16:24 → “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up
his cross, and follow me.”
Literally interpreting the Bible is the best approach for accurate study.
Otherwise, interpretation becomes haphazard and random.
Therefore, the words of Jesus should be taken literally unless the text gives reason to do so otherwise.
We know that many believing Jews and later Christians lost their lives for Jesus’s sake.
Stephen, James, and many others after the stoning of Stephen.
“take up his cross” → Did Jesus reveal how he would die? [This is the first verse to mention a cross.]
This is still good wisdom for us today. → We should be willing to prioritize glorifying God!
16:25 → “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Once again, there is no reason to not take the words of Jesus literally.
While this can apply to the persecutions to come in the 1st and 2nd century…
Ultimately, this is speaking of the Tribulation. → “Enter through the narrow gate…”
Revelation 20:4 → “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus”
One of the great deceptions that Satan has accomplished is the confusion of end times doctrine.
Many people are convinced that we are already living in the Tribulation. [If so, it's not that bad!]
The truth is, the Tribulation will be so much worse than they realize. [The church must teach it!]
16:26 → “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?”
The God-fearing man should fear no one on this earth. [That includes Satan.]
We should be wise on the earth and be mindful of the devil’s craftiness. [But he is not in charge!]
God is the one who possesses our souls.
Sadly, many people have no actual convictions about morality or truth.
They will say and do whatever it takes to get what they want.
Remember when Jesus said it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle?
16:27 → “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward
every man according to his works.”
“the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father” → The Second Coming to establish the kingdom.
A good Bible student will always specify which Second Coming of Christ.
There is truly only one Second Coming in which Christ returns to earth.
Believers “meet him in the air” upon the rapture.
“then he shall reward every man according to his works” → Rewarding those who enter the kingdom.
There is a divide among Christians on this matter. → Will we stand before God?
Romans 14:12, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, 2 Cor. 5:10 → Sometimes called the “Bema Seat”
This is not a topic in which to be dogmatic. → Ultimately, we have received eternal life.
My Position: This is referring to those under the Kingdom offer.
However, it's okay to disagree.
16:28 → “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son
of man coming in his kingdom.”
The doctrine of the kingdom is one of the most essential and misunderstood teachings in scripture.
It is likely efforts by Satan to cause confusion among believers. [Doctrine of Rev. hangs on it!]
Many believe that this verse supports a “spiritual, kingdom now” position.
However, the verses that follow explain what Jesus meant!
17:1 → “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high
mountain apart,”
“After six days” → Mat, Mark, and Luke are all consistent in this timeline.
“Peter, James, and John” → Why these three?
Throughout the Gospels and Acts, these three were the leaders of the disciples.
They also accompanied him in the Garden. [They were perhaps Jesus’s closest companions.]
“A high mountain” → Could be Mount Hermon (near Caesarea Philippi) or Mount Tabor (eat of Nazareth)
The location is ultimately unknown.
17:2 → “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the
light. “
“Transfigured” → (meta mor fah oe) change, transform
“his face did shine as the sun” → Similar to Moses when he came down from Sinai
“his raiment was white as the light” → Revelation 21:22-25 [God and Christ will provide the light.]
Christ - “I am the light of the world” → He was being serious!
They witnessed Jesus in his glorified state, not in his humbled appearance.
17:3 → “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
“Moses and Elias” → Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses → The first leader of Israel who led them out of captivity. (A pre-Messianic figure.)
The one who received the Law Covenant from God. (The Mosaic Law, the Torah author.)
Elijah → Many similar miracles that Jesus did. (Also a pre-Messanic figure.)
Malachi 4:5 → The promise that Elijah would come. [Would mark the coming kingdom.]
How did they know it was Moses and Elijah? Did Jesus tell them? (Maybe it was obvious.)
17:4 → “Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
“Tabernacles” → (skay nay) tent; Hebrew = (mish kawn)
Rev. 21:1-3, 22:1-5 → The LORD will one day tabernacle with man. (And those resurrected.)
17:5 → “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud,
which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Another part of the coming kingdom. → Christ will be publicly proclaimed the Son of God!
Phil. 2:8-11
