Lesson Seven (Chapter 17)
The Son of Man, Coming in His Kingdom – Dwelling Among Us
“And HaShem shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be 'HaShem is one,' And His Name one...
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, HaShem of hosts, and to keep Chag Sukkot [the Feast of Tabernacles].”
Zechariah 14:9; 16
Introduction
- Last week we saw that the proclamation that Yeshua was the Messiah, and Yeshua open declaration of that were foundational to understanding ekklesia. Remember, ekklesia is not “church” – it is “called out ones.” The focus is not a collective, and certainly not a hierarchy or man-made organization. The focus is “called.”
- The foundation of being called by the Holy One means that He has given us the task of “binding and loosing” as individuals – and in so doing so, and instructed us to know His Word – and then decide how to live it out obediently, in love.
- In chapter 16, Yeshua told His talmidim, that He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. In chapter 17, He gives them a glimpse of His Kingdom…
After Six Days
- 17:1: “After six days” causes us to do 2 things – first read 16:27-28 and connect it to 17:1 – in other words, there is a direct correlation between “… the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom,” and the events of chapter 17.
- Next, like the phrase “on the third day,” it points to another “after six days” phrase.
- Ex 24:15-18: Moses. On the mountain – hears G-d’s Voice. All the people hear G-d’s Voice – and “see” it. (Ex 20:18-21 = “thunder” = kol = “Voice”)
- Rev 1:10-16: “One like the Son of Man” coming. Note: “see the Voice”.
- The “six days” also points to this, the seventh “day” – the “rest” that comes in the millennial Kingdom.
- The entire “Transfiguration” event on the mountain is a “Kingdom glory” experience.
- This event foreshadows the yet future Chag Sukkot – the “Feast of Tabernacles” which prophetically speaks of the coming of the King – to dwell with His people.
The Ultimate Sukkot Foreshadowed
- Matt 17:1-13: The imagery was intended to remind all who read it and heard it of the promises of the coming Kingdom throughout Scripture.
- Lev 23:42-43: G-d commands His people to keep Sukkot (“Tabernacles”). This event does not occur during Sukkot (in which case Yeshua would have been in Jerusalem) – but the Feast always pointed to the “rest” G-d was calling His people into – they did not celebrate it until they entered the Land.
- Isaiah 4:2-5:1: The “Day of HaShem” will be followed by a time of peace and restoration. The “Cloud” of smoke and fire – the Sh’kinah glory of G-d, will be a Sukkah (singular: “tabernacle”). During the feast of Sukkot, which lasts 7 days (+ 1), it is traditional to “include” Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Aaron, Moses, and David to sit at the table in your sukkah.
- Matt 17:3-4: It was perfectly appropriate, and understandable for Peter to suggest building sukkot. Peter understood what he was seeing – a glimpse and portal into the coming universal reign of Messiah!
Moses and Elijah
- Luke 9:30-31: What were Moses and Elijah speaking with Yeshua of? Of His death and suffering, and resurrection.
- John 5:45-46: Some parts of traditional Christianity has long denigrated Moses except as a “story-book figure”. Instead we should understand that Yeshua words apply just as much to us, “But if you do not believe his [Moses] writings, how will you believe My words?” The Torah is the foundation for understanding the Person of Messiah – Yeshua said so. (Num 12:3; Heb 3:3 – better watch who we denigrate).
- Acts 7:37: Moses the prophet – prototypes Yeshua the Prophet and Messiah.
- Heb 11:24-29: Moses understood – it was always about Messiah. Torah is the revelation of Messiah.
- Mal 4:4-5 (Moses AND Elijah?); Matt 17:10-12: Elijah must come first. Before the King comes to reign – Eliyahu must come. The talmidim thought they had just witnessed the fulfillment of Mal 4:5. No, that was yet to come.
- Matt 17:14-21; James 5:15-20: Elijah, the model man of prayer. Why?
The Children are Free
- Matt 17:23=27; Ex 30:11-16: The “Temple tax” was a form of atonement.
- Peter answers quickly that Yeshua pays the tax – why is he so sure?
- Does Yeshua pay the tax? Why?
Summary
- We have a promise. The Promise. The promise that G-d will dwell among us. Nothing approaches this as the focal point of the Gospel. It is the point of the Kingdom message (“Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is at hand”). Our goal is not “go to heaven” – nor to “live a more fulfilled life” – it is to see and dwell with our Master, Yeshua – the very Presence of G-d in human form.
- The talmidim got a glimpse of the kavod [glory] of G-d – when they saw, for a moment, Yeshua glorified on the mountain. They then knew somehow, this was the point of everything – the King, dwelling in His Kingdom… with His people.
“And the Word became flesh and [shakan = “tabernacled”] among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14