While Moses and Elijah both passed from the scene of earth’s experiences under peculiar and mysterious circumstances, yet we are assured that both died. We’re plainly told in Colossians 1:18 that Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. Therefore, Moses and Elijah were still in their graves and not alive anywhere. Also see Deuteronomy 34:5 and Hebrews 11:13. The Scriptures everywhere represent the dead as being in a condition of unconsciousness, “asleep” in the tomb, the grave – “The dead know not anything, for there is no wisdom, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goeth” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10).
We must carefully examine the text under consideration for the true meaning, recognizing that all of the expressions of the inspired Scriptures are in complete harmony. The 9th verse of this same chapter gives the explanation with the words of Jesus, “Tell the vision to no man.” What the apostle saw therefore was merely a “vision” of Moses and Elijah with the Lord, just as John on the Isle of Patmos saw visions of beasts, angels, etc., and not actual things themselves.
Note also the Apostle Paul’s words in Hebrews 11:39,40 where he sets forth that Moses and the other ancient faithful ones described in Hebrews 11 have yet to be made perfect by those of the church class (the faithful followers of Jesus) when glorified in the heavenly kingdom with Christ.
