Kingdom Inheritance Today - The Kingdom of God Today
Hear Him!
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 'Hear Him!'"
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Jesus took Peter, James and John up "on a high mountain" to pray, He said. Little did they know what was in store for them (Matthew 17'1-8, Mark 9'2-8, Luke 9'28-36).
As they travelled around Israel with Him, all the Lord's Disciples had seen Him do great things and they had heard Him say great things. But this occasion scared them. They had no idea that Jesus was going to be confirmed from heaven in the most dramatic way.
First of all He was transfigured, becoming dazzlingly radiant. Then Moses and Elijah appeared, and spoke with Jesus. And a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then Peter declared the first thought that came into his head.
At that moment a voice came out of the cloud declaring: "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 17'1-8), almost like a reaction. Obviously, the Father's voice.
Both Old Testament men had represented God very significantly. Moses had brought great words to Israel and the World. Elijah had performed great things. And God had been pleased with them. But the difference is that with Jesus He is well pleased.
Having got the attention of Peter, James and John He commands them to "Hear Him!”. And that goes for every Believer since.
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This amazing event was all about the Father confirming Jesus as the foremost prophet and teacher of His Word. And in saying "Hear Him" He was reminding the disciples that Jesus was the fulfillment of all of Israel's scriptures. There were Jews who realised this, and others who should have known. At Jesus pointed it out: “You search the Scriptures ... and these are they which testify of Me," John 5'39.
One major example is what Moses prophesied:
"The Lord said to me: ... ‘I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren and will put my words in His mouth and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
And it shall be that whoever will not hear my words, which He speaks in my name, I will require it of him’”, Deuteronomy 18’17-19.
Following Pentecost Peter reminded them:
"For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people'.
To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities’," Acts 3'22-23.
And Stephen did the same. He declared it to the high council as he reminded them of Israel's history on the day they stoned him to death:
"This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear',” Acts 7'37.