We begin this study by looking at what the angels said about the manner of Jesus' return — His next coming, recorded in Acts 1:9-11.
“And when He [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, ‘Ye Men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
A cloud received Jesus up and out of the disciples' sight. And the angels said that He would come in like manner which is to say that He would come just like they saw Him leave. This would seem to mean that He will come in a cloud or clouds, because He left in a cloud. Is this a reasonable conclusion? Yes, but there is far more evidence than this one text and as we are counseled, one text does not stand alone in determining a matter of doctrine. Matthew 24:29 & 30 say,
“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 heaven, and the power of heaven will be shaken." 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Matthew 26:63 & 64 confirm this when the high priest tore His cloths and said,
“I adjure thee by the name of the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, 'Thou hast said: nevertheless, I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.'”
Mark 13:26 & 14:62 attest to this same event, within the same context and Psalms 104:1 & 3 tell us,
“...O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:”
In Revelation 1:7 & 8 we discover far more telling statements than any considered thus far, convincing though they may have been. Here the previous scriptures, are confirmed and then added to in such a way that a whole new aspect of His soon return is opened to us, when it is declared:
“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." 8 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending,' saith the Lord, 'Which is and which was and which is to come, the Almighty.'”
And in Psalm 104:3 we discover this glorious statement (speaking of Christ):
“Text Here”
The fact that Jesus is coming again is established from His own lips when He says, (paraphrased) "I am He who is, who was, and who is to come." Here, Jesus is most certainly speaking of His Second Coming. He has already come in human flesh, that fact is irrefutable; recorded history proves it. So when He says He is to come, it is given as an assurance of the truth He declared in John 14:1-3 where we find this wonderful promise:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
As is promised in Revelation 1:7, every eye shall see Him, and this includes them that pierced Him. Whether this phrase, “they that pierced Him” means those who took part in the crucifixion or all of mankind as being guilty of piercing His heart because of sin, is a point of debate. But, it cannot be doubted that whoever is included here, will see Him when He comes again. The statement that “every eye shall see Him” (when He comes again in the clouds) declares the fact that His coming will not be secret. And this would seem to speak against the possibility of a “secret rapture.” Notice that He is coming to receive His people unto himself that where He is they may be also. It does not say that where we are He may be also.
It might also be pointed out (when considering the statement "they that pierced Him") that Jesus, Himself said that the high priest in Matthew 26:64 would also see Him coming "in the clouds." The majority of the priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Saducees will not be happy to see Jesus come again in power and great glory. There will be many who will not be happy to see Christ return. Many will cry out for the rocks and mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the face of God. (Revelation 6:16)
In John chapter 14, we are told that Christ said He was going to prepare a place for His people. He is also preparing a people to inhabit that place. Only His people – the ones who have allowed Him to prepare them will be going to the place that He is preparing.
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