From the desk of Pastor Ben
Promise of His Return Restated – Part 1

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
                                    (Matthew 16:28)

In light of Jesus’ growing opposition by the Jewish leaders and His predictions of impending death, it was surely with some skepticism that the disciples heard their Lord’s promise of one day returning in glory. Understanding the disciples’ confusion and weak faith, Jesus repeated the promise, adding that “some of those who are standing here . . .will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

“Taste death” was a common Jewish expression that referred to drinking the cup of death, or in other words, to dying. Jesus assured the disciples that some of them would see Him “coming in His kingdom” before they died.

To understand correctly what Jesus meant, it is first of all helpful to know that the Greek word basileia (kingdom) was often used as a term to mean “royal majesty” or “regal splendor” — in much the same way that scepter has been used figuratively to represent royal power and authority. Used in that way, basileia would refer to a manifestation of Jesus being king rather than a literal earthly reign. His promise could therefore be translated, “until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingly splendor.” That’ exactly what Peter, James, and John saw six days later at His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8).

Ask Yourself:
What do you do with selected statements of Scripture that seem obviously contradictory to each other or to your own experience? In light of this one, which seems on its face to be untrue, what do you gain by beginning with confidence in the truthfulness of His Word?