Appearances and Apparitions-Mark 9:1-9

TUESDAY

Highlights

There are no such things as ghosts... or witches! We do not become Angels when we die! Ancient Aliens did not build our previous civilizations! And, Elvis Presley is not hiding in Argentina!

Today's story is from Mark 9:1-9. This coming Sunday's Worship theme is the Transfiguration of Christ. The Transfiguration story is about God, Moses the Law-Giver, and Elijah the Prophet acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Messiah, Lord, and Savior. The point of the Transfiguration is to take the most prominent characters from the Old Testament (Old Covenant) and show them recognizing Jesus as the ENDPOINT OF OUR FAITH. In other words, the Transfiguration is ONE means in which God is affirming Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and  the Prophets.

Through the week I will also introduce the idea of a Theophany and a Christophany. In short, they are Angelic appearances of God/Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament. Arguably, when you see the capitalized "Angel of the Lord," this is a Theophany or Christophany.

In addition, during the Transfiguration Jesus' face glowed. This is similar to Moses face glowing after receiving the Ten Commandments. We will explore this passage, Exodus 34:29-35 well later in the week.

In-Depth

In this week's passage, Mark 9:1-9, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the top of a HIGH mountain to meet Moses and Elijah! Pretty cool since Moses would have been dead for 1,300 years and Elijah for at least 750 years! The big question I have, among others discussed below is, "How would anyone know it was Moses and Elijah?" Now Jesus would know since Jesus is pre-eternal and God. This is just one aspect the demonstrates His divinity.

We do not know which mountain! Tradition would have it be Mount Tabor, BUT THIS IS NOT CERTAIN! And, for good reason! Some people might want to build an alter on this site. The fallen nature of humans would then make the site and not God the object of worship. After all, the disciples started to do this very things...

(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."

The disciples made a couple of mistakes in their theology. First, Moses and Elijah ARE NOT equivalents of JESUS! Jesus is God! Second, Peter wanted to do what humankind always does. Let's make the object sacred instead of the Lord. As a matter of note, Mount Tabor contains the Church of the Transfiguration even though we HAVE NO IDEA what mountain Jesus' Transfiguration took place.

Live appearances of the dead appear in the Bible. God is sovereign and GOD ONLY CAN DO whatever God sees appropriate to confirm Jesus and His Gospel.

APPLICATION NOTE: Mediums are phonies! They are folks who are very good at reading your body language and looking up information on Google. Sorry to bust anyone's bubble. Supposed mediums cannot talk to the dead any more than you and I can. If you think you can talk to the dead, then you better "up"

 your medication. Well, hold on a second. I talk to my Dad all the time. However, if Dad ever answers back I will "up" my own medication. Mediums like the "Long Island Medium, John Edwards, or Tyler Henry CANNOT TALK TO ANYONE IN THE AFTER LIFE. It is PAGAN and NOT CHRISTIAN to believe in mediums! At best, these folks have deceived themselves and at worst they are con-artists.

The Real McCoy or Apparitions?

Now back to the Transfiguration with Moses, Elijah and Jesus. These appearances ARE NOT apparitions! An apparition is a ghost-like image of a person. There is no such thing! So, don't worry! Your dead relatives ARE NOT running around the house or farm! They have better things to do! However, we are right to ask some very interesting questions:

1. Where are the dead being kept?
2. Moses and Elijah's bodies were evidently recognizable, as was Jesus body after the resurrection, so will we be recognizable in the after-life  to each other? 
3. How is the body constructed? Can I touch it!
4. Will my after-life body be the good looking 20 year old Pastor Jim or the old broken down Pastor Jim?
5. Do we keep aging!
6. The questions are endless!

Even the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:35-38 suggests he does not know what form our bodies will have...

(35) But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? (36) How foolish! What you sow does not comes to life unless it dies, (37) When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of what or of something else. (38) But God give it a body as God has determined, and each kind of seed God gives it's own body.

Therefore, we don't know 'for sure' much of anything regarding our body during and after the after-life. Other than the examples provided in the Scriptures. However, we must be careful! Just because Jesus maintains His crucifixion wounds after being resurrected and ascended to heaven, does not mean we will as well. Christ very well may remain with His wounds throughout all eternity, see Revelation 5:6a as a reminder to all the faithful...

(6) Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne..."

This comment from eternity is mirrored in John 20:26-27 in Jesus' body following the resurrection...

(26) A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Through the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (27) Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe!"

In other words, between the teachings of Jesus, Paul and Peter... God has it all covered. You will like whatever God does! However, if you see the old, fat, grumpy gray-haired Pastor Jim in heaven please say, "Hi!"

Saul and the Witch of Endor

I want to look at some of the other examples of people seeing people who have long been dead. First Samuel 28:3-25 tells us an interesting story about Saul asking the Witch of Endor if he and the army of Israel is going to win an upcoming battle. While the witch is doing her 'witchy' stuff God uses the moment in the life of Saul to remind him who Saul should have been asking! God turns the tables on Saul and brings up the prophet Samuel from the dead. It was Samuel who first anointed Saul to be King. Even the witch appears surprised that anything actually happened!

I ran out of time for today's blog...

Check in tomorrow...