See the Kingdom

Luke 9:27 “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God.”
 
OUR prior lesson was about praying “your kingdom come.” With this verse, we might understand Jesus was promising its quick coming to the Jews of his generation. But we know the world still awaits the fullness of the “Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
   Jesus’ words here have challenged many since Jesus first spoke them. Some say Jesus was confused about when the Kingdom would come. Some say Jesus didn’t know because Jesus sometimes displayed his humanity with a limited knowledge of events. Remember, he ministered in the Spirit’s power. Perhaps the Spirit did not reveal this future to Jesus. But the Son of God had spoken. He spoke only what the Father gave him to say. The only place to begin to understand this, then, is to know Scripture is without error, inspired by God to reveal God.
   First, let’s know “Kingdom of God” has several definitions. John the Baptist promised the Jews in Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is near.” Jesus then echoed those words as he began his ministry. As “kingdom” relates to a king’s rule, John and Jesus told the Jews to expect a power change to spiritually rule the Jews. 
   Then Jesus defined the new power as a kingdom much different than the Jews anticipated: Luke 11:20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual territory ruled with God’s power to redeem mankind from Satan’s grasp. Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom had arrived with Jesus’ preaching and the Spirit’s power. When Jesus taught that some “will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God.” he was promising much more of God’s salvation power was about to be unleashed over the world. Our next reading refers to remarkable Kingdom work the disciples did. Also, three disciples would witness Kingdom glory in Jesus’ Transfiguration. Many more witnessed the Kingdom come in glorious power through Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension. Even more people heard and saw God’s Kingdom rule come to earth through the Spirit’s anointing on the Day of Pentecost to begin the church. The church then became empowered to be the King’s governing body on earth.
          Through 2,000 years the Kingdom of God has spread throughout the earth. Be assured that one day the Kingdom of God will be God’s full government over the new Heaven and new earth. Jesus, the Son of God, knew the time for that to happen is in the Father’s hands. He was not confused about the Kingdom come, but he spoke to encourage and give hope to a small group of his disciples that God’s rule would direct the world to great change, even through many trials. His assurance is still for his disciples today.