The Story Revealed

 Mark 9:4-8 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 
 
The Bible’s last book is called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This could be the entire Bible’s title. Each Bible book reveals the Son in some particular element of God’s love story for humanity.
   Mark gives us a moment of God’s revelation on a mountain in Israel. James, John and Peter watched as Jesus became robed in his heavenly glory. In that moment the three men experienced their eternal future. What joy they would have known! And we also see that even the vocal Peter and the Sons of Thunder, James and John (Mark 3:17) did not know what to say, they were so frightened.
   The Bible repeatedly tells you that the people to whom God reveals his become very afraid when an angel or the angel of the Lord – often viewed as the pre-incarnate Jesus - approach then. God’s purity is so great, our sinful hearts and minds resist and react to his presence. Fear grips you when you realize you are in the hands of the sovereign God whose judgment determines your eternal future. You have nowhere to turn when you know his wrath against sin demands his perfect judgment on your life. What, then, do you do?
   It’s time to stand before the Son and confess your need for his mercy. You submit to the authority of the one whom the Father declares, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”  Yes, you listen to his call to the truth and pray for salvation with confidence. You know that because of the cross you can trust God’s grace to transfigure your soul into his glory: Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. God’s glorious revelation of his mercy turns your fear to faith. And now you can glimpse heaven. The  Spirit reveals to you the Father is well pleased with his Son. He has overcome the grave, and he wants you to eternally tabernacle with him.
   One more thought: How did the disciples know Elijah and Moses? This is one more way God reveals heaven to us. We can be sure that in heaven we won’t need introductions. We will know everyone. You can also understand that the Spirit was present, and he would have opened Peter’s, James’ and John’s minds to know the Prophet and the Law Giver. Think of this: The Old Covenant leaders met with the New Covenant leaders. The entire gospel story from the law, to the prophets, to the Savior, to the apostles was revealed through the six on that mountain that day. God did this for many reasons. One is he wants you to trust the evidence of heaven. He is very pleased to reveal to you Jesus’ highest glory and the depths his love.