QT 12/12/2023 Mark 9:2-8, What are we doing for God's kingdom?

Mark 9:2–8 (ESV) —

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

 

NOTE: These three men received a taste of the kingdom before anyone else. Jesus was transformed into his glorified body. He truly was the Son of God in appearance and by affirmation from God the father. He was above the law and the prophets, and his word assumes authority over all others. Ultimately they will see Jesus again in his resurrected body after the crucifixion. We will all have resurrected bodies, new bodies, unphased by sin or the temptation to sin.

 

Elijah came ("has come") and "does come first" before Jesus, both the first coming and his return. Events are moving fast. Israel is in the land and the enemy is still trying to destroy the nation. At some point, an invasion is coming, and after that a 7-year peace treaty. We are 76 years past the establishment of the nation of Israel. And the Jewish idiom "nation against nation" meaning non-regional world wars started 106 years ago, and the last one, the battle against Iran (multiple non-regional actors), ended 20-some years ago.

 

What is the application? I think we need to be doing the work of God because we have no idea when he is coming, but it does seem to be soon.

 

PONDER:

1. What is the work of God?
2. What has God called me to do that I am not doing?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to listen and learn. Keep me from sin. Give me insight and words to encourage and challenge others in their relationship with you.