From Matthew 17:22-23 / 2 Prophecies

The events of the Mount of Transfiguration and the healing of the demonized boy completed, Jesus, James, Peter and John now rejoin the rest of the Disciples in Galilee. If, as some commentators believe, the “Mount” was Mt. Mirion, (Hermon being too high, cold and difficult for them to have spent the night there) it was about a 15-20 mile walk back to Galilee. One does wonder what the conversation must have been in the aftermath of the spectacle they had seen there. But the Spirit has not seen fit to include it. Thus speculation is fruitless.

Note first: From this point on, Jesus is steadfastly set on going to Jerusalem. And He knows full well what will transpire there as His prophecy clearly shows. But our Savior is undaunted. He knows He’ll be delivered in the hands of men. He knows He will be killed. And He knows He will be resurrected. Fully strengthened by the prospect of being raised form the dead, He faces what will precipitate His death.

How we might learn from the Captain of our faith to have the same resolve based upon the same promise, and sealed by the reality of His own resurrection being our proof. Hallelujah!

Note second: The Disciples clearly understood His words about being killed, for the were “greatly distressed.” But what is also evident, is that they did not at all comprehend a resurrection only 3 days later. If they had, their distress would have been transmuted into joyful expectation.

So it is with us so often. We know some of God’s Word, but not the whole. And thus we can have imbalanced responses to some of what is revealed.

I think of so many caught up in extreme distress over the collapse of Western Culture. Yes, considered in and of itself, that prospect can be frightening. But when balanced by the reality that Christ must see to it ALL the Kingdoms of this world must be overthrown as He finally establishes His – the final prospect ought to be a source of great encouragement. This is the mindset of John on Patmos, who can look at all the chaos and judgment and turmoil but ends with even so Lord Jesus – come quickly! Yes! Much bad stuff is right around the corner. And so is the resurrection, and the new Heavens and the new Earth!

Christian, do not be greatly distressed that this present age must disintegrate in judgment. Rejoice that it will be so at the hand of Him who in sovereign wisdom and love causes kingdoms to rise and fall – and will bring about the Kingdom of Christ in all of its glory.