AMEN! The event on the Mount of Transfiguration of one of my favorite
ministering scriptures, for by it comes the revelation that the representatives
of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) were REMOVED that the disciples
would ONLY SEE "JESUS" ! For Christ superseded and fulfilled all that the law
and prophets could not accomplish. For the law COULD NOT be totally kept by no
mortal as the law ONLY reveals that ALL are sinful and guilty before a Holy
God, and the prophets could ONLY SEE in part of HE that was to come and fulfill
ALL righteousness.
Thanks Brother for the profound article,
Bro. DON
From: forthepoor-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:forthepoor-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
On Behalf Of mike mcinnis
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2021 10:19 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: [forthepoor] grace gazette vol 19 iss 11
GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIX Issue 11
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make
straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews
12::12-13
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN POWER
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them
that stand here, which
shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with
power. Mark 9:1
There are many passages in the scriptures which appear to us so clearly
stated that we can set forth their meaning unequivocally. One which comes to
our minds is Acts 13:48; “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life
believed.” Another is John 1:13; “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And yet another (just
to name a few) is found in Hebrews 9:12; “Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption for us.” The only controversy that can be found
in the reading or attempted “explanation” of them is in the minds of those who
simply choose to ignore what they plainly say or refuse to give GOD all glory
in the salvation of sinners.
Now we are sure that no man can have any true spiritual understanding of the
scriptures apart from the illuminating work of the HOLY SPIRIT. Yet we are
also sure that words have meanings even in the natural realm which cannot be
denied. Much of that which is recorded in the Bible for the benefit of mankind
falls into that category. Men often cannot see because they will not; even as
the LORD upbraided the Pharisees for their refusal to hear HIS words which were
so plainly spoken unto them. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye
have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come
to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40)
Thus, no man can plead ignorance before the LORD because HIS WORD is made
plain even in the creation which surrounds all men. “Because that which may be
known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the
invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools.” (Rom 1:19-22) Men will, by nature, rebel against every true
revelation of the glory of GOD in JESUS CHRIST.
Many do so while professing to be the followers of CHRIST as they exalt the
free will of men and make the redemptive work of CHRIST to be a mere attempt to
save men which ultimately depends upon them instead of HIM. One cannot deny
the testimony of Paul, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That,
according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor
1:30-31) Yet many will seek to modify what Paul clearly stated. in order to
promote their schemes which, give men a place to glory in their own decisions,
works, faith, and obedience. In the same fashion they will revolt against
Paul’s clear declaration of the absolute sovereignty of GOD, “Nay but, O man,
who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that
formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay,
of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
(Rom 9:20-21)
While we see most of the scriptures in their “unequivocal” meaning, or at
least desire to see them more clearly, we are also aware that there are some
scriptures which men made wise by the SPIRIT of GOD, tread lightly and confess
that they know nothing as they ought to know. For the import and meaning of
these scriptures is not so clearly revealed. Yet we must look at them, seeking
greater light, and desiring to speak truth alone. Thus, we can merely state
our opinion about them, desiring to glorify CHRIST alone, and confessing with
trepidation that we are not always correct in our opinion. The man who is
convinced that his opinion is always correct is either a fool or unlearned in
the limitations of even “spiritually minded” men.
This passage found in Mark 9:1 is one of those scriptures which I confess to
having no absolute understanding of, yet I feel it necessary to set forth what
light I have on it, thinking that I do have some understanding of it. I hope
to do so in a manner which would encompass the essence of truth as it is in
JESUS even if I might miss the exact import of it in every detail. Many of the
scriptures which seem, to many, to speak of future events fall into that same
category.
It is true enough that the LORD could have been speaking of an event far off
in the future, yet it would appear that it could not be beyond the lifetime of
those to whom HE was speaking. Some have surmised that HE is speaking of the
“coming” of HIS Kingdom at the end of the age, when HE returns with a shout and
the voice of the archangel. But such seems unlikely to me since HE did say
that the event which HE is describing would occur while some of them were still
alive. “some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death “.
Others have thought that HE has reference to the coming destruction of
Jerusalem around the year 70 AD. Such seems a strained consideration to me
since one has to adopt the whole theory of what has been called “preterism”
(which primarily contends that all prophecies have had their fulfillment at
that time, including the return of CHRIST to the Earth) in order to support
that view. While “wise” and “studied” men have held this position (not without
any foundation; I might add), I cannot embrace it and am of the opinion that
much learning has made them mad.
Then there are those who believe that HE has reference to the day of HIS
ascension back to the right hand of the FATHER, which was witnessed by them, as
the Heavens opened and HE was received into the glory which HE had with the
FATHER from the beginning. This was indeed a momentous and glorious event
which surely shaped their concept of the extent of the reign of HIS Kingdom.
Yet I do not believe this is the event which was referenced by the LORD, due in
large part to HIS statement that “some of them” would see this event. It would
appear that all of them were present when HE ascended.
So, we are left to consider what event did HE have reference to. When we
look at the scriptures which are considered “prophetic” we can be certain that
they have their fulfillment in CHRIST, since the “testimony of JESUS is the
SPIRIT of prophecy”.(Rev.19:10) All of the creation shall worship at HIS
footstool because HE is the CREATOR of all things which HE made for that very
end. HE would reveal HIS glory to a people which HE created for that very
reason, who would delight not simply in HIS creation of them but in their
redemption, which is clearly made manifest in the unfolding of HIS Kingdom in
the Earth. HE had reference to this fact when HE said, “upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mat
16:18)
The opening up of the understanding of HIS disciples was an ongoing work of
HIS ministry. One can only guess at their wonderment each time HE performed
some act which caused them to say, “what manner of MAN is this”. Usually the
LORD brings home truth to our hearts, not in the initial word which HE gives
us, but later, as HE is pleased to open our minds and causes us to see what
should have been apparent to us from the start, like the men on the road to
Emmaus.
So, it would appear to me that the event which HE has reference to here in
Mark 9:1, is the event which occurred on the Mount of Transfiguration. We can
tell the limited knowledge that the disciples had of who HE is and the place
which HE occupies in the Kingdom of GOD, by the fact of Peter’s desire to build
three tabernacles of equal import for Elijah, Moses, and the LORD. Now to be
sure I expect that Peter was overwhelmed at this vision and probably spoke
without thinking too deeply. Yet his line of thought is in keeping with his
Jewish heritage and tradition. How startling it was to hear that VOICE from
Heaven thundering out, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mar 9:7) as Moses
and Elijah faded from view. If this is not a revelation of the Kingdom of GOD
coming with power, I am not able to imagine what would be. Yet that revelation
was not immediate to Peter, but was cemented in his mind on the day of
Pentecost when he declared, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both
Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36) This is the message of HIS Kingdom which has no
end. mam
