Transfiguration Bible Study

Written by Glen Dawursk, Jr. -- www.yuthguy.com

Exodus: Book Synopsis

While Genesis concentrated predominately upon the family of Abraham and his descendants, Exodus’ focus is upon the “redemption” of a nation of chosen people – namely, Israel. Exodus comes from the Greek words for “out,” “departure,” and “exit”. This is appropriate as it describes the departure of the Children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt and of the “covenant” relationship they had with their God.

Text Box: The book of Exodus was written by Moses (17:14; 24:4; 34:27) as part of the “Law” or Pentateuch, one of the first five books of the Torah and is included in the Old Testament cannon. It is believed that the Exodus took place about 1446 BC (1 Kings 6:1). It clearly points to God’s fulfillment of several promises and gives credibility to the ones still to be fulfilled. Someday, if we maintain our relationship with God while here on earth, we too will experience a “Canaan” eternally with Him in heaven.

Text Box: Exodus can be split into two sections: the first dealing with the historical aspects of the nation or “church” of Israel and the second half dealing with the “laws” or regulations for the church.

Read -- Exodus 24:12, 15-18

Exodus 24 specifically speaks to the _______ and glory of God and His desire for a relationship with His people.
It is here that Moses experiences the “________” of God on the mountain.
In the first verses, we immediately see the “grace” of God as He willingly enters into a ___________ with His people.
The ________ on the altar symbolizes God’s part of the covenant.
The sprinkling upon the people symbolizes their part of the covenant – their __________to God.

However, the blood that was sprinkled upon the altar, book and people could only assure the salvation of God’s people within the promise that Jesus would fulfill it upon the cross. God already knew that His people could not obey His laws. He had a plan from the beginning to assure His relationship with His people. God’s grace or gospel message is even sprinkled within the Law He gave them.

In verse 12 through 18, we see that God presents Himself with a “_______ and _______” show.

His presence is not simply a quiet and hidden event, but instead His presence is one of “spectacle” and a manifestation of His greatness. How amazing the faith of Moses, that he willingly trusted God’s invitation to join Him on the mountain. What fear and intrepidation most people would feel in the presence of God. It is here that God finalizes the covenant deal by putting His ‘laws” into writing. Offering two copies – as any good Jewish contract would (Exodus 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:1).

In verse 18 we see that Moses stayed on the mountain for ____ days and ___ nights.
Jesus, a sort of second Moses who would again “deliver” God’s people from bondage, also fasted for ____ days and nights (Matthew 4:2; Exodus 34:28).

Moses was the “mediator” between God and man. Jesus was also the mediator for the New Covenant.

Just as interesting is the fact that the church celebrated a meal as part of the covenant. In 24:11, we see the “covenant meal” spoke about in Genesis (26:30; 31:54) being celebrated here also.

There is a direct connection with the Lord’s Supper celebrating the “______ Covenant” in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:25-26).
In one, they celebrate their _______ to fulfill the covenant (Law) and in the other, we celebrate _______’s fulfillment of our obligations (Gospel).

In both, it is God who inscribes the message of law on the tablet (and on our hearts) and prescribes Himself as the only fulfillment. For just as Moses attempted to “carry” God’s law (he too broke it coming down from God’s presence on the mountain), we are also not able to meet or maintain the glory of God. Only God can; God does it all.

As we experience glimpses of God’s glory in our life -- mountain top experiences – nothing will ever compare to the ultimate glory that will be ours on the “eternal mountain top,” heaven. I can imagine Moses telling God, “Do I have to go back? Can’t I just stay up here with you?” Who would want to leave the “glory” and presence of God?

Matthew: Book Synopsis

Matthew (also called Levi) was originally a tax collector or “publican.” While himself a Jew, he specifically worked for the Roman government and therefore was hated by most Jews and was called a “sinner” or outcast (Matthew 9:10,11; Mark 2:15,16; Luke 5:30).

Most scholars feel that Mathew was the first of the New Testament gospels written possibly around 50-60 AD in Palestine. He wrote specifically for the Jews and made numerous references to Jewish prophecies fulfilled by the “Messianic King,” Jesus.

It is clearly an evangelical work with heavy emphasis on the grace and forgiveness of God available through believing in Jesus.

Read Matthew 17:1-9

Text Box:

1. The "transfiguration" is the revelation of the _____________ of the Son of God. It will be fully revealed to us at the judgment.

2. There are just ___days between Peter's confession of faith in Matthew 16:13-20 and the transfiguration episode or ____ days total (including the first and last days) as is recorded by Luke 9:28. ____ days are often used to refer to a week in the Greek.

3. Peter, James and John are the same disciples who accompanied Jesus were very ____________ (Acts 3:1) and were present with Jesus at the healing of Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:51), at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33) and here.

4. We are not sure of where this took place, but in Matthew 16:13, Peter's Confession, it mentions Caesarea Philippi which was southwest of Mount Hermon. Tradition has said that Mount _____________ was the location, but scholars feel Hermon is more probable because it is higher and closer than Tabor.

5. Luke says the Jesus and the disciples went there to _____________.

6. Transfigured means that Jesus' appearance ____________. It is the climax of Christ's Epiphany (His revealing or "shining" on the world).

7. Transfigured comes from the Greek word "metamorphosis" which means to be changed in______________.

8. ________________ appearance was "like the sun", "white as light" (Matt. 17:2), "bright as a flash of lightning" (Luke 9:29), and "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them" (Mark 9:3).

9. ____________ represented the old covenant and the hope for a savior that Jesus fulfilled.

10. Malachi 4:5-6 calls ____________ the "restorer of all things."

11. This event symbolizes Jesus' fulfillment of His claim in Matthew 5:17. The Jews often referred to the scriptures as "The __________ and the Prophets." Together we have the Lawgiver, the Prophet and the fulfillment of them both, the Messiah.

12. The three talked about Jesus' ____________ or "departure". Exodus is the Greek word used in Luke 9:31.

13. __________ means "(my) teacher" in Hebrew.

14. Text Box: Peter may have wanted to set up tents as a "place of meeting" as the Israelites did in the Old Testament. This was where God _______________ to His leaders. Check out Exodus 29:42.

15. Luke 9:32 says Peter and his companions were "________________." Why is it whenever something significant happens to Jesus, the disciples want to fall asleep? What would we have done?

16. The ______________ of God the Father happens three times in the Gospels: at Jesus' Baptism (Luke 3:22), here at His transfiguration, and also while Jesus visited the temple before His passion (John 12:28).

Text Box: 2 Peter: Book Synopsis

The second epistle of Peter has been questioned for centuries as to whether Peter wrote it or possibly Jude. Some scholars have questioned its authorship, but its significance to the church is relevant.

The letter speaks specifically to “false teachers” whose way of life and cynicism about Christ’s return brought doubt to the church. The connection with the first epistle seems to be apparent as they both speak to the blessings God has given His church. In this letter, they are use these blessings to stand up against the wickedness of false teaching and the church is to look forward to the “glory” being prepared for them in heaven.

Read 2 Peter1:16-21

Peter clearly takes aim at the ________ teachers in verse 16.
Here he attacks their “___________ stories” which he refers to also in 2:3.
Their false “stories” are about the “_______” of Jesus.
Peter here says that the truth he shares is based upon his “___________” account of the Transfiguration (“majesty”) of Jesus detailed in Matthew 17:1-8.
Peter chooses to build his case further by saying that the Old Testament ___________foretold (Acts 3:18) of this glory of God.
The words “more” certain can also be translated as “______” certain. There was no doubt in Peter’s mind of the fulfillment of prophecy.
In verse 17, Peter refers to heaven as the “___________ glory” from where God the Father spoke.
He implies that the glory they witnessed on earth was a foretelling of the “majestic glory” ___________would see in heaven (1 Peter 1:11).
In 20 and 21, we understand that no prophecy was intended or caused by_________.
Instead, it has always originated and was “____________” from God for His church (2 Timothy 3:16).

Note also that the words in verse 21 show us that God’s “inspiration” of scripture was not done as simply a “robot” cloning every word from God’s mouth. Instead, the verse implies a “cooperative effort:” God’s content; man’s syntax.

Answers