Mark 9:1-13 ~ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Sukkot Festival of Booths

 Mark 9:1-13

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Psalm 126
A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy!
Carrying sheaves with them!

Acts 16

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

So Jesus took Peter, James and John and they saw Moses and Elijah. Jesus asked them not to speak of this meeting as the meeting closed.The same promise for both men - Peter felt it was to be shared. John felt it was a solid promise and created the most amazing description of Jesus Christ ever written in John 1. God honored both men reacting to Jesus.

How did they know this was Moses and Elijah? The photo at the top has some interesting imagery from the Sukkot Festival of Booths. This might have been achieved by video projection on to the vapor. God tells us He is God of the Living. So the seeing Moses and Elijah - they were indeed quite solid in form. Like the Road to Emmaus. How do we know? God tells us He is God of the Living. I can't  think of one instance in the Bible where a vapor was acknowledged. The Holy Spirit is acknowledged to be Fire. God likes to tell of His plan and rely upon faith.

Mark 12:27
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

And we see in Acts 16 Paul has a vision during the night. This could have been 9 p.m. or possibly 1 a.m. however God is clear that a vision is far clearer than a dream. God directs people by dream, but when I feel that I've had an important dream sometimes it's as clear as a vision. God would certainly have to use a way to convey to someone what is an idea of the mind - a dream. And the other would be something important enough to change direction or even lives.

One other thing about God and visions. Frequently, He gives direction and then asks the person to go forward with faith. He seems to not be present and yet, He is. Error occurs when people assume God would give direction and quit. People are more apt to quit and sin than God give up.  A mistake repeated in the Bible many times. Let's learn.

There never is an exact phrase in the Bible of God closes a door or opens a window. That seems so .... vapor-ish. And God says when we do His Will He will provide good things for us. Here the people who love God were going to do what they thought best. God stopped them and sent them in a new direction. This is - God closes a door and makes a new path.

God gives mankind work to believe God. Psalm 126 in Joy of the Victory - God is still saying life requires spreading the Good News.

Father God, in this New Year we are continuing to pray with One Mission.  This community is choosing a means of fasting for 21 days of January. (Like Clark gives up certain entertaining TV shows like Law and Order.) 30 Christian Churches clergy and congregations of vast denominations pray over our community here in The Woodlands, Tomball, Magnolia, Conroe and Houston, Texas. That the Light continues to Shine and the darkness vanishes. Renewal of Hope, Faith and Love!

For our loved ones in  family, friends, Churches, neighborhood, coworkers and communities to be strong lending to the strength of the Nation and the vast World saved by Jesus Christ. We rejoice in 92% of our Congress professes Jesus as Lord.  We are always privileged to pray in the name of God's Son, our Savior, the Highest Name of all - Jesus. Knowing we are indeed covered by God's Love. Amen. 

P.S. We had the worst fire in recorded history in our tri-counties of Texas the Year One Mission began. Father God, You have told us in plain language we would have trouble in this world. Our communities saw fire fighters arrive from all across our Continent and even to Alaska. The Facebook pages created for immediate news release of the moving rescue centers, due to vast fires, reported again and again of houses spared and winds changing to spare the dwellings.  This was the first year and we thank God for prayer for our communities that very year. We count our blessings. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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