Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-02-04
THE TRANSPORTATION.
SIXTH LESSON or THE INTERNA.
TloNAL S. S. SERIES, FEB. 6, 1888.


H. S. Hoffman, Philadelphia, publisherl
Notes.-Six days, i. g, from the time Of
speaking the words in the preceding verse.
High mountain, probably Tabor, though we
do not know. TRANSPORTATION, changed in
appearance Elias, i. e., Elijah. TabeInacles,
tents. 0vershadowed, surrounded or shut
them in Sore afraid, or very greatly fright
ened. The vision, the things you have seen.
Restore, bring back or make as they were.
Listed, desired or chose to do. OF them, by
them or at their hands. OF John, or con-
corning John.
v. l. Is there something peculiar in this
specific statement of timel 1t is not the usu-
al custom of the Evangelists Commonly
their form of expression is ''after this or
'after these things But here tho time is
definitely stated. And was not this done 20
show that this narrative is the fulfllment of
the statement in chapter xvi, PSF Does it
not point the divine assurance that the trans
fguration was simply visible representa-
tion or object lesson of the kingdom! And
how glorious an illustration it was. Neither
Matthew nor Mark tells us why Jesus went
up into this mountain, but Luke tells US it
was ''to pray" And we know that OH all
the great epochs of his life he thus sought
communion with the Father.
V. q The course of the narrative seems to
have been this. From some cause, here as
afterward in the garden, these disciples
"were heavy with sleep" The transfigura-
tion had taken place; his heavenly visitantS
were on the scene, and their talking with
Jesus was going on, before they awaked.
Then the other events of the narrative took
place as here related. And what was this
transfguration9 Some bodily changel No.
Something wrought on him from without
To oil
through The same in this outshining of his
glory, as when in lowlier garb he assembled
the mountain. 1t was a change in appear
ance only 1t was ''the fashion of his
countenance," that was altered; i.e. Its
outward appearance was changed. His
countenance itself remained the same.
His raiment was not changed. 1t only
shone in the light 1t 'became white
and glisteningn - as every Opaque bcdy
does in intense light. 1t was the out
shining of his indwelling glory. Did not tn.
Schcchinah-the glory of the divine presence
abide within the tabernacle? Was Lot ha
the true tabernacle of Godl Did not that
glory constantly abide within himl AMI
what was TRANSPORTATION but letting Ills
glory shine forths If this is the true account
of the matter-and who can doubt it-how
wondrously the glory of his humiliation is
intensified.
W We have in this verse two points:
l. The two visitants, and
g Their talking with Jesus.
As to Ql we are expressly told they were
''two men" 1t was not an apparation. They
were not spirits. They were men-just this
and nothing less.
As to (2 Luke tells us of what they talked
1t was ''of his decease or departure, which he
should accomplish at Jerusalem" Doubtless
the death of Christ was the theme of the in
tensest wonder in the heavenly world. Angels
and departed believerS-not alike, indeed, or
for the same reason, still as really-"desire
to look into these things And here the two
men, representing the law and the prophets,
appeared in glory to talk with their Lord
about it. And the disciples heard them talk.
". 4. 1t must have been at this time-or
while they were talking-that the disciples
awoke. And what a vision burst upon them.
Jesus in his glory. Moses and Elias with the
splendors of the heavenly world upon them.
And the theme of their talk was their Lords
death upon the cross. Now on such scene
as this they opened their eyes, and such words
as these met their ears. And Peter, unawed
by both, broke out into this most extraordi-
nary proposition. Surely no one but Peter
could have done this And no one but a
of truth would have recorded it.
V. 5. Two things invite attention in this
verse, i. e.,
/. The cloud itself, and,
g The voice out of the cloud.
AS to o. it seems from Lulze's account,
that the cloud came upon them just as Moses
and Elias were departing. 1t was not an or
binary cloud. Would the disciples in that
case have feared as they entered into the
cloudn-or as the cloud came upon theml
Would it then have been called "a bright
cloudn-or a cloud glorious with inward
lighta
And as to e., Peter expressly settled this
question-if indeed. there could have been
question about it. He says it was ''the voice
from the excellent glory''-the voice Of God
the Father, giving honor and glory to His
Incarnate Son. 1t was the attestation of his
sonship. And as such, as the Incarnate God,
| they were in all their future ministry to hear
him. What he taught they were to affirm.
And his word must point every duty; and
settle every dispute.
v. 6-S. The vision draws to a close. Be-
| fore that voice, which then, they understood
not, the disciples '1sore afraid- fell to the
ground. The cloud passes, and Jesus-with
every trace of his indwelling glory shut in
4
| not to be afraid.
v. 8. Is the reason of this charge to 10
found in the truth, that this vision is fore
shadowing of the future of the church in
glorys As such it could not be understood
till Jesus was risen from the dead, and tho
| spirit unfolded its meaning to them.
Y. 10. The word ..sncn," seems to give
great point to this question Of the disciples.
It is as il they had said why then-in that
case, If the son of man is to rise from the
dead-do the Ecribes assert that Elias must
first comet In that case why should be
comet What is the use or purpose Of his
coEningl
Y. Ills. And in this reply two truths ap-
pear / e.,
4 THE coming Of Elijah, and,
q .uission Of John In It's relation to