Jesus promises us that since he is the Son of Man, he will return in glory (Mark 8:38). Today, we do not experience the perfect life that God’s King was meant to bring. In many of the Old Testament promises, the time of the Messiah was seen as a time of joy, a time of peace, a time plenty, a time of glory. That’s what Peter expected, which is why he was so confused when he heard that Jesus must suffer and die.
That promised time of perfection will be a reality when Jesus returns. Then we will live in the new heavens and the new earth, enjoying God’s blessing and rule (Revelation 21:1 – 22:21). In a sense, all the miracles that Jesus did on earth—the healing of sickness and disease—are going to be expanded on a grand scale so that what was seen locally and only by a few, will be done for everyone who trusts in Jesus. He is going to make life perfect when he comes in glory.
When Jesus returns, all the suffering and hardships faced by those who followed him will be over. He will confess the names of his people in the presence of his Father and gather them into glory (Mark 13:26–27).
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.