For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honour 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 v. 16 - 18

It was the inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John, that Jesus brought to the top of an high mountain and was transfigured before them and his robe became white like snow. The Glory of Christ was revealed to them with a warning, "tell no one the things you have seen, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead ".

The Glory of God, was revealed to Moses many times, we read in Exodus 34 v 29 - 35 how Moses communed with God and the skin of his face shone and after speaking with the children of Israel he put a veil over his face.

Elijah too saw something of the Glory of God for in 1 Kings 19 v 9 - 13 we read how Elijah was feeling depressed with the assault of the enemy. He was told to "go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord " And behold the Lord passed by and the Lord came to Elijah in a still small voice. The Glory of God passed through the mountain just for Elijah to be comforted and strengthened.

In our passage today Peter, an old man, with only a few years left to live on the earth, recounts the splendour of the occasion. This is true he tells the new Christians, he was an eye-witness to God's Glory and he emphasises this with these words:

" ..... we were with him on the Holy Mountain. "

With witnesses like Moses, Elijah and Peter we know that the Glory of God is no fairy tale.

Eternal Light, Eternal Light,

How pure the soul must be,

When placed within thy searching sight,

It shrinks not, but with calm delight,

Can live and look on thee.

Thomas Binney