Glory and Flames

What were we made for? How would we have turned out if Adam and Eve had not fallen?

I think the Mount of Transfiguration account gives us the answer. Jesus said that some would “see the Kingdom in power.” Three of His Apostles witnessed the essence of all power at this place described in Mark 9.

Jesus was transfigured, while, according to Luke’s account, the Apostles slept. His Body took on Light in a glorious manner. His Presence was manifested before the living on earth and in those alive beyond this world, for Moses and Elijah stood with Him.

These Old Testament heroes spoke with the Son about what was coming for Him, according Luke 9:31: “Behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.”

Consider that Jesus had just told His followers of His way that was leading to death on the Cross. Elijah and Moses knew that Jesus was born to die for the sins of the world; He came to give His life for their sins, holy and obedient to God’s plan.

This scene defines the power of the Presence of God over life. Jesus, the last Adam, as Paul called Him in 1 Corinthians 15:45, revealed what people formed from dust were supposed to take on when wholly following the command of Heaven.

Note that in Exodus 34, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the stone tablets of the Commandments that were written by the finger of God. He also was aglow with the fullness of Light. He was unaware of the shine he had taken on until the people stood afar off. The glory of God upon Moses put the fear of God in those who saw him.

In Acts 7, the deacon Stephen preached a haunting and convicting message to a group who resisted the Message of Jesus and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Those who were there said that Stephen’s face was bright like the face of angel as he spoke. He died under a hail of stones with the Savior in view and forgiveness on his lips.

These reports, combined with the reference to the “holy mount” as Peter called it (2 Peter 1:18), show us what humans beings were supposed to be. We are meant to view our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:15).

Fruitful Lives

Angels were made of bright stuff, but immaterial stuff. Man was made of clay that could absorb and refract the glow coming from the Throne of Grace. Had the first humans listened to the command about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, had they believed the Word spoken to them, they would have been fruitful and multiplied.

“Fruitful” is a word that indicates the outflow of life that comes from the inside out (see Genesis 1:28). Think of the trees and vines that bear fruit. The sap flows up from the roots and through the branches to the blossoms and eventually to the apples, grapes, or oranges that hang down to be partaken of.

That’s why Moses and Elijah were there with Jesus. The lives that they lived in the Presence of God gave them a glory that will be displayed through the ages to come. This moment recorded in the gospels was a taste of Kingdom life for those that were close to Jesus.

Peter, James, and John were startled as they wiped the sleep from their eyes. For Peter, a onetime entrepreneur who managed a fishing business in Galilee, the moment presented an opportunity for the movement he had joined. He had just experienced the revelation of the Savior’s true identity after all.

He suggested a project, the building of a worship center with three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Once he had said this, the cloud of glory overwhelmed the scene, and then came these words from Heaven: “This is my beloved Son: hear Him” (Mark 9:8).

And the Lord then told this privileged trio to keep quiet about the whole encounter until He was resurrected. They couldn’t talk about what they had just witnessed before the time was right.

The Reality of Hell

The beginning of Mark 9 shows us how we were meant for the glory of God while the end of the chapter tells us of the other side of things. The last verses record Jesus defining the reality of hell for us.

“For the one who is not against us is for us,” Jesus declared in Mark 9:40.  Sadly, some will be against Him and His Kingdom. This is the truth and there will be a place for them. Those who refuse to see Jesus for who He is, the Savior, the Lamb come to take away the sin of the world shall find themselves in a place outside of the Presence of God.

“… If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

“Gehenna” is the word for “hell” spoken by Jesus. He used this very word 12 times in the New Testament, all in talking about hell. This term referred to the burning place of garbage outside of Jerusalem, a place of constant fires.

Gehenna was a real place and so is hell.

Those who choose to throw away the life the Creator has given them shall be sent to Gehenna – a place where the worm wriggles forever and the burning of judgment goes on and on. It is the result of refusing to recognize the saving way of grace extended by God.

Those who choose to throw away the life the Creator has given them shall be sent to Gehenna – a place where the worm wriggles forever and the burning of judgment goes on and on. It is the result of refusing to recognize the saving way of grace… Share on X

None will have an excuse. Why do we say this? Because the Scriptures tell us that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6) and “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:3).

What are we to say about these things? The Lord has spoken. We see what He intended for us and we also see what He did not intend. His desire for man made in His image was for him to replenish the earth and to live in dominion over all creatures related to it (see Genesis 1:28).

Christ reclaimed the reign which was once forfeited in the Garden, with the offering of His perfect life at Calvary. We are welcome to receive His mercy and salvation and enter into a life characterized by His holy Presence.

We were made to “Glow in the Dark,” to quote lyrics from a rather catchy Jason Gray tune.

This choice has been, and still is, presented to all. Some wrestle with the reality of the living God and the Savior, the Son Jesus Christ.

What can be said to them? There’s an answer in the middle of Mark 9. It comes from a man whose son was demon-afflicted and desired so much for his deliverance. “Jesus said unto him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.’” (Mark 9:23-24)

Yes, those trapped in their skepticism and doubt can seek God with these words: “Help my unbelief.”

This is a prayer the Lord will not fail to answer. This is what we read in 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”