Bible Study Seattle

The glorious manifestation epiphaneia seems quite like Moses and the people at Mount Sinai.  This is one instance where all the people saw the glory of the Lord together.  Moses is first called up the mountain for special instructions:

“In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.  When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.  Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:  ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.  Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!”   Exodus 19:1-8

This opening sequence is reminiscent of Jesus’ first coming.  Jesus’ people or disciples promised to do what he commanded.  Then God sends his holy spirit for more than two days to consecrate the people:

“And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.  The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.  You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.  No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”  So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.  He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”  Exodus 19:8-15

After Jesus first coming and the intervening ministry of the Holy Spirit for more than two ‘days’, the second coming happens:

“So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.”  Exodus 19:16-17

Notice that it happened on the third day in the morning.  Notice also the very loud trumpet sound.  (Feast of trumpets?)  Then the people come near with Moses (Jesus) going back and forth up the mountain to receive instruction from God.

“Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.  When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.  The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.  Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.”  Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’”  Then the Lord said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.”  So Moses went down to the people and told them.”  Exodus 19:18-25

The Lord descending upon the mountain in fire is the Epiphaneia.  It’ll probably be like this:

“In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.”  Zechariah 14:4

After the epiphaneia comes the Jubilee Millennium where the people are instructed exactly how to live for the Lord.  Ultimately the people will be able to go up the mountain to meet the Lord without dying, but not until all sin has been blotted out.