Let's first check the eleven other places in which the Greek word "horama" is used in the New Testament. How many of these 11 truly refer to what we usually call "a vision", that is, a supernatural manifestation through which God speaks to people or reveals a truth of some kind. How many of these "visions" are simply unusual sights, but genuine events?
Acts 7:31 "When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord:
Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
Acts 9:12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight."
Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!"
Acts 10:17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate;
Acts 10:19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.
Acts 11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me,
Acts 12:9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 16:9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
Acts 16:10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 18:9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
Notice in Acts 12:9, Peter
thought he was seeing a vision, but an angel actually appeared to him and rescued him from prison. This is a good example of how the NT writers did not understand visions as physical reality.
Of the 11 Scriptures, it seems that
only one might be thought to have been an actual physical event. The NASB translators as well most other translators obviously thought that this was the case with Moses and the burning bush. I am not so sure. It certainly is possible that this was a vision which God gave Moses to get his attention so that He could speak to him. It seems that Darby as well as the JB2000 translators thought the same. In both translations, the word in Acts 7:31 is given as "vision".
TK you wrote:In particular, if it was merely a vision, I take this to mean it didnt really happen; i.e. moses and elijah were not really there talking to Jesus about things to come.
Yes, that is how I take it also.
If this is true, was Jesus watching the vision as well, or was he part of it? (i.e. Jesus was really there, but talking to nobody).
I don't think Jesus was seeing the vision. Yes, He was part of it. For He was "transformed" before them. In the vision they experienced, Moses and Elijah were talking to this transformed Jesus. I don't think Jesus Himself was talking to anyone. It is interesting that Luke tells us that Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep prior to seeing the vision. That can be a suitable frame of mind for a vision. However, Luke also says they were fully awake when they saw Moses and Elijah, and the transformation of Jesus.
Was Jesus talking to "figments" of moses and elijah? Or were the disciples seeing figments of all three?
I don't think the actual Jesus was talking to anyone. But the tranformed Jesus whom they saw in the vision, was talking in the vision with Moses and Elijah.
Paul described his damascus experience as a vision, but I dont think that means he really didnt see the Lord.
Yes, though a different Greek word "optasia" is used here. But it probably means much the same. I think that Paul had a vision of Jesus. And that may have been the way Jesus appeared to him. Just because it was a vision makes His appearance no less real.
Here are two other places where "optasia" occurs:
Luke 1:22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.
Luke 24:23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
Did the angel Gabriel "really" appear to Zacharias? Did the angels "really" appear to the women at the tomb? I would answer "yes" in both cases, since that is perhaps the way in which angels normally appear to people since they are immaterial beings.
However, in the case in question, I suppose if one believes that Moses and Elijah are disembodied spirits, it would make similar sense to say that they "really" appeared to Peter and his companions. But Moses actually died, and we are not told what the status of Elijah is. So I believe that Moses, being dead, could not have appeared to anyone. Nevertheless, there is the extra-biblical book "The Assumption of Moses" which I understand teaches (in its original form), contrary to the Biblical record, that Moses was taken up to the Lord also.
In the case of Enoch and Elijah, My opinion is that physical bodies of Enoch and Elijah have been miraculously preserved, and that they are to return to earth in the days of the Great Tribulation when they will be the two witnessess described in Revelation. At that time, they will be killed at the hands of Christ's enemies, and thus will experience death for the first time. Then they will have their resurrection after 3 days.