Behold, He is coming!
April 15th, 2010 by Kristi Stephens
Today we’re going to look at Revelation 1:4-8. There is so much to soak in in this section, so what I want to do is to look at it together and make some observations.
The following is an example of a “mechanical outline.” This is a study method I like to utilize with passages like this that have a lot of phrases and descriptions that build upon one another – it’s kinda like a larger version of diagramming sentences back in English class. Some of you have glazed over. ;) Hang with me here – it really is helpful.
After I broke this passage into a mechanical outline, I then used highlighting to show references to people (pink), God the Father (yellow), God the Holy Spirit (green), and Jesus (blue).
With those helps in place, let’s make a few observations.
- This book was originally sent to seven actual churches in Asia. We will be well acquainted with them by the end of chapter 3!
- Attributes of God that are emphasized: eternal, almighty, sovereign, ruler of all, worthy of all glory.
- Jesus will be seen by “every eye, even those who pierced Him” and the “tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.”
Verse 7 reminds me of the question that had prompted this series:
How can we be confident that Jesus is returning?
Let’s look at verse 7 more closely.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.”
When discussing this verse, John MacArthur points out in the first volume of his Revelation commentary,
The present tense of erchomai (is coming) suggests that Christ is already on the way, and thus that His coming is certain… Despite the scoffers who deny the Second Coming (2 Peter 3:3-4), the Bible repeatedly affirms that Jesus will return. That truth appears in more than five hundred verses throughout the Bible. It has been estimated that one out of every twenty-five verses in the New Testament refers to the Second Coming. (pg. 28)
HE WILL RETURN.
And the nations will mourn. Zechariah 12:10 indicates that Israel (‘those who pierced Him’) will be mourning out of genuine repentance.
I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.
Not only will Israel see Him and mourn, but the ‘tribes of the earth’ will, as well. Unfortunately, the mourning exhibited by the majority of the gentile world will not be that of repentance, but that of fear and despair.
The King of kings will return. Those who fear Him and willingly bow the knee will rejoice. Those who reject Him will mourn – He is not coming as a suffering lamb this time. He is coming to reign.
Behold, He is coming!
Are you ready?
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Art used (with permission) by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.
- 14 Comments »
- Posted in Revelation
April 15th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Been out of the loop awhile . . . long story . . . family needing more of my time. YOU HAVE DRAWN me back with this post. AWESOME!
I have been longing for Christ’s return and, as of late, smelling HIS sweet fragrance! Oh yes, ladies, it is true, HE IS RETURNING. I cannot shake the deep feeling that He will not tarry for much longer. The Lord said to be looking for HIM each day, not just seeking Him but watching for the signs of the end of the age & then look toward heaven. I am praying and preparing my family for HIS coming. I pray that all of us will return together! Thanks for the reminder Kristi! Looking forward to your next post.
April 15th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Heather, welcome back!! And thank you so much for your encouragement – my heart has been beating with the same urgency lately. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
April 15th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I sense that the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of believers worldwide. There is talk everywhere about “something” that is about to happen. People can’t put their finger on it, but sense that something big is around the corner.
Just thinking about our Lord’s return gives me an urgency to continue to reach souls for the Kingdom. We must keep planting seeds as the time is very short. I am also praying and preparing my family as best as I can for HIS return.
Keep looking up for our redemption draweth nigh!
April 15th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Cathy – I’ve been thinking that same thing. Many of the believers I most respect seem to all have a sense of urgency that our time may be very short. May we redeem the time and make each day count!
April 15th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Oh! Goodness! You are speaking my language. My absolute favorite is that “Jesus will be seen by ‘every eye, even those who pierced Him’ and the ‘tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.’”
I like to meditate on Jesus’ second coming. I image him flying on a white pegasus down from a splitting sky like a rock star with “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” written on his thigh.
I envision the entire world flattening and drawing together in an instant. I can see all the peoples of the earth see my Jesus supernaturally entering our atmosphere, and they are gawking. The smile on my face is HUGE, and I can’t help but say, “See! That’s my Jesus. Isn’t He AWESOME!” The shame of it, though, is that many had no idea who they’ve ignored, and it is too late.
I’m so glad about one thing: I can idolize Jesus because He is God. It makes for fun imagining time!
April 15th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I’ve spent most of my life afraid of the second coming but since I’ve attended a new church since last summer the fear has disappeared. I look forward to His coming and encourage my children to look forward to it too…so they are not afraid as I once was.
There IS something happening, our church is having 3 separate sermon series leading up to teaching us how to evangelize and share Jesus with others.
Your series is so timely, of course, because God is at work through you. Thank you!
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Free High School Curriculum Sites =-.
April 15th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
The thought that He is already in the process of coming is such an encouragement to me today. I am so glad to have the reminder … my shoulders feel a little lighter already!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Quiet Time =-.
April 15th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Julie, I LOVE that thought, too – it is certain! The Rescuer is on the way! :)
April 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Linda – that is wonderful that your perspective has changed! I think that many believers fear His return, but if we really know Him, fear Him, and walk with Him we should love His appearing!
Thanks for your encouragement – much appreciated.
April 15th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
What a great post Kristi and such a great reminder of who our Lord is and that He is RETURNING! I can say I’ve also sense for some time the urgency you all have been speaking about and reading about in various places. Perhaps that’s why the Lord has compelled me to write and share my past experiences with people? I don’t know but I do know that the desire of my heart is to draw closer and press into my Lord. I believe He is calling His church to do the same, even as we see so much going on in the world around us. Have you read Matthew 24 or Mark 13 with this yet? Gives me the chills.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Finding the Quiet Place =-.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Love the color-coded mechanical layout!
April 20th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
[...] Yesterday we took at look at Revelation 1:4-8 and began to discuss the certainty of His coming – He is already on the way! Today we’re going to continue that discussion by taking a closer look at verses 7 and 8. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. [...]
January 13th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
I also love the color-coded mechanical diagram! I love breaking down verses, and you exemplified that well.
Great post with great truths here. I love these emphasized characteristics of God: “eternal, almighty, sovereign, ruler of all, worthy of all glory.” They all fill me with gratitude and awe. Thank you.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Oh, so true Caroline! I love all the descriptions of God in Revelation – as your last post title reads, He is “awesome in the truest sense!” :)