If the dead don’t immediately go to heaven, how did Moses and Elijah appear at the transfiguration?
Texts in question: Luke 9:29, 30; Matthew 17:1–3; Mark 9:3, 4 “As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah.” Proof texts: 2 Kings 2:11; Jude 9 One of the most powerful stories in the Gospels is that of Christ’s transfiguration. In the sight of Peter, James, and John, Jesus temporarily shed His earthly form and allowed them to see His divinity. The Father’s voice then pierced the sky, saying He was well pleased with Jesus, His son. The experience was so powerful to those who saw it that Peter affirms its validity in his epistle, 2 Peter 1:16–18. The text might be troubling, however, to those who otherwise understand that people go to sleep at death to await a bodily resurrection at Christ’s return. How can Moses and Elijah have been present at the transfiguration if they are waiting for the resurrection? To make sense of this, we must first understand two important p