The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 194

burled. Then there was II contention about this (see Jude 9). Was it with respect to the appoore.nce of Moses in this scene? (2) It was a sampfe or the first resurrection. The resurrection of the just will take place in two acts (see Rev. xx. 4--6). Jn the first resurrection the "ancients" will appear in glory with Christ (cf. Isa. xxiv. 23; Dan. xii. 1-3). (3) May we hope for this distinction (see Phil. iii. 8-11)? Let us strive. 4. Elijah represented the living who shall be chalfl,ged. (1) P:i.ul had special revelation on this subject (cf. 1 Cor. xv. 51-54; 1 Thess. iv. 13-18). (2) These transfigurations will occur during the course of the reign of Christ over the earth. Sinners will die off quickly. Saints will be changed-translated (see Luke xvii. 34-37). (3) Of these, Elijah was a specimen. He was translated to heaven in a fiery chariot, and mnst have been transfigured in his transit. Flesh and blood cannot enter heaven. (4) What a mingled scene is here I Christ with the glory of the Father. Clouds of angel& Elijah representing the quick. Moses representing the dead. The apostles representing the Church on earth. Heaven and earth will be thns blended in the kingdom of Messiah. (5) Have we not a note of the time of the kingdom in the "si:r. days'" interval? Does it not correspond with the six aaes of Barnabas mentioned in his Epistle? Is this wholly without countenance from Scripture (cf. Dan. xii. 12, 13; Hos. vi. 2; Heb. iv. 9; 2 Pet. iii. 8) 'f There is a wonderful future for thll Christian.--J. A. M. Vers. 9-13.-27ie harbinger. After the Transfiguration, Jesus and his disciples came down the mountain-side. Ecstasies, even in religion, have their sombre inter- ludes. But in these we may still remain in the blessed company of Jesus. .As they descended, Jesus "commanded his disciples, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead." This command astonished them. Inter- preting the prophets, the scribes expected Elijah to come as the harbinger of Messiah. .As Elijah had now 11ppeared, the disciples were eager to proclaim this as the accomplish- ment of the prophecy. But they were now further surprised to learn that the prophecy had already been fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist. Our Lord ha,l before spoken to this effect (see eh. xi. 14); but these disciples, Peter, Jo.mes, and John, appear then to have been absent on a preaching excursion. Note: It is the fate of prophecy to be fulfilled without being noticed by the world. "But the wise shall understand." Let us consider- L THE COMING OF ELIJAH IN THE PERSON OF THE BAPTIST. 1. The scri'bes looked/07' the Tuhbite. (1) They did so a.s the recognized public interpreters of prophecy. Isaiah spoke of a harbinger of Messiah (see Isa. xl. 3-5). This harbinger is mentioned again,. and distinguished as "Elijah the provhet" (see Mal. iv. 5, 6). The scribes concluded that Elijah tho Tishbite literally should appear. (2) They "knew not" John the Baptist in the character 0£ Elijah. He did not answer their expectations as the literal Elijah. Neither did his testimony to Jesus suit their prejudices. Jesus did not come as that secular king whom they fondly hoped to see. So docs the spirit of the world blind the spiritual vision. (3) The disciples of Jesus were influenced by the teaching of the scribes. They therefore rejoiced to see here in the holy mount the literal Elijah; and fain would they conclude that this was the fulfilment of the prophecy. 'l'hev were accordingly eager to bear testimony to what they had seen. It had not occurred to them, any more than to the scribes, to identify the Baptist as the Elijah of the prophet. 2. Yet was the Baptist the Elifah of prophecy. (1) Gabriel announced him in this quality. To Zacharias the angel said of John, "He shrul go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to tum the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him" (Luke i. 17). The reference here to the Prophet Malachi cannot be Illistaken. (2) Zacharias, in the spirit of prophecy, confirmed the testimony of Gabriel "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: for thou she.It go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways" (Luke i. 76). (3) John came accordingly" in the spirit and power of Elijah.n Like that prophet. his dwelling was in the wilderness; his o.ttire was rough; a.ad his habits were simple and severe (elf. 2 Kings i. 8; eh. iii. 4). His preaching was repentance. "To turn the heart of the [believing] fathers to the [unbelieving] chilJren, and the heart of the children to their fathers,n and thus to avert the curse of God from the land. (4) John IDS THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [on. xv11. 1-:n.