Christ is Coming with the Clouds
12/10 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 10; Revelation 1; Zephaniah 2; Luke 24
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
12/10 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 10; Revelation 1; Zephaniah 2; Luke 24
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
GLORY
This statement by the beloved apostle has layers of depth that will thrill the saint in Christ for all eternity. Today, we will on scratch the surface of one aspect of this momentous truth, that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming with the clouds. First, it was this reference that sent the high priest into a tizzy, and by this truth, the Lord Jesus was condemned by sinners who needed Christ’s saving grace:
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64
In answer to whether He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Jeus referenced Daniel 7:13.
When Jesus ascended into heaven and disappeared in a cloud, it was this expression the angels used to comfort and encourage the misunderstanding of the Lord’s disciples:
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
What do these things me to you and me? For John, in revealing Jesus Christ to us in this last book of the Bible, states that Jesus is coming with the clouds. For Christ’s coming in the clouds, as well as every eye seeing Christ at His return, the verb tense is called “futuristic present middle indicative” by the Greek scholars. It means that while the event is future, it can happen at any time, and therefore, should be expressed in the present form. Mr. Vincent stated that the verb tense…
“…denotes the physical act, but emphasizes the mental discernment accompanying it…” M. R. Vincent, Word Studies, 1886
In other words, for those who have rejected Christ and have opposed God’s grace and glory, Christ comes in clouds of thick darkness, it is frightening to them, and He comes in judgment for them, just as this was foreshadowed when Jesus appeared on Mount Sinai in the giving of the Law (Ex 19:16; 20:18; Ps 18:11-14; Heb 12:18-19; et al).
We who believe should have an expectation of Christ’s return as imminent. He comes in clouds for us because when He comes, and even before that, by the clouds, we perceive Christ’s wonder (Acts 1:11; see also John 3:13) and glory:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2
And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14
Hallelujah! What a Savior!