The Transfiguration of Jesus

What is The Transfiguration and why is it such an important event?  This has been studied by theologians for ages. Through scripture we can understand what happened that day on the mountain and what the significance is.  

The Council of Chalcedon and It's Impact

In 451 AD, Roman Emperor Marcian called for the church to come together and make known a very deep understanding of The Person of Jesus Christ to solve the confusion and division.  As Gnostic teachings and writings spread throughout the semi-early Christian world, confusion about who Jesus was in the deepest way is an issue.  The issue is the true nature of Christ. In attendance were over 500 church teachers from all parts of the Christian world and in their possession were the earliest biblical manuscripts.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

With so many stories, movies, plays, books, pictures, and any other possible visual representation of The Nativity scene its hard to know exactly what happened and how in regards to the birth of Jesus.  But looking a scripture, we see a more clear and realistic picture of the birth of Jesus.

Reading Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20 we can see what God has allowed us to know about his birth.

The Virgin Birth

Jesus' virgin birth is extremely important to understanding who Jesus truly is!  Where he came from, how he got here, and how he relates to us are all intertwined with his miraculous birth.  First we need to look at what was foretold about him:

Isaiah 7:13-14

Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God?  Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Jesus Christ's Hypostatic Union

Hypostatic Union is a term given to describe the uniqueness of who Jesus is in his essence.  Jesus was God the Son who came to earth and was fully human at the same time.  It is very easy to jump to the conclusion that this seems like a contradiction but faithfully thinking through it with scripture helps us see that Jesus was fully God and fully man simultaneously.

Lets first look at each nature of Jesus.

Jesus, The One Like a Son of Man

Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man; but what does that mean?

For the Jewish people around 25 AD living under the oppression of Rome, they would have known Daniel 7 very well.  They have been taught about their slaver in Egypt, Babylon, and now currently under the rule of Rome.  Daniel 7:13 gave them hope of a coming person; "ONE LIKE a son of man".  This individual was not a man but was LIKE a man and he was coming.  This One like a son of man was given authority and sovereign power over all people and all people will worship him (Daniel 7:14).  After continued slavery by different nations through their history, this individual would usher in a kingdom that would never be destroyed.  This person is the messiah the save them from Roman rule and establish their nation again.

Jesus Is Coming Back!

This is His promise and God is completely faithful to his promises.  Jesus is coming back.  Jesus first came to pay for the sins and ransom all those who believed through history.  He came as the faithful suffering servant of God.  But that wasn't the end of God's revealed plan for humanity.  In the future ordained time He will return to judge the world and rule as king over all creation.  Just as his first purpose was revealed and prophesied in scripture (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7), the second purpose is also (Zechariah 14:4).  Just as the first purpose of coming into the world was perfectly fulfilled (John 1:1-20), the second purpose will be also (Zechariah 12:10) and the whole world will know (Revelation 1:7).

What Will Happen At His Second Coming?

Chalcedonian Creed

The Council of Chalcedonian was brought together by the Roman Emperor Marcian to come to an agreement and an explanation about The Person of Jesus Christ.  It addresses and explains the 2 natures of Jesus, being God and man.

Chalcedonian Creed (451 A.D):

Statement of Faith: Jesus Christ

           The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential.  He is God incarnate, God in human form, the expressed image of the Father, who, without ceasing to be God, became man in order that He might demonstrate who God is and provide the only way of salvation possible for all man (Matthew 1:21;John 1:18;Colossians 1:15).  He added human nature to His divine nature.  He is both human and divine;  therefore, He has two natures while remaining one person; not two. He is not part God and part man.  He is presently a man, one person, with two natures where one nature is wholly and fully God and the other wholly and fully man. (Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:5-13; John 1:1-3, 14).