Grace and peace, dear friends,
Today, let us take a look at Jesus’ promise to the disciples concerning the kingdom:
And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God having come in power.”
— Mark 9:1
Jesus promised that some of His disciples would not die until they saw the kingdom of God coming in power. This must have raised many questions among them. On one hand, it could have been a relief, since they were expecting the Messiah to establish God’s kingdom. On the other hand, they may not have fully understood what Jesus meant, because His promise did not align with their expectations.
Critics of the Bible often point to this verse, claiming that Jesus’ words failed because the disciples did not live until His second coming. But such criticism arises from reading the passage out of context and with preconceived assumptions. When we approach the Scriptures with an agenda to disprove them, we miss their true meaning and the redemptive message God offers.
This is the same mistake many false teachers make today. They twist Scripture out of context or approach it without reverence, forgetting that the Holy Spirit inspired it. Yet, history shows that God’s Word has always proven itself true.
The resolution to this question comes in the very next verse:
And six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;
— Mark 9:2
Here we see what Jesus meant. Six days later, Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration of Christ. They saw the kingdom of God revealed in power.
and His garments were shining intensely white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
— Mark 9:3
The word transfigured comes from the Greek metamorphoō, from which we get the English word metamorphosis. It describes a complete and glorious transformation. Paul used the same word when writing about the sanctification of believers:
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
Just as Christ was transfigured, believers are being progressively transformed by the Holy Spirit into His likeness.
On the mountain, something even more remarkable happened:
And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
— Mark 9:4
Elijah (representing the prophets) and Moses (representing the law) appeared with Jesus. For any devout Jew, this would have been an incredible sight. No wonder Peter responded:
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three booths, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
— Mark 9:5
The disciples, overwhelmed with fear, placed Jesus on equal standing with Moses and Elijah. But God corrected this misunderstanding:
Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”
— Mark 9:7
The cloud symbolized God’s presence, just as in the Old Testament:
And Yahweh was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to guide them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might go by day and by night.
— Exodus 13:21
Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.”
— Exodus 19:9
And the glory of Yahweh dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud.
— Exodus 24:16
Now it happened that when the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the house of Yahweh, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.
— 1 Kings 8:10-11
Peter, James, and John would have immediately recognized that this cloud signified God’s presence. And when God spoke, He exalted Jesus above the prophets and the law.
This was not the first time God declared His approval of His Son:
And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
— Mark 1:10-11
Peter later confirmed this testimony in his epistle:
For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—
— 2 Peter 1:17
The message is clear: God has spoken to us through His Son, who has greater authority than the prophets or the law.
God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds,
— Hebrews 1:1-2
This passage establishes the authority of Jesus Christ. Access to God is no longer through priests or prophets, but through the Son of God Himself.
Jesus confirmed this truth:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.
— John 14:6
Peter also proclaimed it boldly:
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
— Acts 4:12
Therefore, no pope, priest, prophet, or self-proclaimed apostle can act as the gatekeeper to God. The only mediator between God and man is Jesus Christ.
And all at once when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.— Mark 9:8
If you have placed your faith in Him, you already have direct access to the Father through His Son. Your prayers do not need to pass through any spiritual leader—they go directly to God through Christ.
If you have not yet repented of your sins and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you do not yet enjoy this access. But if you turn to Him in faith, He is faithful to forgive and bring you into communion with God.
Believer, take comfort in this truth: Jesus Christ is your High Priest, interceding for you at the right hand of the Father. You have a direct audience with God through Him.
Now to Him who is able to bring you directly to God in perfect communion and unity—to Him be the glory forever. Amen.
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