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I am not sure if what Peter, James and John saw is valid as it speaks about his “departure,” which would predates his return.

In Mark 14:61-62, Jesus declares that the high priest who delivered him over to the Romans for execution will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.

Then in John 21:22-23, Jesus says that the Apostle John will remain alive until His return.

This is a fascinating Study. I highly suggest a study on “New Heavens and New Earth” God promised to never destroy the Earth and all on it after the Flood. Reason suggests that if God cannot lie; then the destruction of the Earth and Heaven, MUST refer to something different.

It is paradox’s like these that must be solved before one can even come close to seeing the Scriptures for what they really are. The Holy Bible is the most amazing book ever printed. It’s not a hand book on how to live your life, though many will use for that and be happy. It is not history book and should not be taken literally 100% To do so (and many do) is to gloss over to real meaning (try a study on the number 1000) The Holy Scriptures were written by a number of different authors, each with a slightly different view and is riddled with apparent contradictions.

Is it a book of mysteries, a book of puzzles; perhaps. I think it as a book of tapestry with multiple stories of different colored threads. It’s up to the read to weave these threads into an amazing Tapestry of Truth.

God is Love, God is Truth and God is Spirit; this must be the basis for all understanding.

I am not sure if what Peter, James and John saw is valid as it speaks about his “departure,” which would predates his return.

I think it is obvious what Jesus meant since the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration happened a little over a week after Jesus said it.

In Mark 14:61-62, Jesus declares that the high priest who delivered him over to the Romans for execution will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.

Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

But He didn't say they would see this shortly, just that they WOULD see Him one day. And we know that one day at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11). We also are told:

The Return of the Son of Man

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matt. 24:29-31).

Then in John 21:22-23, Jesus says that the Apostle John will remain alive until His return.

Actually, no, Jesus didn't say that. What He said was:

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”

As for your other points, we ought to believe what God tells us and not try to second guess or accuse Him of contradicting Himself. We can trust in the authority of God's word because it IS His word and "heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of our God will never pass away". If He says he will create a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and which will no longer have any taint of sin, then I believe Him. The Apostle Peter writes that:

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. (II Peter 3:10-12)