sense, Moses represents the law, and Elijah represents the prophets. The two of them represents the Old Testament.

When the disciples saw the three giants from history, they didn’t know what to do.

They want to capture the beautiful scene of the dazzling lights. The want to capture the glimpse of heaven.

Seeing that they are about to leave, Peter said,

“Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (verse 33c).

The Bible says Peter didn’t know what he was talking about, but his statement indicates two mistakes.

The first mistake is that Peter wanted to build three niches for the three spiritual giants, but his statement put Moses and Elijah equal to Jesus.

This statement might have reflected the disciples understanding of Jesus. They believed Jesus is the Messiah, but he is just like one of the great prophets.

Even today, many people believe Jesus is one of the roads to Rome, as in all roads lead to Rome.

The Muslims believe Jesus is one of the Prophets.

The Unitarian Universalists believe Jesus is just one of the many gods.

Peter has made a similar mistake here. So, it must be corrected.

The second mistake is that he wants to freeze the moment and keep it there forever. He said it’s good for them to be just like that and he would build them three dwellings.

God doesn’t want us to worship the moment. It’s a form of idolatry practiced by many religions.

Now, God himself voiced the correction.

“While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’” (verse 34-35).

God’s voice came to clarify who Jesus is, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

This statement sealed the deal for Peter. Don’t think about building three niches because the three of them are not at the same level.

Jesus is the Son and he is the Chosen one. Don’t put Jesus together at the same level with others.

Then God said, “You must listen to my Son!”

You don’t have to freeze the scene of the glimpse of heaven.

Jesus is the heaven and you are walking and talking in heaven as you walk and talk with him. Building a niche or freezing a wonderful time is idolatry.

Now it comes back to how to have a glimpse of heaven.

The passage begins by saying, “Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.”

To do what? “To Pray!”

It is during the prayer that Jesus met Moses and Elijah. It’s during the prayer the Peter, James, and John had a glimpse of heaven.

It’s understandable that we want to capture the moment and keep it forever, but God gives us a way make every moment a glimpse of heaven, “Listen to Jesus.”

That means reading the scripture and contemplating on it. Don’t just dwell on a certain moment or experience.

For example, sometimes on Sunday at the church you might experience a glorious revelation through sermon, or music, but don’t dwell on it.

Make every day a glorious day by walking with Jesus. The Bible says,

“If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 Jn 1:7).

God doesn’t want us to capture a moment of heaven. God wants us to walk in heaven at every moment by listening to him.

How do you listen to him? Study his words and meditate on it. It’s called contemplation. So, let us contemplate on God’s word all the time.

Until we meet again, keep cultivating a fruitful life because faith is futile without fruit. Amen!

Samuel Stone

Pastor  •  Trinity Presbyterian Church  •  North Jersey  •  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/364223-a-glimpse-of-heaven

THE PRESENT HEAVEN AND THE FUTURE HEAVEN - The present pre-resurrection Heaven and future post-resurrection Heaven are located in different places. The exact location of the present Heaven is unknown, but the future Heaven will be located on the New Earth. The present Heaven is a place of transition between believers’ past lives on Earth and future resurrection lives on the New Earth. Ultimately God’s central dwelling place — Heaven — is on Earth. Instead of us going up to God’s place to live forever, God will come down to live with us in our place, literally bringing Heaven to Earth!

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The Present Heaven And The Future Heaven

What’s the Difference Between the Present Heaven and the Future Heaven?

BY RANDY ALCORN 

People usually think of “Heaven” as the place Christians go when they die.

A better definition explains that Heaven is God’s central dwelling place, the location of his throne from which he rules the universe.

Many don’t realize that the present pre-resurrection Heaven and future post-resurrection Heaven are located in different places.

The exact location of the present Heaven is unknown, but we’re told the future Heaven will be located on the New Earth.

The present Heaven is a place of transition between believers’ past lives on Earth and future resurrection lives on the New Earth.

Life in the present Heaven (which theologians call the “intermediate” Heaven) is “better by far” than living here on Earth under the curse (Philippians 1:23).

But it’s not our final destination.

Will We Live in Heaven Forever?

The answer depends on our definition of Heaven.

Will we be with the Lord forever? Absolutely.

Will we always be with God in the same place Heaven is now? No.

In the present Heaven, God’s people are in Christ’s presence, free of sin and suffering and enjoying great happiness: “in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

But they’re still looking forward to their bodily resurrection and permanent relocation to the New Earth.

So, yes, after death we’ll always be in Heaven, but not in the same place or the same condition.

To illustrate, imagine you lived in a homeless shelter in Miami.

One day you inherit a beautiful house overlooking Santa Barbara, California, and are given a wonderful job doing something you’ve always wanted to do.

Many friends and family will live nearby.

As you fly toward Santa Barbara, you stop at the Dallas airport for a layover. Other family members you haven’t seen in years meet you.

They will board the plane with you to Santa Barbara. Naturally you look forward to seeing them in Dallas, your first stop.

But if someone asks where you’re going, would you say “Dallas”?

No. You would say Santa Barbara, because that’s your final destination. Dallas is just a temporary stop. At most you might say “I’m going to Santa Barbara, with a brief stop in Dallas.”

Similarly, the present Heaven is a temporary dwelling place, a stop along the way to our final destination: the New Earth. (Granted, the Dallas analogy isn’t perfect — being with Jesus and reunited with loved ones will be immeasurably better than a layover in Dallas!)

In the Present Heaven Do People Have Physical Forms?

Unlike angels, who are in essence spirits (John 4:24; Hebrews 1:14), human beings are by nature both spiritual and physical.

We don’t occupy our bodies as a hermit crab occupies a shell. We can’t be fully human without both a spirit and a body.

Given the consistent physical descriptions of the intermediate heaven and its inhabitants, it seems possible — though debatable — that between our earthly lives and bodily resurrection, God may grant us temporary physical forms.

If so, that would account for the repeated depictions of people now in Heaven occupying physical space, wearing clothes and crowns, talking, holding palm branches in their hands, and having body parts (e.g. Luke 16:24, Revelation 7:9).

Certainly, we do not receive resurrection bodies immediately after death.

If we have intermediate forms in the intermediate heaven (and we may not), they will be temps, not our true bodies, which remain dead until the final resurrection.

Will We Recognize Each Other in the Present Heaven?

When asked if we would recognize friends in Heaven, George MacDonald responded, “Shall we be greater fools in Paradise than we are here?”

Scripture gives no indication of a memory wipe causing us to forget family and friends.

On the contrary, if we wouldn’t know our loved ones in Heaven, the “comfort” of an afterlife reunion, taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, would be no comfort at all.

In Christ’s transfiguration, his disciples recognized Moses and Elijah, even though they couldn’t have known what they looked like (Luke 9:29-33).

This suggests that personality will emanate through whatever forms we take.

If we can recognize those we’ve never seen, how much more will we recognize our family and friends?

After we die, we will give a detailed account of our lives on Earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 12:36).

This will require better memories, not worse.

Those memories will surely include our families and friends!

Are You Looking Forward to Your Forever Home?

Though life in the intermediate Heaven will be wonderful, it’s not the place we’re made for, our true eternal home.

The Bible promises that we’ll live with Christ and each other forever on the New Earth, where God — Father, Son (eternally incarnate), and Holy Spirit—will be at home with his people:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. . . I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. . . And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:1-3)

This passage clearly indicates that ultimately God’s central dwelling place — Heaven — is on Earth.

Some, including N. T. Wright, argue that the New Earth shouldn’t be called Heaven.

But if Heaven, by definition, is God’s special dwelling place, and “the dwelling of God” will be with humankind on Earth, then Heaven and the New Earth will essentially be the same place.

Heaven is also where we see God’s throne, and we’re told that “the throne of God and of the Lamb” will be in the New Jerusalem, on the New Earth (Revelation 22:1).

Instead of us going up to God’s place to live forever, God will come down to live with us in our place, literally bringing Heaven to Earth!

God’s children are destined for life as resurrected beings on a resurrected Earth.

We should daily keep in mind our true destination, our ultimate home.

Let’s be like Peter and the early Christians: “according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of fifty-some books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. 

https://www.epm.org/blog/2015/Apr/22/present-heaven-future-heaven

TALKING TO LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN - As long as you are not praying TO your loved one or FOR your loved one (who needs no prayer now), but to God ABOUT your loved one, and your feelings, and your desire for them to know something, there is nothing in that which violates a Scripture. Just be careful it does not shift into anything that treats them as intermediaries or leads to obsession or seeking contact with them, which is expressly forbidden.

Talking To Loved 

Ones In Heaven

Can We or Should We Talk to Loved Ones in Heaven?

By Randy Alcorn

I love this painting by my buddy Ron DiCianni, for the book we did together, Tell Me About Heaven. 

As the angels carried Lazarus to Paradise in Luke 16, this is Gramps being transported to Jesus.

I’d like to address a question that came up in a blog comment.

I figure other readers might have read the question and may be interested, since I've been asked it many times over the years.

The question was, from a biblical standpoint, is it okay to talk to our loved ones who've gone on to be with Jesus?

First, would it even be possible for someone in Heaven to know what's happening on earth, and be able to hear us say anything? Many assume the answer is no.

But in Matthew 17, Moses and Elijah clearly already knew the events going on when they appeared with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.

In Luke 15 Jesus speaks of rejoicing in the presence of the angels, not BY the angels but in their presence, whenever a sinner repents, suggesting God's people in heaven rejoice at God's work in lives on earth.

To rejoice at it, they obviously must be aware of it.

And Revelation 6:9-11 shows martyrs in Heaven who are clearly aware that God hasn't yet brought judgment on those who persecuted them, and are wondering why.

So they know some of what's happening on earth.

Okay, so if it's possible someone in Heaven could hear us, is it right to talk to them?

First, there's a huge difference between talking to someone and praying to them, and it's critical we keep that clear.

When people pray to Mary and the saints, they are calling on them as intermediaries, asking them to intervene and exercise power in this world.

There is no biblical basis for this.

Since 1 Timothy 2:5 says Christ is the only mediator between God and men, it would violate this to pray to those in heaven. We're not to pray to people or to angels, but only to God.

But would it be okay to say, "I'm not sure you can hear this, Mom, but if you can I just want to say thanks for how you always watched out for me. I love you and I'm looking forward to seeing you again and talking and having you show me some special places there."

That's talking to someone, but it's NOT praying to them, calling upon them to do something, or to exercise power or talk back.

Seeking to call up from the dead or to hear from the spirits of the departed is a forbidden occult practice (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

But that's very different than doing what I just described.

Personally, rather than talking to a loved one, I am more comfortable simply praying to Jesus or the Father (there are biblical examples of praying to each) and saying, "Lord, would you please give my mom a hug, and tell her it's from me?"

Now I think my mom sometimes sees what's going on here and might hear this when I say it, but I KNOW God hears it.

And I trust God to do what He knows is best. Does that make sense?

I have some old friends in Heaven, Greg and Jerry among them, that I sometimes think of and ask the Lord to greet for me.

Whether He does that is His call, but my relationships with those brothers was a gift from God, and one day I'll see them again in His presence.

I suspect God is pleased with my sense of connection to them, and certainly He understands the bonds of friendship.

Jesus called us his friends. He is the best friend I've ever had.

I could see how a person speaking to their departed loved one, even if they're not violating Scripture (since they're not praying to them or calling on them), could become unhealthy or obsessive.

But that's not likely to happen when we're talking to God about them. He invites us to come to Him with what's on our minds and hearts.

Obviously your loved one is on your mind and heart. 

If your child or wife or husband or parents or best friend are with Jesus, God understands your desire to feel connected to them, and to want them to know of your love for them, and that you miss them and look forward to seeing them again.

I have every reason to believe God would honor the request to pass on our warm greetings to loved ones.

But again, that's up to Him.

It's one thing to ask God for something like this, but entirely another to insist on it.

We're the creatures, He's the Creator. He's the Potter, we're the clay. (And what a privilege to be His clay, as well as his sons and daughters.)

So, bottom line to the person who asked the question, as long as you're not praying TO your loved one or FOR your loved one (who needs no prayer now), but to God ABOUT your loved one, and your feelings, and your desire for them to know something, I think there's nothing in that which violates a Scripture.

Just be careful it doesn't shift into anything that treats them as intermediaries or leads to obsession or seeking contact with them, which is expressly forbidden.

Here's a picture of my Mom at our house, holding our oldest daughter Karina. Mom died just four months after our Angie was born.

I said at both our daughters' weddings, in the summer of 2001, that I believed their two grandmothers were watching from heaven.

And since Nanci's mom had been blind her last few years here, she was seeing the wedding in a way she couldn't have even a few months earlier before she died.

I firmly believe this is true, but even if I was wrong on that point (since of course I can't know exactly when God allows people to see events on earth and when He doesn't), I would not be wrong in praying "Lord, please tell Mom her precious granddaughters love You with all their hearts and married young men that do too. That will mean so much to her."

My guess is that Mom knows all that anyway, and that she is enjoying seeing God at work in the lives of our grandchildren, her great-grandchildren she hasn't yet been able to hug.

(It's odd to me that so many assume people in Heaven are ignorant of what's going on here on earth where the great drama of redemption is unfolding—wouldn't we think they'd be more enlightened, not less?).

Still, it doesn't hurt to ask God, the Giver of special relationships.

He is gracious and understanding of our thoughts and feelings and love for the precious people He has put in our lives.

God will grant us the ultimate gift, eternal life in His Kingdom through His grace if we repent of our sins and obey His commands .

To experience God as a personal, caring, loving Father, you have to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. You will become a child of God and begin the fulfillment of the reason you were created by God.

Say the following prayer:

“Heavenly Father,

I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You. I receive Your free gift of salvation.

Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.

I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).

I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.

Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again and I am now a child of God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now to help me do Your will for the rest of my life. I surrender my life to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.

Use me for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have been born into God’s family.

As a spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding on God’s Word – the Bible (1 Peter 2:2).

You must have a good modern translation Bible and begin prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of John or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.

As you read, ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?” “What do You want me to do?”

Also, you need to join a Christian fellowship where the Bible is taught and where God is truly worshiped.

God bless you as you begin your new life with Him!

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over fifty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. 

http://www.epm.org/blog/2008/May/2/can-we-or-should-we-talk-to-loved-ones-in-heaven