VISION OF THE KINGDOM

The record of the fulfilment of this promise is found in the account of the transfiguration. In this “vision” on the mount, they saw Jesus glorified, as He will appear when He comes in His kingdom. They saw Elias (Elijah), who was taken to heaven without tasting death, representing those who will be translated—changed—“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” when the Lord comes. ^{71 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.} There also was Moses, one who had died, representing those who will be raised from the dead to meet the Lord. So, in this “vision” on the mount, they had a view of Christ coming in His kingdom, as He had promised them.LDT 12.2

Though the apostles had seen this glorious sight on the mount of transfiguration, and had heard the voice of God’s approval, the apostle Peter says, “We have a more sure word of prophecy.” By this statement he is not discrediting what they saw and heard on that memorable occasion. Then they heard the voice of God only once; but in the great lines of prophecy, extending down to Christ’s second coming, we have the voice of God oft repeated. In fact, every definite prophetic prediction fulfilled, or recorded in history, is the voice of God to us. It must be in this sense that the word of prophecy is “more sure.” The Revised Version translates it “made more sure.” The prophecy is made sure by every specification fulfilled. Each and every event predicted, when fulfilled, is an assurance that the remaining events will surely come.LDT 13.1