“Called Up The Mountain!”(Ex 24:12-18).
In today’s text the LORD asked Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the laws and commands I have written for their instruction.”
Moses, accompanied by his aide Joshua, went up the mountain, “the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai… To the Israelites, the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire…”
The complementary lessons include “The Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain where “as he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” Moses and Elijah appeared and were speaking with him. A cloud appeared and enveloped the three disciples whom Jesus took up the mountain with him. They heard a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”*(Lk.9:28-36).
The other lesson is John the apocalypse recounting his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos where he was exiled. It was the Lord’s Day, and John was in the Spirit when he heard a voice like a trumpet which said: *”Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches…” Among other bodily descriptions of the speaker, “his voice was like the sound of rushing waters… His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance…”*(Rev 1:9-18).
Based on these three readings, we are inspired to locate the interrelationship between *Theophany, Epiphany, and Christophany.”*
Theophany is the appearance of God, or manifestation of deity in sensible form. Epiphany “is a moment of clarity or revelation that is triggered by a person, object, or situation.”
Christophany on its part “is a non-physical appearance or manifestation of Christ.”
It is generally considered that the epiphanies of the Old Testament foreshadowed the final revelation of God through the incarnation.
The incarnation is, however, not a theophany because the incarnation is God become man; not God manifesting himself.
Besides, the Transfiguration of Jesus is an epiphany because the disciples saw his glory and heard the voice oftheLORD.
With theophany and Christophany can also be epiphanies.
Take note that we cannot explain deeper than this as if we are in a lecture on systematic theology! Let it be helpful to you as you read your Bible on your own.
What is important for us today is that:
- The experience of the glory of the LORD firsthand happens in isolated or secluded places. You must get to a place of seclusion to be in communion with the LORD.
- God calls to that place of seclusion to give a message that will benefit all his children. To Moses, it was for him to receive the tablets of commandments and laws. To the apostles with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration they were to listen to Jesus, God’s beloved Son and to John on the island of Patmos he was to write to the churches for building up the Christians in the way of the LORD.
- Finally, to the rest of us: before we run to wherever we hear that there is a theophany or an epiphany or a Christophany, we should ask the question: How does it bring any benefit in building my faith and the body of Christ? If it doesn’t, then don’t bother yourself!
Sunday prayer: May the glory of the LORD be revealed to you for the edification of his people. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
09/02/2025.