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.

Several times, Jesus had told his disciples about his death. He said he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, be killed, and then be raised on the third day (Matthew 16:21, 17:22,23, 26:11, Luke 13:33). But they still didn’t really understand that this was going to happen or why. 

Jesus took his friends, the Apostles Peter, James and John, to a high mountain to pray. Once there, Jesus’ features and clothing were “transfigured” (meaning, transformed or changed). His face shone like the sun and his clothes turned to a dazzling white (Matthew 17:2). Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared, (Matthew 17:3) talking with Jesus about his predicted death in Jerusalem (see Luke 9:31).

A bright cloud covered them, and they heard God’s voice saying, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5, English Standard Version)

The disciples fell on their faces, terrified! (Matthew 17:6) The REAL Moses and Elijah had died hundreds of years before. But Jesus told them to get up and not be afraid. When they looked up, Jesus was alone, and the vision was over.

But what did it mean and what was its purpose? 

We understand the vision to represent God’s future kingdom and those who will work together to bring blessings to all of mankind.

In the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, we read about a faithful group of individuals (like Noah, Sarah and Joseph) who lived before Jesus died. They could not have a heavenly reward because Jesus’ death had to first open the way to heaven. (see Hebrews 6:20, 10:19,20) So, their reward will be to serve as earthly leaders in God’s future kingdom. 

In the vision, Moses was a picture of these future earthly leaders (Exodus 18:13, Isaiah 1:26) Hebrews 3:5,6 “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Judges will be restored in the kingdom: Isaiah 1:26 “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Moses was the chief judge of Israel during this lifetime: Exodus 18:13 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.” Elijah representing the body of Christ who will be with Jesus in heaven: Malachi 4:5,6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest [i.e., or else] I come and smite the earth with a curse.”  

This same “Elijah class,” the body of Christ, will be in glory with our Lord and help in blessing all the families of the earth. (Galatians 3:7-9 ESV) “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

When Jesus was here on earth, he invited individuals to follow him to become part of his future heavenly church. (See Matthew 16:24, John 14:2) If faithful unto death, this special group represented by Elijah will be heavenly leaders in God’s future kingdom.

Jesus’ shining face and bright clothing was a picture of himself glorified in heaven, after his death and resurrection. (See Isaiah 40:5, 2 Peter 1:16-18) 

Therefore, the vision showed that the earthly leaders (pictured by Moses), and the heavenly leaders (pictured by Elijah) will work with the resurrected and glorified Jesus in God’s future kingdom to bring blessings to ALL people!

This vision strengthened the disciples’ faith after Jesus died. It proved that even though he had died, and it might APPEAR as though all hope had been lost, Jesus truly WAS God’s son, and through him, God’s kingdom WOULD be established.  

After Jesus’ death, Peter and others were reassured that everything was going according to God’s plan – because they had seen the vision with their own eyes! (see 2 Peter 1:16-19) 

In summary, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus’ disciples were given a miraculous vision to ASSURE them that God’s plan was moving forward even though Jesus would eventually die. Today, this vision assures US that Jesus’ death was not the END of God’s plan, but the PROCESS by which it would happen – in order to bring future blessings to ALL PEOPLE! (see Luke 2:10)