Having just completed the 49 days of Counting the Omer.
This season runs from the First Fruits – בִּכּוּרִים – Bikkurim/Resurrection
to
Pentecost/Shavuot/שָׁבוּעוֹת which begins on the 50th day from פסח – Pesach/Passover.
We remember Yeshua/Jesus was with them for 40 days after His Resurrection and appeared to many during that time, up to the day He returned Home to heaven/shamayim.
1Cor. 5:16. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
In John 20:17 we are told that on the first day of the week after Passover/Pesach, Jesus/Yeshua appeared to Mary Magdalene, (Miriam of Magdala).
The women that came to the tomb (Mary the Mother of James, Salome, and Joanna), then a first appearance to Peter. He also appeared to the rest of the 12 Disciples with Thomas absent, later He appeared to them with Thomas present.
The occasion recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, to 500 at one time, then to James (presumably James the brother of Jesus), then to all the Apostles, and last to Paul himself.
There was also the meeting with the 2 disciples on the Emmaus road.
The 40th day of the Omer was when His Ascension took place and the promise was given to those present that He will return the same way they saw Him go.
His second coming shall be in like manner as Acts 1:10-11 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.
His Cross is the door/Dalet by which whosoever will can enter into the eternal life to be with the Father.
Because of His resurrection, Jesus/Yeshua, has the right to give eternal life to anyone, and by His ascension our Savior entered heaven, keeping the door open for humanity.
His previous Transfiguration which began on another Mountain was completed on the Mountain of Ascension.
The Transfiguration was a manifestation of His glory a powerful demonstration of His divine nature, which He possessed prior to coming to earth in a human body.
Before Abraham was I AM. John 8:58
Undoubtedly, the purpose of His transfiguration, into at least a portion of His heavenly glory, was so that those of His disciples who were closest to Him, could gain a greater understanding of Who He was. Surely He underwent a dramatic change in appearance when the disciples saw Him in His glory.
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 did shine as the sun,” “and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.”
Luke 9:27; Matthew 17:1-8.
One of the purposes of the Transfiguration may have been to strengthen the faith of the disciples in His divine nature before they experienced the shock of the difficult days ahead of them.
In early times, the mount of the Transfiguration had become known as the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:18). It seems to have been known by the faithful, and one tradition identified it with Mount Thabor/Tabor.
The other view, and probably more likely one, is that Mount Hermon was the site of the transfiguration.
Hermon means: Devoted or Sanctified!
Mount Hermon from the Sea of Galilee
It is in the far north, the location of Caesarea Philippi, at the southwestern foothills; 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee to the Golan Heights.
It is situated on a terrace 1,150 feet high overlooking a lush fertile valley. Here also, is the easternmost source for the Jordan River.
It is one of the four major headwaters.
During the Hellenistic period (323 to 31 B.C.), this city was originally called Panias (also spelled Paneas) because of its close association with the Greco-Roman god Pan. The modern name, Banias, is an Arabic corruption of the original.
In order to distinguish it from the harbor city on the Mediterranean called Caesarea Maritima, it became known as Caesarea Philippi. Philip, one of Herod the Great’s sons, renamed it so in honor of Emperor Augustus in 2 B.C.
Here in Caesarea Philippi, there was once a magnificent temple which dominated the landscape, constructed of white marble by Herod the Great to the godhead of Caesar. An earthquake in 363 C.E likely destroyed the city.
There is a cave immediately to the north of Caesarea Philippi.
This cave was said to be the birthplace of the Greco-Roman god Pan/Faunus, the god of nature, fields, forests, mountains, flocks and shepherds.
The pagan worshipers would make sacrifices at the mouth of the cave where they had built a sanctuary to Pan/Faunus.
It would seem to make sense for the transfiguration to take place in that region where Messiah had been ministering and where Peter made his confession.
Not coincidentally, at the base of this mountain was the place known as the gates of Hades, (gates of hell).
To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld (Hades), where they believed fertility gods took up residence during the winter.
This location was especially unique because it stood at the base of a cliff where spring water flowed. At one time, the water ran directly from the mouth of a cave set in the bottom of the cliff. This region is referred to in the Old Testament by the name Baal-gad, which is described in the northernmost conquest of Joshua as being in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon (Josh. 11:17; 12:7; 13:5; also see: Judges 3:3; 1 Chron. 5:23).
The name Baal-gad meant literally Master Luck, the name of a god of fortune who may later have been identified with Pan. One good reason the Bride of Messiah should refrain from using the term good luck when offering encouragement to one another; but rather offer shalom and blessings to each other in Jesus/Yeshuas name.
This region was the northernmost extent of Yeshua/Jesus’ ministry and no doubt He found some privacy here with His disciples in this non-Jewish region, no less, because it was beyond the jurisdiction of Galilee’s ruler, Herod Antipas. It was here in the district of Caesarea Philippi, not long before before His final journey to Jerusalem and crucifixion that He asked the 12 disciples,
Who do you say that I am?
Matt.16:15.
It is a very important point that Jesus/Yeshua chose to ask this question here, since there were few areas anywhere else with more religious significance; and because it was filled with the temples of ancient Syrian Baal worship. Historians have identified at least 14 such temples, it was a place beneath the shadow of ancient gods.
Imagine the scene, Jesus/Yeshua was standing in an area with the temples of the Syrian gods, a place where the Greek gods were believed to look down, and the place where the most important river in Israel has its source, (the Jordan river), and asked them Who they thought He was.
Messiah knew what He was doing when choosing the 3 disciples, Peter, James and John to follow Him to the summit of Mount Hermon. His choice was not random and because of His well-defined objective, He was not concerned the rest would feel rejected or resentful but did what needed to be done. Peter would testify later, saying:
“for we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory: “this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” and we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the HOLY MOUNTAIN.” 2 peter 1.16-18
Some may wonder why He didn’t choose His beloved Mount of Olives, or where He heard the prayer of His servant/prophet Elijah, and responded with fire on Mount Carmel? Or even the Mount of Beatitudes, where He taught, revealing the secrets of eternal life? Why did He choose the highest and most difficult mountain to climb in Israel?
Psalm 133 gives us an answer:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”
Yeshua/Jesus chose Mount Hermon, because He wanted to point out to His disciples what it represents, as described in the Psalm.
It was prophetic because it spoke of unity, harmony and perfect peace/shalom, among the children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven; and accurately portrays the picture of our Heavenly Fathers’ family gathered around His throne. He expresses His joy and delight in seeing His children around Him, the fruit of the sacrifice of His first born, Jesus/Yeshua.
Comparing the joy to: like the precious oil upon the head.
This precious oil upon the head represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the form of a physical anointing/Shavuot/Pentecost; and it is something that can only be understood by those who have had this experience.
Like the dew of Mount Hermon is the reference to the sources of water that form the rivers, which merge together forming the River Jordan. Mount Hermon is the water source for all of Israel. Water is life/chaim, it is impossible to live without its existence and in those days, the greatest wealth of a community was water, for that reason, settlements were always built around wells/water sources. Another reason He said, John 4:14; but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
When the Psalmist writes, the dew of Hermon that descends upon the mountains of Zion, he is portraying the fullness of life that Gods’ children enjoy in His presence.
Mount Hermon could be said to be a sanctuary that is invisible to the eyes of the wicked, being revealed to the chosen ones, because of its splendor and spiritual significance, no wonder the Messiah chose it from among the others and,
from it,
God commands the blessing
and life/chaim/lifes, forevermore!
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”
Small wonder the devil tried to usurp it for his own!
Because of this significance, no doubt Messiah deliberately set Himself against the world’s religions and was asking to be compared with them. Here in this setting, is where Peter boldly replies with his great confession,
You are the Messiah/the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16:16.
Now the significance of this tremendous statement of faith becomes clearer and it changed everything for the disciples.
Then Yeshua/Jesus responds in Matt. 16:17-18 Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell [literally, Hades] shall not prevail against it.
Here His reference to the cave and the gates of Hades at Mount Hermon, makes complete sense!
It is plain from Scripture that His ascension from another mountain, that of Mount of Olives; was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by the disciples. Straining to catch a last glimpse of Yeshua/Jesus, when a cloud hid Him from their view, then, 2 angels appeared and promised the onlookers…in just the same way that you have watched Him go. Acts 1:11.
The daily route Jesus/Yeshua took in and out of the city passed over the Mount of Olives. From ancient times the revered rise overlooking Jerusalem from east was seen with importance.
The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge east of and adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City. It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. He led the disciples over the summit and onto the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Interestingly, the journey was what is defined as a Sabbath’s journey; or a little more than 1/2 mile.
Mark:11:1; [Luke:19:29];[Luke:24:50
The ascension was the ultimate, indisputable evidence that Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach was triumphant, conquering ha satan/the adversary and all his hosts. Here is the extent of His victory, but it also reveals the measure of the power which has been bestowed upon His saints to carry out His work on earth until He returns.
It emphasizes the fact that we are given the serious responsibility of putting His will into effect on earth, as He reigns from heaven.
Matthew 6:9-13 verse 6:10.
The Rabbi/Teacher’s parting words commissioned His people to make disciples of every creature among the nations throughout the earth (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47).
This was 10 days before Shavuot and the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh outpouring.
Pesach/Passover is incomplete and Shavuot/Pentecost obstructed and the Second Coming of Messiah impossible without His Ascension!
Acts 2:5 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Click below for previous posts which focus on Shavuot/Pentecost.
This reference to Cloven Tongues may have been an indication to them that the fire was not strange fire but Holy acceptable fire from heaven.
Leviticus 11:3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
However one of the main meanings to them was that Pentecost/Shavuot was the celebration of the giving of Torah in the wilderness and the manifested presence of God came as fire and remained with them by night for 40 years; and furthermore, fire was always known as a cleansing agent.
This was the presence of God, the impartation of His spirit infilling the properly prepared vessels; igniting that zeal to go and make disciples of all nations.
One final interesting point is that, a critical scene was repeated post resurrection but pre ascension.
The location was beside the Sea of Galilee in Luke 5:1-11; Matt.4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20.
Here in Matthew 4:22, Yeshua/Jesus called them and they left everything to follow Him….. (Have we?)…
But not until after He told them them to let down their nets for a catch. Which they did and pulled in a huge haul of fish.
He stated He would make them fishers of men. Then in John 21, He is again in Galilee beside the sea and tells them to let down their nets for a catch.
Once again the nets were filled to overflowing.
He tells them to come and eat.
Again the reference to feeding them for He is the bread of life.
This is at the end of His time with them.
We see the reference to
the beginning and the end
the first and the last
the Alef and Tav
the Alpha and Omega,
(Rev.22:13)
start and finish of their time with Him.
The catch of fish to becomes the catching of men,
catching souls for the kingdom of the Heavens.
The 2nd time was the place of commissioning.
A question arises always where did the fire, hot coals, fish and bread come from?
The coals/ Stones were hot so it would seem that He had been there a while.
Bring some fish He says.
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. John 21:10
The bread wouldn’t have been the flat crisp sort so that it could be broken, not a soft loaf like we usually think of.
This makes another question. Where did He get the bread from, was it another miracle?
Did He turn some of the stones beside the sea of Galilee into bread?
Stones that look very much like bread!
This was the very subject of an earlier temptation the devil used against Him, to prove that He was the Son of God/YHWH.
Now it was no temptation, but instead, a provision to feed His children-mishpachah/disciples-talmidim/friends-cheverim.
He was and is the Son of the Living God, the Creator of the universe, who took the elements of the dirt of the earth He created to form us. Surely then, as the devil came testing/ tempting Him, He was able to do just that… or it would not have been by its’ very definition – a temptation?
What we do know is everything points to Jesus as Messiah, savior and He points always to the father. Everything has meaning whether we fully understand it or not.
Pentecost/Shavuot was a ‘second giving’, of the Torah.
A giving of Himself, of His risen Spirit/Ruach;
to fill them and fire them up.
His Torah/Word is no longer written on stone but in their,
and our,
hearts of flesh.
He is the living Torah, the living Word made flesh and is still living amongst us.
Knowledge is not the end goal here in these posts… but Relationship is.
Knowledge and understanding, are simply an aid to a deeper understanding of the One who gave His life for us.
This Shavuot /Pentecost allow the Ruach/Spirit of Holy Fire to do His complete work in us that we become vessels fit for the Masters use.
The purpose being that so many more souls are added to His kingdom.
As we are climbing the mountains with Him following His lead know we are soon leaving for home too. It’s possible that when He said earlier meet me in Galilee it was also related to meet me in the kingdom of God because Galilee was a home where the meeting could go on without any distraction! Did Yeshua/Jesus choose Galilee to show them how they would also join Him in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of His Heavens?
Keep your eyes upon Jesus/Yeshua.
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.
Be ready… Look to the Son!
When we look at this do we see son rise or sun set?
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family and cheverim/friends! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing and if you haven’t already, please sign up for free email notification, like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths. MMM will continue as long as the platform is accessible… meanwhile let’s remember
it’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Having just completed the 49 days of Counting the Omer. 
Click link below for more on Dalet/door:
You must be logged in to post a comment.