What does 'regeneration' mean in Jesus' statement?
Regeneration refers to the future restoration of the earth to Eden-like conditions, when it is made like it was before. It is accomplished when the earth is brought back and made like the Garden of Eden, corresponding to the thousand-year period when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory.
Les explains that in Jesus' statement, 'regeneration' does not refer to salvation, which was already established when Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ. Instead, it means the future time when the earth is brought back and made like it was in the Garden of Eden—when you make it like it was before. This regeneration is accomplished during the same thousand-year period, and the Son of Man will sit on the throne of His glory. Peter, like Abraham, was asking for additional assurance about what they would have.
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
More Questions
In Matthew 19:28, should 'in the regeneration' be read as describing when the disciples followed Jesus or as referring to the future kingdom?
The comma after 'followed Me' in Matthew 19:28 shows that the disciples followed Jesus during the past three years, while 'in the regeneration' belongs to the future kingdom, not to the time of their following.