Saturday, September 23, 2006

Eschatology 101 (Part 11)

We have now finished looking at the things which must happen before Jesus returns. Now it is time to turn our attention to what will happen when he returns.

Throughout scripture there is a consistent pattern about how Jesus will return. The pattern can be summarized as:

1) Clouds 2) Angels 3) Trumpets 4) The gathering.

In this first study we shall look at the clouds!!!

If you remember when Jesus ascended in to Heaven a cloud obscured him as he went: "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). However the KJV version puts it like this: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Literally it means "took under him." He seemed to be supported by the cloud. Jesus ascended on the clouds and he will return the same way.

Mark 13:26 says "And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory."And in Revelation 1:7 we read, "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen." (Also read Matthew 26:64 and Mark 14:62).

Here we see another facet of his return, "every eye will see him." His return will not be in secret, it won't be like his first coming, a small child born in simple surroundings. On His return He will come in power and glory, riding on the clouds and every eye will see. How is that possible, I don't know. But all things are possible with God.

Remember, watch and pray. In the next study we shall look at the role of the angels and the trumpets.

Blessings,

Gary