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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. No one deserves worship but Jesus! We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. Jesus wants them to know that he is the King of glory, and one day he will wear the crown; but the cross would come before the crown. And it happened at the foot of Mt. At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. This is where audiobooks are helpful. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? died on Mt. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. But as Jesus might say, We cant work effectively for God in the valley until we have been transformed spiritually with God on the mountain. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. The greatest experiences of my life have been the times when God moved in power, and make himself none to me through his word and by his Spirit; making Jesus real to my heart! Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. I call them mountain-top experiences! To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Telling the stories from our mountain tops with others, sharing the insights we have learned and intentionally seeking out stories from others about their time on the mountain. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. This is the walk Jesus makes of his life. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. Gorgeous mountain views off the deck 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. He fulfilled what the. So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus dead on the Cross as the Lamb of God means Exodus, freedom from sins bondage to all who will apply the blood of Jesus to their heart in faith! Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. This often propels us into a greater service for God. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Jesus is dazzling glory is talking to Moses who had been dead over fourteen hundred years and to Elijah who had been gone about nine hundred. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. The Mountaintop Experience. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. He has it all in control. Ron & Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development engineering due to the privatisation of the power industry. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. Send us feedback. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. Have you been born again? They see His Glory and they worship Him! Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. We learned this word in school, a caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, that caterpillar wraps a cocoon around itself and goes through the process of change. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop I love life! As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. Cable TV and high speed internet. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. That thought even reminds me of a song that was once sung by a group that was known as Blood, Sweat and Tears entitled "Spinning Wheel". Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. Heaven or Hell! By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. We recognize that many of us will not have the privilege to live our lives on the top of a mountain, whether literally or figuratively. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Heaven will not be a place of strangers. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. Husband of Orlena. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was because in the days ahead they would be discouraged, disillusioned as they saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. The story in our text today is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and I believe it's the source of the phrase "A Mountain Top Experience. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. Like the testing of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19), the receiving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. It was the voice of the Heavenly Father, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. The experience completely mortifiedPeter, James, and Johnuntil Jesus calmed them, and they saw that only Jesus remained. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). Accessed 4 Mar. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. (. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. In the last days the mountain of the Lords house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mountaintop, Nglish: Translation of mountaintop for Spanish Speakers. David Benner says, Our challenge is to unmask the divine in the natural and name the presence of God in our lives. The second part of Listen to Your Life is just as important and that is developing the gift of listening to each others stories. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. This reminds me of Church! But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. But God never intended for us to live there. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. All Rights Reserved. Hermon. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus is the. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. 17:7)." There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. Define mountaintop. In. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. Why Elijah and Moses? Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. This is the walk all . I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Shes still not sure whats she supposed to do with what shes learning, and now shes in her own personal waiting period trusting God to clarify her next move. It involves a series of visual maps which are designed to help us sort through the chapters of our life story and rediscover clues about those places in our life where God has been, and is continuing to work. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. Moses is a prime example of this. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. The sum total of all of the things he had done and experienced in life had brought him to the place where he stood at that moment in time. Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' Moses and company obeyed, hiking to the foot of the mountain where an astonishing thing happened: they saw the God of Israel, and they lived to talk about it! Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. was the founder of Israels worship of God. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, Come, lets go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. It is the most sacred spot on earth! 17:4). By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Sinai with Joshua and Owen during our last days in Egypt, watching the sun rise over the vast chains of mountains in the desert there, and experience a diverse and international group of pilgrims praying their unique prayers at the top. . It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. I have established you on the mountaintop. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus! Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. If not, why not today? Confront the Danger. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. For Christians, it seems that anything from a relaxing woods retreat to a Mountain-Dew-induced sugar-high at a youth conference can gain the mountaintop moniker. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. Recently, when I was complaining to a friend about waiting for God to do something, this spiritually wise person noted that God almost never hurries. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. But the ecstasy was short-lived because when Jesus predicted his suffering and death on a cross, Peter reacted so negatively to this unexpected news that Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . 1:20). Living, Planning, Dying Well: Getting Your Affairs in Order, 2023 Youth Sunday & Souper Bowl of Caring, Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Advent Gift Market a yearlong commitment to mission. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. He reflected on the massive amount of time, effort and energy it took to reach the specific goals that he had laid out for his life. The word, . Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. n. The summit of a mountain. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. On one day, we drove to the top of the mountains on Trail Ridge Road that cuts right through Rocky Mountain National Park peaking at an elevation of 12,000 feet - a literal arctic tundra in northern Colorado. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA, Later that day in February, Ms. Dean visited the, The Tanners handed the Red & Black their first loss of the season and reminded everyone who sits atop the Middlesex, The duo in recent days flew back to Los Angeles from the snowy city of Aspen, Colorado, where they were huddled in deep planning, and now like holy figures coming down from the, The best team in the states largest classification reached the, In the film, Korean detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is probing the death of a climber who fell from a, Post the Definition of mountaintop to Facebook, Share the Definition of mountaintop on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. What an amazing sight! (see Exodus 19) You learn something new about who God is. A time when you just felt like Gods Spirit was all over you, and around you, and joy filled your heart, and you just felt like you were going to bust! goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. 1:19). (Mark 9:2-3 ESV) Jesus takes his inner circle to a mountain with him and they experience a "God thing." It was something unlike anything they had ever seen. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. The valley is not what you may think. Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. II. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. . the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. They are solid and unmovable. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. 17:2). Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . To get on higher ground, to climb above the mundane, and get in the place where the glory of God can touch our lives, and we can see JESUS as He is in glory and power, and hear God speak to our hearts. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. When the back doors of the church opened, and there. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! As for how this takes shape in the coming future, I dont really know and I am okay with that because I am very confident that my job is to be willing and available and He will open and close doors.