Look! He is coming with the clouds, and all eyes will see him, even those who pierced Him, and will all the tribes of the earth wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord God, who was and is and is coming, the Almighty.” -Revelation 1:7-8
v 7 Clouds are said to represent multitudes (Hebrews 12:1; II Pet. 2:17; Jd. 1:12), or the glory of God (Deut. 4:11; Ex. 13:21-22; 16:10; 24:16; 34:5; 40:34-38 etc.), or just plain old clouds (Gen. 9:13-16; Mat. 24:30; 26:64; I Thes. 4:17). Those who pierced him is a reference to the cross (Psalm 22:16; Zech 12:10; John 19:34-37).
v 8 Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, Omega is the last. This name is reminiscent of the names of God in the OT (see v. 4).
Who is coming?
Jesus left the Disciples in a dramatic and, honestly, really cool way. He “was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight”, like Elijah was taken with chariots of fire (2 Kings 2), but Jesus didn’t need a chariot. Then an angel asked why they were looking up and that Jesus would return as they saw Him go-apparently descending from the clouds just as He ascended. So He’s coming again, not just to a few huddled followers-for everyone.
Every eye will see him.
I was searching for a good song for some of my young students to learn to sing, and they are Adele fans. So I searched for her most popular songs. I found one that had almost one billion views on YouTube. Currently a devastating Hurricane is pounding Texas. The whole world can watch in wonder. We live in an age when every eye on earth can see and every ear hear an extraordinary event. I don’t know any previous time in history when this was true.
Wail Now or Wail Then
Why would people be unhappy to see Jesus? He taught love for all people, forgiveness of enemies, kindness, gentleness, and meekness. He suffered and submitted himself to punishment.
There may be two reasons, and probably many more.
1. People who have denied Jesus or spoken lightly of him would recognize their shame. This would be specially true of people from religions like Judaism and atheism because of the combative way they have denied the teachings of the Bible concerning Jesus (I know I called atheism a religion, I’ll explain that later).
2. Jesus isn’t coming back quite the way he left. I’m not disrespecting the angel’s message-I’m saying much of the book of Revelation describes the horrific nature of Jesus’ return. It won’t be pretty. He left as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He returns as the Judge to destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18). For many people this will be very good reason to wail.
But for many of us it will be different. John says “we know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Paul described to Timothy how he was looking forward to his reward “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day—and not only me, but also to all those who love (long for) his appearing.” So, for us, we groan now as we eagerly await our adoption to sonship (Romans 8), but the world rejoices. When Jesus returns, we will rejoice, but the world will wail.
So, if you’re a bit uncomfortable in this world, a bit out of place, weeping at times, suffering because you are doing right-you are in REALLY good company. You also can hold on to this hope, that your suffering now is temporary, but it works like the refining fire, and your hardship now will result in the fruit of your own refinement and development, but also the fruit of the blessings you will eventually be to others. Beyond this, you can look forward to that day when Jesus returns to judge, knowing while others hear “depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you” you will hear “well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest” (Matthew 25).
Prayer for Today
Father,
This world is ripe for judgment. Nevertheless, be merciful.
And lift up my eyes, Lord. Help me to see as you see-the long vision-the end results of my efforts and suffering and crying-Your approval, Your blessings, Your welcome into eternity with You.
Let me see You Lord, and let me hear Your voice, specially when my soul is crying so loud it’s hard to hear any still, small Voice.
In the name of the One who is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty and good and loving One-Jesus
Amen.
