Introduction

† Moses stands as one of the most important figures in all of Scripture.

† Through Moses came the Law, the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the covenant that governed Israel for centuries.

† Yet many people never ask why Moses appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration.

† Moses had died nearly fifteen centuries earlier, yet he suddenly appeared and spoke with Christ about events that were soon to occur.

† The appearance of Moses was not random. It announced that his covenant was approaching its end.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, in accordance with the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows his burial place to this day.

† Moses died before Israel entered the promised land.

† His death marked the end of his personal ministry.

† Yet the covenant associated with Moses continued for centuries afterward.

† Israel lived under the Law of Moses until the coming of Christ.

† Moses died physically, but his covenant remained alive within Israel.

Matthew 17:1-3

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

† Moses appeared with Elijah and stood beside Christ in glory.

† The Law and the Prophets were both represented on the mountain.

† Everything they had written pointed forward to Christ.

† The appearance of Moses was not about exalting Moses.

† It was about showing that Christ was the fulfillment of everything Moses anticipated. (John 5:46)

Luke 9:30-31

And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

† Moses and Elijah discussed Christ's coming departure.

† The word translated decease carries the idea of an exodus.

† Jesus would accomplish the greater deliverance that Moses only foreshadowed.

† The old covenant deliverance from Egypt pointed toward the greater redemption accomplished through Christ.

† Moses was handing the stage to the One greater than himself.

Hebrews 3:5-6

Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house-whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.

† Moses was faithful as a servant.

† Christ is presented as the Son over the house.

† The servant was never intended to outrank the Son.

† Moses testified about things that would come later.

† The arrival of Christ signaled the approaching completion of Moses' purpose.

2 Corinthians 3:13-14

and we are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

† Paul said the old covenant was passing away.

† The veil remained over those who continued trusting in Moses rather than Christ.

† What Moses represented was never intended to last forever.

† The covenant associated with Moses was approaching its conclusion.

† Christ accomplished what the Law could never accomplish. (Romans 8:3-4)

Hebrews 8:13

When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear.

† The writer of Hebrews described the old covenant as aging.

† It was growing old and nearing its disappearance.

† This was written before AD 70 while the temple still stood.

† Moses' covenant had reached its final days.

† The destruction of Jerusalem publicly confirmed what the apostles had been teaching for decades.

Historical References

† Josephus recorded the destruction of the temple and the end of the sacrificial system in AD 70.

† Eusebius viewed Jerusalem's fall as the fulfillment of Christ's covenant warnings.

† Early Christian writers consistently taught that Christ fulfilled what was foreshadowed in the Law of Moses.

† The first century marked the closing of the Mosaic age and the full establishment of the new covenant order.

How It Applies To Us Today

† Our faith rests in Christ, not in the covenant given through Moses.

† We respect Moses as God's servant while recognizing that Christ is greater.

† The Law pointed forward to Christ and found its fulfillment in Him.

† We are not living in the age of Moses.

† We are living in the age of the risen and reigning Christ.

Q&A Appendix

Q: Why did Moses appear at the Transfiguration?

A: Moses appeared as the representative of the Law, bearing witness that everything pointed forward to Christ. (Matthew 17:1-3)

Q: Why were Moses and Elijah together?

A: They represented the Law and the Prophets, both of which testified concerning Christ. (Luke 24:44)

Q: Did the Law fail?

A: No. The Law accomplished its purpose by leading people to Christ. (Galatians 3:24)

Q: When did Moses' covenant finally disappear?

A: Its public end came with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. (Hebrews 8:13)

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †

© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† Deuteronomy 34:5-6; Matthew 17:1-3; Luke 9:30-31; Hebrews 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 3:13-14; Hebrews 8:13

† Josephus, Wars of the Jews; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History