-AD 29-
Caesarae Philippi
Title: Kingdom Promised
Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:26-27)
-Matthew-
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)
Jesus is talking about His second coming, when He will come in glory to judge the world. This is a great contrast to His first coming when He was abused and despised by the people. But at his second coming we will see the Captain of our salvation coming in pomp and royal power; in kingship, rule, and dominion. At His first coming He was attended by His poor disciples; at His second coming He will be attended by glorious angels.
He refers to Himself as the Son of Man to show His humble state and that He is not ashamed to admit it. It is unmistakably clear that His second coming will be personal, physical and visible.
When he returns, He will reward every man according to his works. First, Jesus Christ will come as a judge, to dispense rewards and punishments. Secondly, Men will then be rewarded, not according to what they have accomplished in the world, but according to what they did. Some will experience eternal judgment and the faithful will receive the crown of life. Thirdly, We should prepare for His coming by taking up our cross and following Him, so that things will pass favorably to our account. Fourthly, the rewarding of men according to their works will be deferred until then.
We may never see good rewarded or evil punished, but in that day all will be set right.
Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28)
“Assuredly” implies that what He says next will surely, truly or of a truth happen, just as he describes it. The approach of His kingdom in this world is so near, that some of those He is speaking to will not die before it takes place. He is not now talking about the end of the world, when he will come in glory, but about coming in His own kingdom where He is mediator. They will get a glimpse of it in a few days when they see His transfiguration. But this points to Christ’s coming by the pouring out of His Spirit, the planting of the gospel church, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the taking away of the place of the Jews who were the enemies of Christianity. Many who were present would live to see it, particularly John, who would live until after the destruction of Jerusalem.
-Mark-
And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” (Mark 9:1)
Christ is predicting the coming of His kingdom, which is coming close upon His death. There are some who are present and listening to Him who will still be alive to see this prophesy fulfilled. His kingdom will be set up in the world by the total destruction of the Jewish nation, which stood in the way of it. The kingdom would come with power, so that it could withstand all opposition to it. There would be vengeance taken against the Jews, and the idolatry of the gentiles would be conquered.
Just prior to this, Jesus had begun to tell the disciples about the sufferings that were ahead for Him, so that they wouldn’t be offended when it happened. But six days after He spoke to them, they would get a glimpse of His glory at His transfiguration.
-Luke-
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)
Jesus will appear in all His glory at the Second Coming; the glory He had with the Father before the world was created. He will be attended by the holy angels, who will minister to Him and declare His majesty and glory. He will establish His kingdom at this time and execute judgment upon the world. There is a warning here for those who have refused to acknowledge Christ; they will be disappointed when they stand before Him. Those who have rejected Him and His teachings will be excluded from the kingdom. He will say, “I never knew you.”
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:27)
Peter interprets this verse in 2 Peter 1:16-18. He wrote: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of His majesty. For we received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.” The disciples saw the Kingdom when He was transfigured on the mount. That’s what Peter said and I believe him.
