As I was praying and seeking the Lord this morning, I was lead to the following passages about the time when Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus on the holy mount. First we have Peter’s account.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Pet 1:16-21, ESV2011)
And Matthew gives the following account of what happened on that day,
And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (Matt 17:3-8, ESV2011)
Prophesy from the mouth of God was spoken from heaven in their presence. It was so powerful that they fell on their faces and were terrified.
True prophesy comes when “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” To the extent that we are “carried along by the Holy Spirit” when we write or speaks determines whether it is “prophesy.” No it is not on the level which is recorded in the Bible, but it should always agree with what is there. Peter wrote,
If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Pet 4:11, KJ2000)
Upon seeing Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus, Peter felt compelled to say something religious. In effect he was saying, “Oh wow, Jesus! This is really great. How about I build three tabernacles, one for each of you so we can capture the moment!” Here we have the flesh of Peter speaking out from his carnal mind when he should have been listening in silence to what was being said. As Jesus said, “The flesh profits nothing. My words they are Spirit and they are Life.”
Part of the reason God rebuked Peter was for him putting Jesus on the same plain as Moses and Elijah by building three tabernacles. In the first place, the Father was not interested in enshrining and bringing down to an earthly level what was going on in His heavenly realm. Rather, He was wanting to bring the thoughts, minds and hearts of those men up into His heavenly viewpoint. Men love to build shrines around God’s special spiritual moments. They want to capture what God is doing and bring it down to earth under their control. I was raised in the Catholic church and they, along with their Protestant counterparts, have built a shrine around everything they can think of that could be construed as a spiritual event here on earth. In Israel there are churches built over where they think Jesus was born, where they He died on the cross, and where He was buried for three days. There is even a monastery build on Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments, and another where they figure Elijah was fed by the ravens! There is no end to religious man’s efforts to pull what is heavenly down to an earthly level. It’s all about control, men trying to control and package up what is of God and make a profit while they are at it. I have seen it happen time and again. It sickens me to see on the opening page of a Christian blog or website a “Donate” or a “PayPal” button. Peter warned us about this.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not. (2Pet 2:1-3, AKJV)
Another thing I have observed on the internet is when Christian blog writers go around and steal what other inspired writers share. The other day a man with a very large following put an article I wrote about my testimony on his website without including the web address where he got it. [1] Even worldly writers know that leaving this information out when quoting others is considered plagiarism. And even worse, people have put our books for sale on Amazon and it distinctly says on the back covers of each of them, “This book is not for sale.” We have never sold or asked for donations for anything we have written. We have freely given what God has freely given to us. Peter was right, “many shall follow their pernicious ways… and make merchandise of you.” When man puts his hand on or tries to make a profit on what God is doing, the Holy Spirit leaves and that move of God and prophetic word dies.
The other lesson I see in God’s rebuke of Peter that day is that he was putting Jesus on the same level of importance as the law and the prophets. Moses represented the law and Elijah represented the prophets. But look what God has to say about their purpose and place:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Heb 1:1-3, ESV2011 – emphasis added)
The writings of Moses and the prophets have one purpose – to testify about Jesus Christ (see Luke 24:25-27). Yet, today there are churches who totally focus on the law, and others focus on prophets and prophesy to the point that they exclude the words of Christ. Yet how many are totally given to listening to the Spirit of Christ and obeying His leading?
Peter wrote, “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” The Holy Spirit is that lamp shining in dark places in our hearts and Jesus is the Morning Star who is rising in our hearts as we grow in Christ by listening to His voice and obeying Him.
Dear saints, we would do well to heed the warning from God in this age when lying spirits abound “This is my beloved Son, HEAR YE HIM!”
A Wilderness Voice 
Listen to Him! Yes, that is all we need to know, Michael.
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Michael, I am always excited to read what Holy Spirit drops in your heart from time to time. They always challenge my spirit man to, come up higher. It is obvious to those of us who have been connected in the spirit for some time that this is a journey of change marked by the constant process of dying to self and coming alive to CHRiST. It has been my privilege to embrace you as my brother for many years and to appreciate the many changes that Father has wrought in us. The deeper we descend into the incredible abyss of Father’s fiery loving heart the less of an appeal there is to the things of this old world, religious things at the top of the list. I find it amusing that you shared so much about brother Pete in this blog because once upon a time I asked the Lord who of the disciples was I most like and almost immediately he said, “Peter.” I thought wow Lord that’s so cool, I think if he had allowed me to see HiS face I would have seen a big smile and heard him say, hang on son, you are in for the ride of a lifetime. And HE has not disappointed. I can truthfully say as the old saying goes, I’m not the man I’m going to be but thank God I’m not the man I was. I have come to realize that Ken Burgess was crucified on that cross with Jesus and the new man was resurrected with HiM. Jesus is my “all in all,” all of HiM in all of me/us.
Thanks again for this marvelous Filet Mignon. I shall savor it for awhile. Loves n Hugs to all. KB
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Ken, thanks for your comment. It is good to hear from you again, I got a chuckle out of how you wrote a small “i” in the middle of an all caps CHRIST as well as the all caps, Him. For so many who have not taken up their cross and follow in His step, the always dominant “I” just keeps getting bigger.
Yes, I relate to Peter, the apostle with the foot shaped mouth. When I look back on the things I have said in the past, especially when I thought I was “ministering” to believers and I want to gag. God is so patient with us. Surely the flesh profits NOTHING! Yes, my brother, it has been a “ride.” But there is hope for, “Now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1John 3:2, KJ2000). NOW, in all our imperfections, now we are the sons of God during this whole process He is putting us through so that when Christ appears we will be like Him and able to see HIM just as HE is. Oh, the grace and mercy of God!
Love and hugs back to you and yours,
Michael
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Wise and insightful. I am truly sorry you have been the victim of plagiarism. I believe, however, that God will use your work to reach hearts (whoever may falsely lay claim to it).
Your friend,
A.
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Yes, Anna, when He speaks His word never returns unto Him without accomplishing for Him why it was sent.
Thanks for your comment, dear sister.
Michael
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Que el Señor nos dé oídos para oírlo a Él.
Cuando el Señor nos permite compartir algo de Él o algo que Él nos haya revelado, Él es el autor de eso que nos permite compartir. Creo que ahí acaba nuestra lucha por los derechos de autor. Los del mundo tienen sus luchas con sus derechos de autor porque en el corazón del hombre sin Dios hay egoísmo y celos por aquello que escriben o inventan, pero creo que en nuestro caso, Dios es el autor de lo que nos inspira y si Él quiere que lo compartamos, lo hacemos por obediencia a Él; a no ser que sea un testimonio personal, como en tu caso Michael, que ese escritor debió hacer alusión a ti, porque era tu testimonio. Pero, muchas veces la gente comparte lo que yo escribo, pero con sus propias palabras y eso está bien, porque al fin y al cabo, eso es de Él y no mío. Esto ha sido un trato de Dios a mi vida. Sin embargo, sí hay gente que se aprovecha para sacar ventaja de aquello que Dios le ha dado a otros para hacer mercadería.
Que el Espíritu nos guíe en todas las cosas y que Su nombre sea glorificado.
Abrazos desde la distancia, para ti y para mi querida Susanne.
Patricia. XOXOXOXOXOXO
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Patricia wrote:
May the Lord give us ears to hear Him.
When the Lord allows us to share something of Him or something that He has revealed to us, He is the author of that which allows us to share. I think that is where our fight for copyright ends. Those of the world have their struggles with their copyrights because in the heart of man without God there is selfishness and jealousy for what they write or invent, but I believe that in our case, God is the author of what inspires us and if He wants that we share it, we do it out of obedience to Him; Unless it is a personal testimony, as in your case Michael, that that writer must have alluded to you, because it was your testimony. But, many times people share what I write, but with their own words and that is fine, because after all, that is His and not mine. This has been God’s deal in my life. However, there are people who take advantage to take advantage of what God has given to others to make merchandise.
May the Spirit guide us in all things and may His name be glorified.
Hugs from a distance, for you and my dear Susanne.
Patricia. XOXOXOXOXOXO
P.D: I wish you made me understand and google translated it well.
Bye
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Where I draw the line in regards to copyrighting the inspired words that Christians have published is when authors request that all there publications are to be distributed as free and no charge. That is the way it should be. As Jesus told the disciples when he sent them out by twos, “Free you have received, freely give.” No, where I draw the line is when the wishes of the authors to make them free are violated and taken by “Christian” hucksters and sold or even republished and then sold. This is nothing less than theft and plagiarization. On the backs of all the books we have written and published (by Vision Publishing) is says, “This book is not for sale” yet we find them on Amazon and in used book stores for sale. T.A. Sparks made it very clear that none of His writings were to be sold, yet there are businesses republishing them and doing just that. On our website we give permission for all our writings to be shared and quoted from on the net, but only if they are accompanied by the web URL where they were taken from. We do that in case a reader wants to read more of what God has given us.
http://www.awildernessvoice.com/Redistribution.html
This brother who republished my testimony on his huge site and openly begs for donations on it did not do that.
Thanks for your comment, Patricia,
Michael
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Dear Patricia,
Not everything we share from our heart must necessarily have come from God. It is wonderful when people come closer to God because of what we have shared publicly with them. But I believe Michael is right here. God is jealous of His Spirit that dwells in us. If we indeed belong to the Body of Christ, we will always mention another Christian’s input in our life by referring to them personally, not to ourselves as this would obviously be selfish. I know if I didn’t obey God regarding this, I would immediately feel His displeasure (which I do not want at all). Furthermore, I was just reminded of a part of Scriptures I published lately as to this very issue.
May God keep us in His strong grip and lead us wherever He wants.
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Amén, lo que dije lo hice porque me duele ver la mayoría de cristianos de megaiglesias luchando por sus derechos de autor y cosas parecidas, tienen una agenda tan ocupada que toca sacar cita con ellos, es muy triste lo que uno ve en la cristiandad de estos momentos. Oro mucho porque tengo una hermana en la sangre que se autoproclama pastora y profeta y usa la palabra del Señor a su acomodo, eso duele en el corazón.
Eso fue lo que quise decir, cuando dije lo de los derechos de autor. Me refería a ese tipo de circunstancias que uno ve a diario en redes sociales y en gente muy cercana.
Patricia wrote;
Amen, what I said I did because it hurts me to see the majority of Christians in megachurches fighting for their copyright and similar things, they have such a busy schedule that they have to make an appointment with them, it is very sad what one sees in Christianity in these moments. I pray a lot because I have a sister in my blood who proclaims herself a pastor and prophet and uses the word of the Lord to accommodate her, that hurts my heart.
That’s what I meant when I said about copyright. I was referring to those kinds of circumstances that one sees every day on social networks and in very close people.
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Dear Patricia.
Yes, the commercialization of Christianity sickens me as well. Mega-churches are run like corporate America complete with senior pastors (CEO’s), boards of directors, chief financial officers, appointment schedules and guards to make sure you do not get a “private audience” with the “pastor” without being screened by the appointment secretary. Gone are the days when the pastor of a small intimate church would come to your home to visit or come to see you in the hospital. Oh, and least I forget, the merchandising of their ministries where everything has a price on it and the constant pleas for more money.
When the disciples stopped women with children from bringing them to Jesus, He rebuked them and said, “Forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” He was available at all times and because of the press of the crowd and would have to get away alone from time to time to spend time with the Father, but He never appointed the disciples to keep people away. The sad fact of today’s churches is that we have become sheep without a shepherd. It is because or this that I no longer seek human shepherds. David had it right when he wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd…” Paul knew God as his supply in all things.
Thanks for writing.
Your brother, Michael
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Así es Michael, en estos días he estado muy acongojada por todo lo que uno ve en la cristiandad, me he sentido como Elías, cuando se echó debajo de un enebro sintiéndose solo, pero el Señor le recordó que no estaba solo, que habían otros profetas que no habían doblado sus rodillas ante Baal. Esto me recuerda que hay personas con corazón para el Señor, que han salido de ese sistema y no les interesa volver a estar bajo la cobertura de los hombres, sino de Cristo. Hay muchos hermanos aquí, amigos cercanos que están regresando a las iglesias, se han vuelto judíos mesiánicos, mientras el mundo se cae a pedazos, ellos siguen buscando sus propios caminos y no escuchando la voz del Señor que les dice “Salgan fuera del campamento”.
Ahora más que nunca veo que los tratos de Dios son tan necesarios en nuestra vida y le doy gracias al Señor por eso, nuestros ojos se abren cuando el Señor nos descoyunta.
Un abrazo desde la distancia.
Patricia
This is Michael, these days I have been very saddened by everything that one sees in Christendom, I have felt like Elijah, when he threw himself under a juniper feeling lonely, but the Lord reminded him that he was not alone, that there were others prophets who had not bowed their knees to Baal. This reminds me that there are people with a heart for the Lord, who have left that system and are not interested in returning under the cover of men, but of Christ. There are many brothers here, close friends who are returning to the churches, they have become Messianic Jews, while the world is falling apart, they keep looking for their own ways and not listening to the voice of the Lord that tells them “Get out of the camp.” .
Now more than ever I see that God’s dealings are so necessary in our lives and I thank the Lord for that, our eyes open when the Lord dislodges us.
A hug from a distance.
Patricia
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Patricia, this returning to the Old Covenant (Messianic Judaism) is what Paul was addressing in Galatians, “Oh you foolish Galatians! Are you now going to try and accomplish in the flesh what you started out in the Spirit?” or as it says in Proverbs, “A fool returns to his folly like a dog returns to his vomit.”
“Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherein Christ has set you free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
It is a human weakness to want to have fellowship with other humans, but God makes it clear that unless our fellowship is with the Father and the Son, we will never know true Spirit fellowship with one another. Thanks for your comment.
Stand fast,
Michael
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