Tuesday, October 27, 2026

PT-3 “Previewing the Second Coming” (Luke 9:27-36)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/27/2026 8:35 PM

My Worship Time                                                 Focus: PT-3 “Previewing the Second Coming”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                 Reference:  Luke 9:27-36

            Message of the verses:  “27 But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” 28 About eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter, John, and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. 33 And as these two men were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; and let’s make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34 But while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.”

            “Still, scoffers question why anyone should believe Jesus’ promise to return.  After all, nearly two thousand years have elapsed since His death. ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’ they demand, ‘For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation’’ (2 Peter 3:4).  The same skepticism faced the Old Testament prophets when they predicted events in the distant future.  But they also predicted near events, which dispelled skepticism when they came to pass, giving evidence that their future prophecies would also be fulfilled.

            “In this section Jesus followed the pattern of the Old Testament prophets.  Having promised His glorious return in v. 26, which would not come in their day, He promises an event to happen immediately to verify His believability.  He told His hearers, ‘But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here (identified in the next verse as Peter, John, and James) who will not taste death (a Hebrew colloquial expression for dying) until they see the kingdom of God.’  The preview glimpse they would receive of His divine nature to be fully  revealed at His return was a gift to encourage their weak faith.  Thus some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.  (Matthew (17:1) and (Mark 9:2) place the transfiguration six days after the Lord spoke these words.  There is no contradiction between their accounts and Luke’s; the latter merely bookended the six days by adding the day Jesus made this statement the actual day of the transfiguration.”

(Matthew (17:1)

“1 ¶  And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”

(Mark 9:2)

“2  And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,”

            “Jesus took along Peter and John and James since those three men, along with Andrew, made up the innermost circle of the apostles (8:51; Mark 14:33).”

(8:51; Mark 14:33)

“51  And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.”

“33  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.”

“Jesus’ choice of three men reflects the law’s requirement that ‘on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed’ (Deut. 19:15; cf. Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28).”

(Deut. 19:15; cf. Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28)

“15  "A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”

“16  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“1 ¶  This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“19  Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“28  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“The apostles had been devastated by Jesus’ prediction of His death (9:21-22) and the possibility of their own martyrdoms (vv. 23-24).”

(9:21-22)

“21  And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22  saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

(vv. 23-24)

“23  And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

“Matthew (16:22-23) and Mark (8:32-33) tell us Peter rebuked Jesus for even suggesting such plans, for which he was severely rebuked by his Lord.”

(Matt.16:22-23)

“22  And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23  But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Mark (8:32-33)

“32  And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33  But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

“It was extremely difficult to reconcile those unexpected and undesired predictions with their messianic views and the Lord’s promised glory (v. 26).”

(v. 26)

“26  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

“The amazing event that Peter, John, and James were about to witness was designed as a help to reinforce their faith in Jesus’ glory and kingdom promises.

            “They had been waiting and hoping for the coming of the promised kingdom since they first began to follow Jesus.  They had seen the power of the kingdom every time the King cast out demons, demonstrated control over nature, healed the sick, or raised the dead.  They had also experienced divine power operating through them (9:1).”

(9:1)

“1 ¶  And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,”

“But what Peter, James, and John were about to experience would go beyond merely observing the signs that point to the kingdom; they would actually briefly enter the kingdom itself.

            “In preparation for this glorious event, Jesus took the three apostles with Him and went up on the mountain to pray.  On that unnamed mountain in Galilee, in the greatest revelation in His lifetime of who He truly is, Jesus’ glory was manifested in four ways:  the Son’s transformation, the saint’s association, the sleepers’ suggestion, and the Sovereign God’s revelation.”

10/27/2026 9:17 PM

 

 

 

           

 

No comments:

Post a Comment