Two Potentially Confusing Statements From Christ's Earthly Ministry Explained

Matthew 16:28 (KJV) 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 statement “see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” is a reference to the transfiguration of Christ which occurred on a high mountain some days later (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and which was witnessed by Peter, James and John (“some standing here”).

At the transfiguration, Peter, James and John “see” how Christ will be when he returns. We know this because scripture tells us that the transfiguration is a preview of Christ’s second coming:

2 Peter 1:16-18 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Here, Peter explicitly ties the transfiguration to the the second coming of Christ (“the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…eyewitnesses of his majesty…when we were with him in the holy mount”).

Matthew 24:34 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Christ had talked of global persecution (24:9), the abomination of desolation (24:15), cosmic signs (24:29) and the visible return of Christ (24:30).

Matthew 24:34 is confirmation that all the signs will be fulfilled for the generation (“this generation”) going through the time of tribulation.