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The following presentation is by Don K. Preston, President Preterist Research Institute.

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THE TRANSFIGURATION"For we did not follow cunningly devised

fables when we made known to you the power and coming (parousia, DKP) of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory" ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

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REFUTING THE SCOFFERS BOOBYER: “2 Peter as a whole is concerned

to buttress hope of the second advent; and in 1:16-18 itself the writer desires above all to show that the Lord’s dunamis and parousia were not ‘cunningly devised fables.’ They were not, because he and others had actually been ‘eyewitnesses of that glory.’ If this was to be of any value as a proof of the coming dunamis and parousia it must have been something of the parousia greatness that the eyewitnesses on the ‘holy mount’ saw.”

The Transfiguration Defines The Parousia Anticipated By Peter And Denied By The

Scoffers.

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TRANSFIGURATION MEANING The significance of the Transfiguration for the

study of eschatology today cannot be overstated. Scoffers were denying the 2nd

coming of the Lord (2 Peter 3:3). To refute them Peter appealed to the

Transfiguration as visionary confirmation of the parousia.

By appealing to the Transfiguration the apostle gives the definitive definition of the

parousia. Because the Transfiguration was a vision

of the parousia, if we wish to know the Biblical definition of the Lord’s coming we

must go to the Mount.4

WHAT THEY SAWRamsey: “By appearing together Moses and Elijah sum up the entire drama of the old order from its beginning to its end; the

one is the predecessor, the other is the precursor of the Messiah.”

Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus, (Luke 9:30-31); but the glory of Jesus out shined those grand spokesman of the

Old Covenant. The Father removed Moses and Elijah,

Jesus alone remained: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: Hear

Him!"

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MOSES (EX. 24/ 34)MOSES (EX. 24/ 34) JESUSJESUS

AARON, NADAB AND AARON, NADAB AND ABIHUABIHU

PETER, JAMES, JOHNPETER, JAMES, JOHN

MOSES TRANSFIGURED MOSES TRANSFIGURED (EX. 34:29)(EX. 34:29)

JESUS TRANSFIGUREDJESUS TRANSFIGURED

FACE AND CLOTHES FACE AND CLOTHES SHINE (EX. 34:29)SHINE (EX. 34:29)

FACE AND CLOTHES FACE AND CLOTHES SHINESHINE

APPEARANCE OF CLOUD APPEARANCE OF CLOUD GLORY OF GOD (24) GLORY OF GOD (24)

APPEARANCE OF CLOUDAPPEARANCE OF CLOUD

GLORY OF GODGLORY OF GOD

BATH KOHLBATH KOHL BATH KOHLBATH KOHL

MOSES RECEIVED THE MOSES RECEIVED THE LAWLAW

CHRIST ORDAINED AS CHRIST ORDAINED AS SPOKESMANSPOKESMAN

APPLICATION

Peter said the Transfiguration established the prophecies of the parousia more sure.

On the Mount they saw a vision of the parousia.

But the Transfiguration was a vision of the transformation from the Old Covenant Glory of Moses and the Prophets to the

New Covenant Glory of Jesus the Messiah. Therefore the Biblical definition of

the Parousia is Covenantal Transformation and not cosmic

annihilation! 7

FROM GLORY TO GLORY!

The Transfiguration, as a vision of the parousia, was a vision of the “metamorphosis” the transformation from the glory of Moses to the Glory of Christ.

“Body” of flesh– “Body” of Glory2 Corinthians 3– Paul was the minister of the New Covenant– which has greater glory than that of Moses.

Through Paul’s ministry, they were being “transformed” metamorphosis– “from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:16)

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THE TRANSFIGURATION AND COVENANT CHANGE

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TransfigurationGlory of Moses

Christ Transfigured (metamorphsosis)

Glory of Moses fades

Glory of Christ anticipated and established

2 Corinthians 3 The Glory of the First

Covenant “We are being

transformed” (metamorphosis) “From glory to Glory!”

When one turns to Christ, the veil is taken away

Paul’s (Spirit led) ministry (4:1)

THE TRANSFIGURATION - MATTHEW 16:27-28Mat. 16:27-28 has caused great perplexity- Connection to the Transfiguration

Proposed Solutions:Amillennialism- V. 27– end of time; v. 28 - Pentecost.

Premillennialism- The Transfiguration fulfills the prediction. 10

ELEMENTS OF MATTHEW 16:27-28 Matthew 16:21f provides the following

contextual, constituent elements: Suffering of Christ and his disciples

(21f) Promise of vindication– Coming of the

Son of Man in Judgment / reward (v. 27) Coming of the Kingdom (v. 28) New Covenant- Parousia / Marriage /

New Covenant are inextricably linked; Isaiah 62:2-12– Mt. 16:27 is Isaiah 62! Hosea 2:15-23- New Covenant- Remarriage! First Century Fulfillment (v. 28). 11

MATTHEW 16: FULFILLED WHEN?

Transfiguration is not the fulfillment of Mt. 16:27f, it is a visionary confirmation of

fulfillment! (Mt. 17:11) It is confirmation of the prophetic word!

If transfiguration was a vision of Mt. 16:27f, then we must find some event that fulfills requirements: vindicative parousia, kingdom, passing of Torah, New Covenant

and Marriage, first century fulfillmentFulfillment demands an event to satisfy all

of these elements12

CHRIST’S VINDICATION COMINGElement #1– Vindication of Christ’s

suffering and his disciples– (Judgment!)Matthew 21:40– Matthew 23—1 Thessalonians 2:14-162 Thessalonians 1:4fRevelation 6 / 18-19!

AD 70 was indubitably Christ’s coming in judgment of his murderers, and the persecutors of his apostles

and prophets! 13

ELEMENT #2– CHRIST’S KINGDOM COMING

Matthew 25:31f– When the Son of man comes in his glory, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory

Luke 19:12f– Receive kingdom and return (judgment at return)

Luke 21:28-322 Timothy 4:1– Judgment and kingdom!

Revelation 11:15f– Kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ!

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ELEMENT #3– PAROUSIA AND PASSING OF TORAHMatthew 24:1-3- Christ’s coming, end of the age, destruction of the temple all linked.

2 Corinthians 3– Being removedHebrews 8:13- Nigh to passing!Hebrews 9:6-10– No access while Torah remained valid– no access until destruction of Jerusalem– at the parousia!

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ELEMENT #4- PAROUSIA- MARRIAGE- NEW COVENANT

God’s remarriage– The New Covenant

Mat. 16:27 is a citation of Isaiah 62– the promise of the remarriage of Israel!

The time of the remarriage is the time of the New Covenant (Hosea 2:18-23)– I will make a covenant- you shall, call me husband, I will betroth you to me… (In the last days (3:5)

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PAROUSIA- MARRIAGE- NEW COVENANT

Transfiguration = Matthew 16:27Matthew 16:27 = Isaiah 62- The time of the remarriage of Israel/ time of the New Covenant– Hosea 2:18-23.

The time of the remarriage (Thus, the finalizing of the New Covenant)– at the destruction of the city that killed the prophets (vindicative judgment of Christ!)

Matthew 22: “All Things Are Ready!17

ELEMENT #5- SOME STANDING HERE! Vindication of the Saints– AD 70--- Matthew 23–

This Generation Judgment of Jerusalem for slaying the saints–

Matthew 24:2-3; 29-34; 1 Thes. 2:15-16– This Generation

Christ coming in the Kingdom– Luke 21:20-32– This Generation

The Remarriage– New Covenant– “The master sent out his armies and killed those wicked men and burnt their city” (Matthew 22:7– Revelation 18-19).

Every constituent element of Matthew 16:21-28 was said to occur in Jesus’ first century generation– in the judgment of Old Covenant Jerusalem.

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SUMMARY TO THIS POINTThe Transfiguration was a vision of the

fulfillment of Matthew 16:21-28.Only one event fits all of the criteria!Christ came in judgment / vindication of

the martyrs in AD 70Christ came in the kingdom in AD 70Christ came at the end of the age of Torah

in AD 70Christ came for his wedding in AD 70!The Transfiguration- as a vision of the end

of the age of Torah– fits perfectly!19

NOTHING ELSE FITS!!

Fact: The Transfiguration was a vision of the Second Coming of Christ.

Fact: It was a vision of the end of Moses and the Law!

It was not:A Vision of the Cross—No judgmentA Vision of Pentecost– No judgmentA Vision of the beginning of the millennium

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FULFILLMENT AND TORAHFact: The Transfiguration was a vision of the

Second Coming of Christ– Mt. 16:27.Fact: It was a vision of the end of Moses

and the Law!Transfiguration- End of Torah- Parousia!

Wherever you posit fulfillment of Matthew 16:27, since the Transfiguration was a vision of the end of Torah…

Torah would– will– remain valid until the parousia!

Thus, if Matthew 16:27 is unfulfilled- Torah remains valid– the New Covenant is not completely established!

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SCOFFERS, TORAH AND PAROUSIATransfiguration Was A Vision Of The Passing Of Torah Vision of the Parousia

It was a vision of what the scoffers denied!

If Torah Passed At The Cross, Why Didn’t Peter Tell Them that Torah Passed At The Cross, and the parousia occurred already?

Fulfillment of Transfiguration– passing of Torah-- Was Still Future When Peter Wrote!

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WHAT THE SCOFFERS WERE DENYING

The Scoffers Were Denying The Parousia (2 Peter 3:3f),

The Transfiguration Was A Vision Of What The Scoffers Were Denying

If The Transfiguration Was A Vision Of What They Were Denying, And If The Transfiguration Was A Vision Of

The Passing Of “Moses And The Prophets” Then The Scoffers Were

Denying The Passing Of “Moses And The Prophets!”

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TRANSFIGURATION AND PAROUSIA

Transfiguration Was A Vision Of The Day Of The Lord Of 2 Peter 3.

Scoffers Denying What Peter SawThe Transfiguration Was A Vision Of

The End Of Moses And The LawTherefore, Peter’s Day Of The Lord Of 2 Peter 3, Was The End Of Moses

And The Law.Scoffers Were Not Denying The Passing Of Physical Heaven And

Earth. 24

TRANSFIGURATION AND THE MILLENNIUM Transfiguration was a vision of the fulfillment of

the second coming of 2 Peter 3—what was being denied by the scoffers.

2 Peter 3 was a prediction of the coming of New Heavens and Earth.

The New Heavens and Earth come at the end of the Millennium.

But, the Transfiguration (a vision of the fulfillment of the second coming of 2 Peter 3) was a vision of the end of the Old Covenant (Moses and the Prophets).

The New Heavens and Earth come at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20-21).

Therefore, the end of the Old Covenant (Moses and the Prophets) comes at the end of the millennium

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A.D. 70 AND TRANSFIGURATION It was the vindicative judgment coming of

Christ (Mt. 23-24) It was the coming of the kingdom (cf. Rv.

11:15f) It was within the time frame (Mt. 16:28). It was the passing of the law and the

prophets (Luke 21:22/Mt. 5:17-18) It was the time of Christ’s wedding

The transfiguration definitively defines the parousia of Christ as

his coming to destroy the Old Covenant world in AD 70 26

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONPurpose of 2 Peter: To defend parousia against scoffers.

Transfiguration final defense and definition of parousia

Transfiguration vision in no way resembles traditional definition of parousia.

Transfiguration a vision of the passing of “law and prophets” Only one event fits—A.D. 70!!27