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.
Click link below for more on Ascension
https://www.minimannamoments.com/are-we-in-a-divine-pause/
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.
Dalet door of the cross
Click link below for more on Dalet/door:
https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-pesach-dalet-in-time-a-man-between-2-realms-yonah-and-the-watches-of-the-night/
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.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/50-days-later-an-earthly-and-spiritual-harvest-pentecost-shavuot/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/2-x-3000-a-marriage-made-in-heaven/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-look-of-shavuot/
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