In Mark 9:1 Jesus says:
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 after it has come with power. (NASB, emphasis mine).
What is the “power” that Jesus is referring to? Can one assume that the Kingdom of God was, to some extent, already present on earth but that there would be an added power after Jesus’s resurrection that wasn’t there before?
"Power". In Acts 2:2 the power is represented by "a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind".
This power further showed itself as something visible v3, "there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire".
This power broke across usual speech patterns v3, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues".
Here the Kingdom of God cuts across other kingdoms as Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesoptamia, Judea and all the other places verses 9-11 mention, "hear...the wonderful works of God".
These events herald the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell and infill. Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:18-21 show His work in the church.
Previously in the Old Testament: Exodus 31:3 Bezalel was filled with wisdom of the Holy Spirit, not the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 59:21 The Spirit was upon the prophet, but in 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you".
The power being spoken of is the visible, audible and physical evidence of the Spirit of Yah dwelling in the body of the believer. The power gives the believer the ability to accomplish supernatural things uncommon to mortal man.
It could show up in Stephen's discourse in Acts Chapters 6:8-10-"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake."
It's central in the operation of the kingdom of Yahweh-1st Corinthians 4:20 says "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
It also doesn't seem to be apart from the Holy Spirit in the NT context. Acts 1:8 puts it plainly: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Quite frankly, I believe it's the kingdom being spoken of in Matthew 24:14 that must, is and will continue to be preached which would usher in "the end"... think about it. The indwelling of the Spirit and associated power saved 3,000 people in one day as recorded in Acts- 2:41. Satan does not want believers to understand this power; evidenced by Paul having to escape Thessaloniki during the cover of night for fear of the synagogue of the Jews-Acts 17:10.
I know it is a kingdom already present on earth which is evidenced by the Ruach ha Kodesh indwelling some believers.
NKJV Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
The kingdom of God exists in the spiritual realm.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
One can see the kingdom of God as soon as he is born again.
Berean Study Bible Mark 9:1
Then Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.”
arrive
ἐληλυθυῖαν (elēlythuian)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's Greek 2064: To come, go.
One day in the future, the kingdom of God will be completed or perfected with power.
What is the “power” in the kingdom of God?
Jesu promises some of his apostles,that they would not taste death until they see the kingdom.
In Mark 9:1 Jesus says:
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 after it has come with power. (NASB).
This promise was fulfilled "six days later" (or “eight” according to Luke, who apparently includes the day of the promise and that of the fulfillment) when Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus on a " high mountain"
The Transfiguration
Mark 9:2 (NASB)
2 Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and [a]James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;
Luke 9:28-36 (NASB)
The Transfiguration
28 Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three [d]tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
