The Transfiguration
One
The Transfiguration
It’s easy to feel like going to Mass and Confession regularly doesn’t impact us or the world. But through the Transfiguration we better understand that Mass and Confession are the direct ways in which Jesus comes into our lives, does battle with Satan, and drives him out.
The Transfiguration marks a crucial turning point in Jesus’ ministry, focusing on his impending Journey to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise. Jesus chose Mt. Tabor for this event because it overlooks the valley of Armageddon, the place where the most decisive battles in the history of the world were fought.
Why there? Because Israel or Palestine is the land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. And if you want to control those areas then you must control the crossing point which is the Jezreel Valley in Israel, otherwise known as the Valley of Armageddon.
So, Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to the top of Mt. Tabor overlooking the valley of Armageddon to prepare them to enter with Him into the most important battle of human history, the battle between Jesus and Satan which will be waged in His passion death and Resurrection.
The Book of Revelation helps us understand the Transfiguration of Jesus because Revelation is not primarily about a battle at the end of the world with tanks and soldiers and even nuclear weapons. The Book of Revelation is primarily about Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin and death.
That victory is made present in the Mass and the sacraments.
Two
The Book of Revelation and its Context
The Book of Revelation depicts the great battle between Jesus and Satan illustrated in Chapter 12. Chapter 14 introduces the Lamb, Jesus standing on Mount Zion, setting the stage for the Battle against the Dragon. Chapter 16 describes the battle of Armegeddon drawing parallels between King Josiah, the only righteous king of Israel, and Jesus the ultimate King of the Universe.
When King Josiah was in his early 30’s he cleansed the Temple. He celebrated a New Passover with his friends. Then he is struck down in battle by Pharaoh, Neco in the Valley of Armageddon when he was pierced in the heart by archers.
Jesus was 33 years old. He cleansed the Temple. Then He celebrated a New Passover with the 12 Apostles at the Last Supper. Then He is struck down in battle against the Devil when a sword pierces His Sacred Heart on the Cross.
Three
A Fountain of Grace
Revelation continues the parallel between Josiah and Jesus. In chapter 16 an angel cries out, “It is done!” From the Cross, Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” Immediately in Revelation 16 there was a great earthquake. Likewise, the second Jesus dies there is an Earthquake. Then John tells us, “One of the soldiers pierced the heart of Jesus with a spear and at once there came out blood and water.” And John writes, “Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’”
This is a prophecy from Zechariah 12:10. Listen to it, “When they look on him whom they have pierced they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first born. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.”
Hadad rimmon is Josiah. Then Zechariah says, “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” 13:1
“A fountain.” When is a fountain opened that will cleanse us from sin? On Calvary!
The Book of Revelation is saying that the battle of Armageddon is the battle between Jesus and Satan that was waged on Calvary where Jesus conquered by His Suffering Death and Resurrection! And the Fountain which cleanses us from sin is the Blood and Water flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the water of Baptism and the Precious Blood of the Eucharist!
Four
The True Meaning of Armageddon
Armageddon represents not a future battle, but the decisive struggle between Jesus and Satan on Mt. Calvary. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus, the Lamb, defeated Satan, the Dragon, along with sin and death.
Paul's words in Colossians 2:15 affirm that Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them. The Book of Revelation, therefore, describes a past battle on Calvary, with Jesus' victory made present in the Mass and Sacraments, allowing believers to share in His triumph.
Five
Participation in Christ's Victory
Jesus' victory on the Cross is continually made present in the Mass and the Sacraments. Through Baptism, the Eucharist, and Reconciliation, believers participate in Christ's victory, enabling Him to conquer Satan, sin, and death in their lives daily. This ongoing participation ensures that what Jesus accomplished continues to work in believers, maintaining the power of His victory over Satan in their lives.
Jesus took Peter James on John with him to the top of Mt Tabor to prepare them to join him in his battle against Satan. They fled before the moment of victory on Calvary. Jesus likewise wants us to take part in His victory on Calvary. He makes that victory present in the Mass and the Sacraments. Let us join him there where Christ will continually defeat Satan in our lives!
So, stop fighting on your our own. Let Jesus in and experience the peace.