“I tell you the truth: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:27 HCSB
How could anyone see the kingdom of God?
“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come, He answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘Look here! ’ or ‘There! ’ For you see, the kingdom of God is among you.”
Luke 17:20-21 HCSB
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17 HCSB
Peter experienced the Kingdom of God around the campfire on the beach while eating breakfast.
“When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus. “Men,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you? ” “No,” they answered. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.
“Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You? ” because they knew it was the Lord.
When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me? ” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.”
John 21:4-6, 12, 15-17 HCSB
Certainly, the 11 plus Matthias and everyone else in the upper room got to see the Kingdom of God come down as the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
“When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.”
Acts 2:1-4 HCSB
This also meant that Judas tasted death before he saw the Kingdom of God.
And there is John at a ripe age was visited by Jesus to be revealed what the Kingdom of God will look like in the letter we call the book of Revelation.
“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
Revelation 1:9-11 HCSB
At this point, all of the 11 have died a martyr’s death, but John who would have died of age.
Now we might be facing the same scenario some of our generation may in-fact not taste death until we come into the Kingdom of God.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 HCSB
I don’t put a lot of stock of what is happening here in America in God’s time table, but what is happening around the world and especially in Israel. A lot of the prophesies that predict His coming are coming true.
The time is ready. Are you watching for the Kingdom of God, or are you busy with your own kingdom?
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news! ”
Mark 1:15 HCSB
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