LIFE AFTER DEATH?: PROVE IT
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Transfiguration (La transfiguration), 1886-1896. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 9 1/2 x 6 1/16 in. (24.1 x 15.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.145 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.145_PS1.jpg)
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min.
The transfiguration of Jesus is a premier revelation that shows life after death for the people of God. Ah! Of this I am sure – what is ahead for us as God’s children is better than the best of anything in our past.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him up an unnamed mountain and was transfigured before them (Matthew 17:2). The occasion was a factual event that showed the apostles had not crafted “cleverly invented stories” when they “talked about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Instead, “they were eyewitnesses.” This is the best kind of testimony: the evidence was not hear say (2 Peter 1:16-17). Peter was the leader of the eyewitnesses; the other two disciples were James and John.
Please dear reader, pause and give yourself time to absorb the historic event of Jesus’ transfiguration. Moses had been dead for about years, but he was very much alive on the holy mountain with Jesus, and Elijah had been dead for some eight hundred years, but he was alive too. The disciples heard both Moses and Elijah talking intelligently with Jesus. The topic of their discussion was Jesus’ ‘decease’ that He would accomplish at Jerusalem (Luke 9:32 KJV). The Greek word for decease is ‘exodon’ and it translates into English as ‘exodus.’ They were discussing Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection that was very soon to happen at Jerusalem.
The transfiguration teaches profound gospel truths. Among them is 1) the Heavenly Father’s audible affirmation of Jesus of Nazareth as God’s Son. Another affirms 2) born again children of God, our family members, and friends, will have intelligent life in the world to come. Moses and Elijah continued to learn in heaven and their knowledge on the holy mountain was about current events. This meant they knew the divine timeline for Messiah’s brutal sacrifice on the cross, and for His resurrection.
Jesus’ death gives eternal life to all who repent of their sins and believe wholeheartedly in a new birth that Jesus is the Son of God.
Think about it: Moses and Elijah had more information on the mountain about Jesus’ death and resurrection than the Biblical record shows they had during their ministries. They also had more knowledge about the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection then did Peter, James, and John. Amazing!
Moses’ forty-year exodus was a monumental achievement, no question about it. But the host of Israelites Moses led to the promised land did not compare with the exodus Jesus leads to heaven.
The Lord’s personal exodus took place at His ascension. The exodus Jesus leads to this day includes every child of God who departs this life in death. But the definition of death changes for God’s children (1 Corinthians 15:50-56). The dead believers are alive in Christ; Moses and Elijah are splendid examples. The exodus Jesus leads will consummate in the great rapture of the church (John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
The three disciples kept telling the story for the remainder of their lives; then as eyewitnesses, they handed it down to the generation that followed them. Peter wrote they heard the distinct voice of the Heavenly Father coming from the majestic glory: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35).
The disciples thought they had a bright idea – launch a little construction project of three tabernacles to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Peter was the leader and spokesman.
How far away the disciples were from the Heavenly Father’s blueprint that Jesus was carrying out to the letter! Little wonder the Father’s commanding voice came out of the cloud at the transfiguration saying, “This is my Son whom I have chosen; listen to Him.” The Heavenly Father’s command was clear: You are not to focus on building tabernacles; instead, “listen to Jesus!”
Yes, the transfiguration of Jesus is one of the greatest proofs of intelligent life after death. And the greatest proof of all is Jesus’ own resurrection.
The Apostle Peter lived some thirty-five years after Jesus’ transfiguration, and year after year he kept the story of the transfiguration of Jesus close to his heart. His second epistle was his farewell; the Lord had told him his passing was near. Peter’s assignment from God was to write this second epistle to make a record of the key events in His ministry. The transfiguration of Jesus was at the top of the list.
“It is right to refresh your memory,” Peter wrote as he recorded the story. “I know I will soon be put aside as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.”
And what are we to remember?
“We did not follow cleverly invented stories,” Peter said, “when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, whom I love, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:1; 3-19).
Many people say life after death lacks proof, but Peter’s record as an eyewitness of the transfiguration of Jesus says otherwise. Peter was also an eyewitness of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The evidence is clear and it gives great encouragement to all of Jesus’ followers that life after death does await the people of God.
The proof also gives wonderful encouragement to each of us who has lost a loved one – a grand reunion day is ahead. “And forever we will be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).
Thank you, Peter, for listening to the voice of our Heavenly Father on the holy mountain. And thank you for recording the transfiguration story packed full of Holy Spirit anointing that gives such precious promises.
We will see our loved ones again!
