Matthew 16:24-28 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
These verses have been the cause of much debate. Because of this, I have acquainted myself with the common interpretations of this passage. Unfortunately, none of them adequately explain the depth of Christ meaning when He said, “Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Some say: 1. Transfiguration? 2. Pentecost? 3. The apostle John?
If we do not force an interpretation on the passage, but allow it to speak for itself, we will find it much easier to understand what Jesus is saying.
From the passage we may conclude . . .
1. Jesus is going to leave and then come again.
2. Persons were present that would not experience death until Jesus comes.
3. It would be at the time when Jesus has established His earthly kingdom.
There’s only one specific event in history to which this passage can refer. I believe it looks far into the future until we come to The Reign of Christ when He is seated upon The Great White Throne Judgment spoken of in Daniel 7:9-15 & Revelation 20:11-15.
I believe we can prove this by considering the question, “Of whom were these words spoken?” (v 27-28).
1. Is this a Commendation to a select number of saints or is it a statement of Condemnation to the unsaved? Notice, Shall not taste death, till…
2. It is obvious Jesus has not yet returned and that none of those living then are alive now.
3. There is only one reasonable conclusion – Jesus is speaking of Judas and those who will stand at the GWTJ. All who stand at the GWTJ are lost and will be judged! All who stand there will “Taste Death” Daniel 7:9-10.
Those who know the Savior WILL NOT “taste death.” In John 8:51 says believers “shall never see death.”
When the Holy Spirit sought for a term to describe our Lord’s death on the cross, He used the phrase to “taste death.”
Hebrews 2:9 We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
John 8:52 The Jews say to him, “Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.”
To “Taste death” is to experience “The Second Death.” That which kills both the body and the soul in Hell forever (Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8; Matt 10:28).
Please consider with me The First of Two Primary Points!
#1. Man’s physical death is only a shadow of what will occur at the GWTJ.
In consideration of time: Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
All men will meet with death. Some suddenly… Some will linger… The act of dying takes only a moment. However,…
· To Taste Death is to experience a death that never ends.
· Those who Taste Death will experience eternal misery – no comfort, no rest, no calm, no peace.
· The words of the rejected Savior will ring in their ears for all eternity.
· If you are afraid of dying; you should be ten thousand times more afraid of “Tasting Death” at the GWTJ!
“Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
In consideration of loss: The loses are very different!
Physical death means losing – Family,… Friends,… Fortunes,… Worldly pleasures & comforts; Man can and has endured such loses.
The GWTJ means losing…
· Heaven
· God's loving presence & glory
· Jasper sea & gates of pearl
· The songs of an angelic choir
· Peace & immortality
· The crown of life
· All hope for all eternity
“Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
In consideration of terror: The Judgment Throne (The Lord, The angels, The Saints, The book of life, The city of God, The lake of fire, The lost).
“Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Christians will view this awful event: 2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
#2. What happens when a man dies without Christ?
He’ll be confronted with several real & eternal discoveries.
At death there is the discovery that…
- There is a Righteous God who does punish sin.
- The pleasures of sin were the deception of Satan.
- The Word of God is true after all.
- The Blood of Christ is precious beyond measure.
- The Savior’s love is immeasurable.
- The glory of Heaven is forever lost to those who die without Christ.
- The terrors of Hell are real.
“Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
