THE GOSPEL’S VOICE.

Bible Study Guide/ Matthew 17, (40-BSG-17X)/ What (where) is the voice of God for me in this chapter? Subject: Another Look at Six Days.

Key Text: “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (16:28) “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:1–2, NIV)

There are many places we cite Christ’s words. But allow me to dwell on our Key Text and develop something that can bless us all. In this chapter, Christ allowed His disciples to have a glimpse of His glory, to see a foretaste of glory—of the Resurrection, the Glorification, and the Second Coming. For the Setting and other essential Factors surrounding the Transfiguration, please see Section (40-BSG-17J).

Another Look at Six Days: I want to dwell on the phrase “six days.” The Bible says that the Transfiguration of Jesus happened “after six days.” (Matthew 17:1). Now, I don’t think that’s incidental. I think there’s a great lesson here for us because “six” is the number of a man. SIX represents man’s worship and the number of man –(signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience). It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g., sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” For example, “For six days,” the Scripture says, “work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord” (Exodus 31:15a, NIV). “King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:1, NIV) Adam was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). This number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.” (Revelation 13:18, NIV)

The point is this: “After six days” can be applied symbolically and prophetically simultaneously. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write these words: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8, NLT)

Now, you say, “Well, pastor, Matthew is just talking about six literal days here, but you are talking about six thousand years.” Of course, He is. I’m not disputing what the author means by “six days” before the Transfiguration. That’s why I have entitled this devotion: “Another Look at Six Days!” There have been 6,000 years of recorded history since Adam. Now, after these 6,000 years, another 1,000 years (the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ here on this Earth) will come. You say, “Well, where did you get that?” Look at Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (NKJV) – (For further exploration, read and compare Ps. 90:4; Rev. 20:2-3, 7; 20:4, 5, 6)

Devotional Implication: The 6,000 years of human history will come to a close. My dear friends, I’m just reminding you what you already know: “Jesus is coming again!” Open your eyes and look around. The “Signs of the Times” that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 – have all been fulfilled. We are living in the Last Hour! (1 John 2:18). We are living between the “Two Advents,” –(the First and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We are leaving between the “It Is Finished” and the “It Is Done” (John 19:30; Rev 21:6). And soon the voice will be heard, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” (Revelation 22:11, NKJV) for God’s mercy will end, and the door of probation will be closed.

God, in His mercy, has given this world over 6,000 years –(grace time) to get right with Him. Remember, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) He desires that you return to Him in prayer (and supplication), repentance, and sincerity of heart.

We are living in the day of the sounding of the 7th trumpet. Open your eyes and look around: we are on the verge of seeing Jesus in his glory. Yes, Jesus is coming again! But how many of us are ready for Him? The time is now to get right with God. The time is now to repent our sins, to watch and pray, and yes, to “trim our lights” and “wash our robes” for the Bridegroom Cometh!

Beloved, we need to wake up and be cognizant of the fact that Jesus is coming again! Believe it, teach it, proclaim it, and live it. Are you ready? Am I ready? May the Lord help us to make every conscious decision in light of His coming and be prepared for His blazing glory when He appears. This is my prayer for you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Perhaps you ask, as we close, “How can I respond to this message?”

1. Be cognizant of the signs around me: Signs of the Times (Mt 24).
2. Repent of my sins, wash my robes, and prepare to meet my God (Am. 4:12)
3. Help someone come to Jesus (by grace through faith) before it is too late
4. Be vigilant and diligently seek to “Redeem the Time” for the days are evil (Eph 5:16).
5. Watch and pray always, look for that “Blessed Hope,” and be motivated to live for Christ (Tit. 2:13)

What should be my attitude in light of Christ’s imminent coming? “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20b).

Today’s Mandate: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3, NKJV)