Shining Face

...the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

 - From Luke 9

How did Peter, John, and James know that the two men with Jesus, were Moses and Elijah?

The Bible leaves so many details out, that what remains must be very, very important. We can use our imaginations, or maybe just our common sense, to fill in the blanks.

The three disciples, who we might call "The Inner Circle" were experiencing a moment in time. Or perhaps more accurately, a moment outside of time. God intersected our time and space with the eternal realm, where time is of no consequence. Five important figures from history were brought together in that moment, with the Son of God:

Peter, John, James, Moses, and Elijah. 

It says later on in the New Testament, that in the Kingdom of God, we shall "know as we are known." I think that means that all knowledge is available to us, in eternity.

As that single moment opened up for the Inner Circle, suddenly they became part of it, and they just knew. 

And even if they didn't, the context made it clear to them: this is Moses, and that is Elijah. And it wouldn't be too far-fetched if a sort-of introduction happened. 

"My friends: behold Moses, and Elijah!"

Remember how Moses' face shown when he came down from the mountain, after 40 days and night with God? The same thing happened to Jesus at His Transfiguration. Except, many times over. 

After walking as a man . . .as only a man, for all of His life, now God the Father finally showers divine Glory upon Him. The Lamb is Worthy. He has been obedient. The Disciples (or at least these three), finally get it. They sort of see what's happening to them, and for them. They are ready to see the glory of God and Jesus, their friend, in the midst of it. He is changed before their eyes. He is above and beyond the time-line and physical space. 

This is what it's all about. God's Kingdom is here!