Matthew 16:25-28
Mat 16:25 (KJB)
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life
for my sake shall find it.
Then Jesus speaks about living the Christian life. First He speaks about those
who will save their life shall lose it. What Jesus has in view here are those
who have given themselves over to living this present life fully without any
thought for the next life. They are basically living for the now and basking in
the world system. Their time on earth is dedicated to themselves rather than to
Christ. Normally, these are the unsaved but unfortunately there are many
Christians who are not involved in any ministry and are just coasting along in
this world. Then Jesus makes a second statement and that is about those who are
losing their life for His sake shall find it. This is the group of Christians
who are working to advance the Kingdom of Christ and concerning themselves with
evangelism. When He talks about losing their life He speaks about those who have
rejected all the time wasters and traps this world has such as watching sports,
TV watching, computer games, chat, social networking, parties, trips, etc. Now
this is not to say that Christians cannot interact with each other or even go
away for a few days but that is the exception and not the rule in their life.
When all their friends are doing some worldly activity, they would be involved
in ministry and that is what the Lord means. Those who are seriously involved in
true ministry are showing they are saved and although they will miss out on much
of what this world has to offer, they will not miss out on anything the next
world has to offer.
Mat 16:26 (KJB)
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?
Jesus then asks two important questions that one must ponder. If a person gains
the whole world and rules it and has free reign to go anywhere and have anything
they want, what profit is it if they lose their own soul? This world is
fleeting. (1 John 2:17 KJV) And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. How does a
person profit if they gain the whole world for a few fleeting years and lose
their soul for eternity? They profit nothing! Then Jesus asks a second cutting
question. What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The word “exchange” in
the Greek carries with it another meaning of “equivalent.” What in this fleeting
world is equivalent to an eternal soul? What is of such temporary value that it
is equal to an eternity in the Lake of Fire? Nothing and unfortunately many will
find out that worldly pursuits were nothing but vanity and a waste of a good
life. (Eccl 1:2 KJV) Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of
vanities; all is vanity.
Mat 16:27 (KJB)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and
then he shall reward every man according to his works.
This is the first time in the book of Matthew that Jesus spoke of His second
coming and what it will be like. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns He is going
to gather all the nations before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment.
(Mat 25:31-32 KJV) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy
angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: {32} And before
him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Then all the unbelievers
will stand before the Lord, including those who were involved in religion and
thought that their works of righteousness would be enough to get them into
Heaven. Well their works are going to be the method whereby they will be
condemned to hell for eternity because no one gets to Heaven by circumventing
the cross with works. The reward for dead works is eternal death. Then there
will be those who stand before the Lord that are saved because He will place the
goats on the left and sheep on the right. There may be a display of the works of
the believer before all the unbelievers who are assembled but these works were
done because of salvation and not for salvation. The righteous saved will go
into glory because they were saved by grace and not works. Therefore this
passage is speaking of the judgment of the unsaved and their works.
Mat 16:28 (KJB)
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.
Then the Lord Jesus makes a statement that some of the disciples who were
standing there with Him will not die until they see Him coming in His kingdom.
This is speaking of the upcoming time on the Mount of Transfiguration because if
you notice the words “see” the Son of Man. Some have interpreted this to be the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the destruction of Jerusalem in
70 A.D. This could not be because the Son of Man was not visible to anyone at
either of these events, only on the Mount of Transfiguration. They will get
a glimpse of the glory of Heaven.