The Kingdom on Earth:

Daniel 7:13-14 “...I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed...”

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

Mark 9:1 “...And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power...”

Luke 9:27 “...But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God...”

What is being said here?

• The kingdom is coming.
• The kingdom will be seen.

Context:

• Peter got it - Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
• Peter missed it - rebuking Jesus for suggesting that He was heading to His death.
• Denying self is necessary to follow Jesus.
• Jesus declares that some standing with Him would not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
• Six days later (8 in Luke), Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain.

How was Christ transfigured?

• Matt.17:2,3 - face shone like sun, clothes white as light. Moses and Elijah came and talked with Him.
• Mark 9:3,4 - clothes radiant, intensely white. Elijah and Moses talked with Him.
• Luke 9:29-31 - face altered, clothing dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and “spoke of His departure”.

Was the Kingdom revealed on earth? Was the plan in motion?

• Luke 9:34-35 “...As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!...”

• Matthew 17:7-9 “...But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead...”

• Mark 9:9-10 “...And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean...”

Why do some see and hear what others do not see or hear?

• Do some people walk more closely with Jesus than others?

Matthew 17:12 “...But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands...”

Mark 9:12-13 “...And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him...”

Why did the disciples ask about Elijah (Mark 9:11)

• Were they connecting what they had just seen with the teachings they had heard from Micah?

• Malachi 4:5-6 “..Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction...”

What did Jesus say about Elijah’s coming?

• “...Elijah has come...”

The disciples realized Jesus was talking about whom?

• Matthew 17:13 “...Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist...”

Hebrews 9:27-28 “...And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him...”

Did Elijah die?

•  2 Kings 2:11 “...And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven...”

Did John the Baptist die?

• Mark 6:27 “...And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison...”