H2Andy:
Snow, on a related topic.... sort of...
why did Jesus say he'd be back before some of those listening would die?
and yet, he hasn't in 2000 years?
that's always puzzled me
I don't know. There are folks here who know a whole lot more about what the Word means than I do.... I'm trying to figure it out, but I probably don't "get it" a whole lot more than I do "get it."
So here's my take, and hopefully someone who know better than I do will correct me....
First, here it is in the context in which it was said:
"Mat 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.
25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it.
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?
27 For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward each one according to his works.
28 Truly I say to you, There are some standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. "
I *think* what Jesus was saying was that once He returns, ALL will be judged according to his works. This judgement means rewards for good works as well as paying the consequence of "eternal death" for sin. I think what Jesus is talking about here is that eternal death (denial of eternal life with Him in "Heaven") of a person's
soul, not the physical death of the
body. I think He's saying that there were those standing there who will never accept that Jesus was paying that death penalty when He was crucified, so that anyone (then or now or in the future) who accepts the gift of forgiveness would not have to suffer the consequence of the sin that each and every one of us commits.
Does that answer your question?
