What does it mean that some wouldn't die till they saw the kingdom?

Caller: My question today comes from Matthew 16. In verse 27, it says the Son of Man should come in the glory of His Father with His angels. And then in verse 28 He says that there will be some standing here which shall not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. Now to take this literally means that some who heard Jesus say this are still alive today. I don't believe that's what Jesus was implying by His statement, so I was hoping you could help me understand it a little better.

Pastor Doug: Yes I will. I'll do my best. If you go to Mark chapter 9 it's the same story. I like Mark's version a little better because it gets right to the point. In Mark 9 verse 1, Jesus said, 'Assuredly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste of death till they see the Kingdom of God present with power.' Now the way that's translated from the Greek I understand, He's saying you are going to see a presentation of the Kingdom coming.

Now after that statement is the example of what He's talking about. After 6 days, Jesus took Peter, James and John, He led them up on this high mountain apart by themselves, and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining exceeding white like snow such as no launder on earth could whiten them and Elijah appeared to them with Moses and they were talking to Jesus.

Now follow this: Jesus was glorified. Moses was there, who represents those who died and are resurrected. Elijah was there, representing those who are translated without seeing death. God the Father comes in a cloud and says, 'This is my Beloved Son.' What they had was a miniature microcosm, a picture of the Second Coming. Jesus said I'm going to give you a snapshot, before you die, of my Kingdom coming. And that's what happened on that mountain right after He made that statement.

That experience, it's called the Mount of Transfiguration experience, was the fulfillment of that. Moses represents the Law, Elijah represents the Prophets, and they were both there to endorse Christ in His Ministry, meaning the Word of God was supporting His Ministry.

Caller: Okay.

Pastor Doug: It's a wonderful story. I could launch right into a sermon now. It's one of my favorites stories in the Bible! I'll see if I can resist the temptation.

Caller: Okay well thank you very much.