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.” Revelation 1:7

He Might Come Tomorrow

At the height of the World War in Germany, a protestant pastor was imprisoned for taking a stand against Hitler. The charges against him suggested that he would end up living or dying in the prison cells. Yet he still continued to rally the Christians to stand against the Nazi tyranny. Some of the concerned Christians went and asked him, “Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day and then all your work and suffering will be for nothing.” The theologian replied, “If Jesus does return tomorrow then I will lay down my fight and rest from my labour. But today I still have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it’s finished.”

Our text is a prophecy of the second coming of the Messiah. When Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples were present and they watched Him disappear in a cloud. While they were still standing there men dressed in white said told them that Jesus would come back, in the same manner they saw Him go (Acts 1:11). The second coming of Jesus is separate from the rapture. At His return, He will come for the church, for those who belong to Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ will be coming in the same way that David prophesied about Him; that He will come to judge the people with equity and with righteousness.

Giving An Account

John is the writer of the book of Revelation. His single overriding passion is to see Jesus honoured and glorified. When he refers to all those who pierced Christ, he is noting that persecution or mockery of the church is a direct insult to the body of Christ. John is reminding us that when people mock God’s bride- the church, they insult God. Honour, glory, worship, praise, allegiance and thanksgiving will not go to God. However, the bible reminds us that all these people will have to give an account of Jesus.

How do we apply this knowledge to our faith and our journey of salvation? The scriptures are encouraging us to talk about hell and damnation. People need to hear about repentance and believing in the son of God. Some Christians feel that it is too rude or unloving to talk about the consequences of not accepting Christ. The most unloving thing we can do for anyone is to leave them in their sin and misery. Paul when writing to the Romans asked how the unbelievers are expected to believe in one whom they haven’t been told about (Romans 10:14).

Are We Ready?

When Jesus comes again, everybody on the earth will know that He is the saviour. However, none of us knows the time He will come or how He will come. The bible says He will appear as a thief does in the dead of night, with no warning (1 Thessalonians 5:2). The word of God has taught us how we ought to live, as we prepare for His second coming. He has also not left us like sheep without a shepherd for He has poured his spirit in us. I pray that when He comes we will be ready like the German pastor.

King James Version (KJV)

“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.”

New International Version (NIV)

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.”

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

“Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.”

New American Bible (NASB)

“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. So it is to be. Amen.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

“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.”

The Living Bible (TLB)

“See! He is arriving, surrounded by clouds; and every eye shall see him—yes, and those who pierced him. And the nations will weep in sorrow and in terror when he comes. Yes! Amen! Let it be so!”