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We are sharing with our visitors some thoughts about the recent formal written debate between Olan Hicks, long time minister of the churches of Christ, and Don K. Preston. Numerous Biblical passages were discussed in that exchange, and Hopkins is sharing his thoughts on the debate, and each man’s comments. We hope you enjoy!
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Mat 16:27 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.
Mat 16:28 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.”
These two verse speak of the same event. The word, Assuredly (Gr: AMEN), confirms it. Christ uses it to reinforce and emphasize a previous statement. In Matthew alone, Christ uses this method of teaching 30 times. Therefore, these verses teach that the second coming of our Lord would occur before some standing there died. He comes as the Son of Man in person.
Mar 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mar 9:1 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.”
Again, these two verses speak of the same event. The word, “assuredly,” confirms it. In Mark, Jesus uses this method 15 times to emphasize the preceding comment. Jesus teaches that his second coming in the glory of the Father with the holy angels would occur before some of those standing there would die. This passage is often seen as fulfilled on Pentecost, but that isn’t likely since Luke 21:31 sees the Kingdom of God at hand during the desolation of Jerusalem. They saw the Holy Spirit come with power on Pentecost. The Kingdom of God comes with power at the second coming of Jesus. He comes in the glory of the Father in person.
Luk 9:26 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.
Luk 9:27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Like the last two examples, these two verses go together. The words, “but I tell you truly,” is the method to emphasize the preceding statement. In these verses Jesus comes the second time in his own glory and his Father’s glory and some standing there will not die until they see the Kingdom of God. The last verse is often used as being fulfilled at Pentecost, but I hope you can see the problem. Lk 21:31 still has the Kingdom of God “at hand” during the desolation of Jerusalem.