Bible Question: "What did Jesus mean in Matthew 16:28 when He said 'There be some standing here who shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom'? Did Jesus mean this literally? If so, then those people must still be living today."

Bible Answer: There are places where Jesus spoke figuratively, but I believe this is an example of where He spoke literally. And you can see the literal fulfillment of this prophecy or prediction by Jesus in the very next verses which follow His statement, Matt. 17:1-3.

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."

When Jesus spoke Matt. 16:28, Peter, James and John, three of his original 12 disciples, were no doubt standing there, as they went with Jesus wherever He went. And those three were the privileged ones chosen by Jesus immediately after those words to climb a high mountain with Him and see Him transfigured as the Son of God.

While Jesus was here, except for this one occasion, His God nature was hidden under the humble robes of a carpenter, who kept company with humble fishermen and tax collectors. Peter, James and John were all fishermen before Jesus said, "Follow Me," and Matthew, author of this Gospel, was a hated tax collector for the Romans until Jesus called Him. Like Peter, James and John, he forsook his well-paid job, left his office behind and followed Jesus.

But here on this one sole occasion, Jesus' earthly robes are transformed and Peter, James and John get a glimpse of the robes of glory that Jesus laid aside when He left heaven to come down here.

"Out of the ivory palaces, into a world of woe," goes the old Gospel song, which is sung so beautifully by George Beverly Shea.

So Peter, James and John not only did not taste of death before they saw Jesus in His glory, they were only six days older than when Jesus made the statement that they saw His prophecy come to pass.

And they were also privileged to see Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest Old Testament prophets, appearing with Jesus on the mountain. Moses and Elijah passed off the earthly scene many centuries before this event, but here they are, both alive and well.

And so are our loved ones who died in Christ: they are not dead at all, merely living in glory waiting for their return with Jesus.

What a glorious mountain-top experience for Peter, James and John. Peter was so impressed he said in Matt. 17:4, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

But as much as we would all love to live our whole life with mountain-top experiences, that is not God's will for us of for them.

"While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Matt. 17:5.

As God instructed Peter, James and John, don't try to live on the mountain top, but listen to Jesus and go where He tells you to go.

And if you continue reading, you find Jesus led the disciples down off the mountain and down into the demon-infested valley.

Matt. 17:14-21 tells us the story of the man with a demon-possessed son who had epilepsy and often fell into fire or water.

Jesus' disciples were unable to cast out the demon, but Jesus did, and then explained their failure was "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you," Jesus said in Matt. 17:20.

Mountain-top experiences are wonderful, and we should be filled with joy anytime the Lord allows us to get a glimpse of His glory. But it is down in the demon-infested valley where our faith is put to the test. We learn about Jesus on the mountain, but we use our faith in Him for the glory of His Kingdom down in the demon-filled valley.

Submit Bible questions by email to writeme@johnwmyers.com

(John Myers has been a Christian lay speaker, Sunday School adult teacher and newspaper Bible study columnist for more than 20 years.)