Introduction
John cont. to worship his Lord (5b-6). Now describes him in his coming. To what is he referring?
John speaks of the coming of Jesus Christ out of the matrix of two Old Testament Passages
Look he is coming with the clouds. Quotes from Daniel 7:13 Part of a vision of the Son of Man: 1-12; vs 13/our text interp. vs. 14.-his appearing is for purpose of receiving authority/everlasting dominion.
...and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him and all the peoples/every tribe of the earth will mourn because of him. Quotes Zechariah 12:10 Part of larger prophecy re: salvation of the Jews/destruction of their enemies 1-9; Jews to understand they rejected their Messiah, in his coming will mourn 11-12.
Matthew 24:30 combines and applies these to Christ. Answers question of when temple will be destroyed, sign of Christ's coming, when end of age will come (3). Context gives Jesus' answer. Cannot deal w/all but one--What will sign of his coming be? Vss 29-31. Christ comes all nations mourn.
So shall it be. Amen. Affirms certainty of coming. He will appear, every eye will see him, there will be mourning by all the peoples of the earth. This will happen.
Which coming and when?
Things to Note: Words, Second Coming/return of Christ not in Scripture. Nor question of when/time of his coming matter of concern in this text/anywhere in Rev. In fact, coming of Christ not even central concern of Revelation!
Scripture refers to several comings of Christ-Dif purpose: Matt 24:30, gather his elect; James 5:8,9, to judge; Rev 2:5, 16, 25; 3:3, 11 to judge the church; (presence of clouds can mean judgment-Joel 2:1,2; But in Dan 7:13 rep glory/authority. Acts 1:10,11; Rev 6:15,16; 22:20 refer to a final/climactic coming at end of age. And again - time not of concern to John/Scripture as whole except final coming. So question of which coming/time not addressed.
Reference to mourning does not help either. Zech 12:10 in context=mourning of Jews/grief at rejection. But what kind of mourning? John 19:34-37 grief leading to repent/faith (cf. 2 Cor 7:10). So, is it the mourning of nations at end (6:15,16), or one coming to faith in Christ? That John is author of gospel/our text leads perhaps to conclusion that grief unto rep/faith in view, but other cannot be ruled out.
John is comprehensive in his description
Elsewhere uses vocabulary in broad ways-1:1b,2 and revelation of Christ=both rev from/about Christ; broad meanings of words appear in gospel of John. Doing this here in text.
Series of comings appears in Revelation-chs 2/3 and 22:20. All comprehended. Part of general attitude of worship. Worships coming Christ for all he is, all he has done and all he will do (5b-7).
John-simply saying, He is coming. And he means that in a comprehensive, multi-faceted sense.
The coming of Jesus Christ in both senses has practical meaning for believers
Historically church has lived in expectation of the imminent coming of Christ- Rom 13:11; 1 John 2:28; 2 Peter 3:8-14. Has come in judgment/glory since John wrote Revelation - Ephesian church gone; but has been Reformation; Roman Catholic Church apostate but revivals repeated in history. In every case fair to say Christ has come to his church. To the degree that the church has failed to watch expectantly for his coming it has drifted from faithful service to her Lord. Decline of church tied to this. Christ in fact comes to us wherever two or more gathered in his name. And he comes to us when we are obedient to his teaching (John 14:23 If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.)
We are left with a two fold application of this text: 1. Expect Christ to deal faithfully with w/his church when she is faithful/unfaithful. He will come in blessing/judgement w/out fail. Let us therefore take heed how we conduct ourselves as a congregation. 2. Church must relearn the art of living in constant expectation that Christ will come. Hear the words of Christ himself: "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:35-40. Prayer, Evangelism, serving the needy, building up the saints, loving one another, all these he expects to find us doing when he comes. What if he comes tonight?
Conclusion
Make no mistake-there is a final climactic coming of Jesus Christ. But our text not focused on that alone. Set your eyes on his first coming-and trust in the sacrifice he offered then so that when he comes you will be found ready. Main issue each you must be concerned with: Are you ready? By faith in his sacrifice? By doing his commands? Are you ready?
Rev. Arthur J. Fox, Pastor
10 Spruce Street
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 944-5835