Were you taught that Matthew 16:27-28 was Fulfilled at the Transfiguration?
(All scripture was copied from the New King James Version.)
Matthew 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.
Matthew 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."
Whoever thinks that scripture was fulfilled at the Transfiguration sure is giving Christ a lot of credit for that prophecy...
He had already turned water into wine, healed the sick, lame and blind and raised the dead and some say that the Transfiguration is the Fulfillment of Matthew 16:27-28.
It had only been about a week since Christ gave the prophecy.
Who was Jesus speaking to?
Answer: HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to HIS DISCIPLES, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
Since Jesus was talking to his disciples in Matthew 16:28 - WHO were SOME of the disciples that DIED during that week before the transfiguration?
Even Judas was STILL ALIVE!
Let's look at what the Bible says about the Transfiguration and see where Jesus and his angels came from and who he rewarded...
Matthew 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
Matthew 17:2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
Matthew 17:3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Matthew 17:4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
Matthew 17:7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."
Matthew 17:8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Matthew 17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."
I see that Peter, James and John were still alive and went with Jesus up on a high mountain but I don't think they are angels and I don't see anything about Jesus rewarding anyone!
Let's read what Mark and Luke wrote about the Transfiguration and see if they wrote anything about the DEATH of a DISCIPLE, ANGELS or REWARDS...
Mark 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."
Mark 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
Mark 9:3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Mark 9:4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Mark 9:8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
Mark 9:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Luke 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.
Luke 9:27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke 9:29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke 9:30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Luke 9:31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
Luke 9:33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"- not knowing what he said.
Luke 9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
Luke 9:35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Luke 9:36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
There's the 3 accounts in the Bible about the Transfiguration and not a word about the death of a disciple, angels or rewards.
The transfiguration was a VISION of Christ Coming in his Kingdom and the New Covenant.
It was NOT the actual event.
Matthew 17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the VISION to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."
If the transfiguration was the actual Coming of Christ in his Kingdom then the Bible contradicts itself.
1) The last supper was after the transfiguration and the Kingdom of God had NOT come yet at the last supper...
Luke 22:17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves;
Luke 22:18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD COMES."
2) Jesus died after the transfiguration and the Kingdom of GOD had not come yet...
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, WHO WAS HIMSELF WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
3) They were still waiting for the kingdom in Acts 14:22 knowing that many tribulations would come first...
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "WE MUST THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
4) The Apostle Peter and the Believers he was writing to were STILL WAITING for the kingdom...
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
2 Peter 1:11 for so AN ENTRANCE WILL BE SUPPLIED TO YOU ABUNDANTLY INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter was one of the last books written in the new testament and was probably written AFTER the Book of Revelation.
You can't have the Bible contradict itself or the Bible is not the Word of GOD!
Matthew 16:27 refers to the 2nd Coming of Christ and the Judgment and Matthew 16:28 gives the timeframe for the fulfillment.
People who say that Matthew 16:27 & 28 refer to the transfiguration have Christ receiving the kingdom before he has even died on the cross!
The prophet Daniel said that the Son of Man would be glorified and receive the kingdom after he ascended to heaven...
Daniel 7:13 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
Daniel 7:14 THEN 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 the one Which shall not be destroyed.
Notice how the words "KINGDOM" and "GLORY" are used to describe the same event in the 2 Parallel Passages below...
Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
Matthew 20:21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, IN YOUR KINGDOM."
Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
Mark 10:36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Mark 10:37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, IN YOUR GLORY."
The Apostle Peter was still waiting for Christ's Glory to be Revealed when he wrote 1 Peter in the A. D. 60's...
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
1 Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
The Kingdom did not come until Christ's 2nd Coming which was also the time of the Resurrection and Judgment of the Living and the Dead...
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, WHO WILL JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM:
The prophet Daniel revealed WHEN the Tribulation, Resurrection and Judgment would be Fulfilled...
Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "HOW LONG SHALL THE FULFILLMENT OF THESE WONDERS BE?"
Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that IT SHALL BE FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME; AND WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.
What were the wonders mentioned in Daniel 12:6?
Answer: The Tribulation, Resurrection and the Judgment
Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION, EVEN TO THAT TIME. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
Daniel 12:2 AND MANY OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING CONTEMPT.
What was the POWER of the HOLY PEOPLE mentioned in Daniel 12:7?
Was it not the Covenant they had with GOD, the Mosaic Covenant?
How was that POWER COMPLETELY SHATTERED?
Answer: It was SHATTERED when the Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed in A. D. 70.
The words of Jesus MATCH Daniel's Prophecy PERFECTLY!...
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
Luke 21:5 Then, AS SOME SPOKE OF THE TEMPLE, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,
Luke 21:6 "These things which you see - THE DAYS WILL COME IN WHICH NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT UPON ANOTHER THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN."
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
Luke 21:20 "But WHEN YOU SEE Jerusalem surrounded by armies, THEN KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR.
Luke 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING & THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL PROPHECY
Luke 21:22 For THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, that ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.
THE 2ND COMING
Luke 21:27 Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY.
THE TIMEFRAME
Luke 21:32 Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THINGS TAKE PLACE.
Instead of making poor excuses for Jesus because they don't believe Jesus did what he said that he was going to do when he said that he was going to do it, why don't Futurists just BELIEVE JESUS and give up their False Doctrines?
...Indeed, let GOD be true but every man a LIAR. As it is written: "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND MAY OVERCOME WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." - Romans 3:4