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IS IT STRANGE?

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 2, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 18.

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IS IT STRANGE?

By A. S. Hutchins

In the last verse of the sixteenth chapter of Matthew, we read the promise of the Saviour to the disciples as follows: “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.” Some men refer us to this text as proof that at some period of time prior to the death of all the immediate followers of Christ, his kingdom was set up on earth. When we point them to the transfiguration of Christ, recorded in the first verses of the following chapter, which set forth the future glorious kingdom in miniature, thereby manifestly fulfilling this promise, we are met with this question, “Is it not strange that Christ should say to the disciples in substance, Some of you will live from six to eight days?”
Now if we understand the subject, the misapprehension lies right here: The Saviour designed to instruct them with reference to the glorious revelation which should be made unto them, not how long they should live. All the godly of every age up to that time had passed away without having seen the kingdom of God. They had not even seen it in miniature, as it was revealed to Peter, James, and John. Myriads of saints have since lived, who have died without the dazzling view of the glory of the future kingdom, as revealed on the mount of transfiguration.
There are those now living who are watching with great interest the evidences of the soon-coming of the King in all his unveiled glory. They are looking forward in joyful anticipation to the time when “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.”
In this kingdom will be found the saints of every age,—those who have been translated to Heaven, and all who shall be found ready for translation at the coming of Christ, with all the truly righteous who have slumbered or may slumber in the dust. The surpassing glory enshrouding the disciples at the transfiguration of Jesus, is a lively and fitting representation of the glory which shall fill the earth in its redeemed state. Of this glory the Lord spake when he said, “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” Num. 14:21.
I see nothing strange in the promise of the Saviour referred to, unless it is that he should promise so great a blessing to mortal men. Respecting this scene on the holy mount, Peter says, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.”
Who of us will be prepared to hear the King say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”? The connection of this text shows that it will be such as work and suffer with the Lord. A. S. HUTCHINS.