Coming in the Clouds
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Concerning the timing of His Return: I believe that all the prophecies given to Israel , by the prophets of Israel concerning the Last Days have all been fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem , with the Old Covenant temple system, in 70AD. I believe the last days were the last days of the Old Covenant age, and that the age we are currently in is the "age to come" which will have no end ( Ephesians 3:21, Ecclesiastes 1:4, Matthew 13:39, Matthew 24:3) . I believe there is no resolution of death, no inheritance, no salvation and no redemption for man outside of His Return to put away sin. If we are in the New Covenant today, and the Bible is true, then the 2 nd Coming must have happened attendant with the destruction of the old temple and its system.
Concerning the nature of His Return: I have found no scripture that explicitly teaches that Jesus will return physically. It is the nature of His Return that I want to talk about now.
One of the most frequent questions I am asked when presenting this covenantal view of eschatology is: "But what about Jesus coming on the clouds? You would think that such an astonishing event would have been recorded".
I will answer this question shortly, but I will first address the real problems taking a wooden, literal view of the language used by the prophets to describe the 2 nd Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Consider these two passages.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)
And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. (Zechariah 6:1 and 3)
Note that the language of the white horse and the red horse used by the prophet John is identical to that of the prophet Zechariah in Zechariah Chapter 6. Though both prophets are speaking of the 2 nd Coming, Zechariah describes the horses as coming from between two brass mountains, drawing chariots (Zechariah 6:1-3) whereas John describes them as coming "from heaven" (Revelation 19:11) ridden by a figure having a bow and a crown (Revelation 6:2). If these passages are to be taken in a wooden, literal sense, then we are forced to conclude that there are brass mountains in the heavens, and that our Savior will be armed and riding a white horse, which is pulling a chariot. Add to this a sword emanating from His mouth (Revelation 19:15 ) and carrying a trumpet (Zechariah 9:14 ) and we have a truly bizarre picture of His Return, and a lot of unanswered questions; most of them truly wierd.
Here is another problem. If you take the language literally, the Word of God attests that the 2 nd Coming of Christ will be both a noisy, public affair as well as a silent, secret event:
For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(Matthew 24:27)
It's difficult to understand how something as a heavenly "shock and awe" event, resulting in the failing of men's hearts, can be compared to a secret removal of the righteous (an event which is not recorded in the Bible) or the "thief in the night" language:
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 st Thessalonians 5:1-3)
The 2 nd Coming can be both public and noisy, as well as silent and in secret. Here is another example of a problem we have if we take this language literally.
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (Zecaraiah 14:4)
How Jesus can be both big enough to straddle a mountain range and still be able to ride a horse? Is His Coming observed as lightening, or as in a cloud? This may sound silly, but these are fair questions; many of us have just not given it much thought. But ponder this now: His literal coming cannot be both as flaming fire, with a trump and a shout, and also be as a thief in the night! He cannot come both on a cloud and on a horse!
The language and the prophecies were specific to Israel . Notice the similarity the last-days, prophetic language used in Exodus Chapter 20, where Moses was addressing the Children of Israel as he "drew near to the thick darkness where God was":
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. (Exodus 20:18)
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightenings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
(Exodus 19:16)
The use of this language is traced to Mount Sinai . The loud thunderings, the clouds and thick smoke and the lightenings were description of a prominent event in Israel 's history. The language used to describe Yahweh's presence among His people began with Israel , and was passed down many generations. The prophecies using this language were specific to Israel and their God; they had nothing to do with His Wrath poured out on all the peoples of His Creation. Many believe - as do I - that the language of clouds and thick darkness, earthquakes and trumpets originate with fearful volcanic activity. It will not do to pull these passages out of their context in order to build a case for some future judgment against all human kind. In fact, the Apostle Peter applied these prophecies to the first-century diaspora - Israelites - scattered throughout Pontus , Galatia , Cappadocia , Asia , and Bithynia :
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.. (1 Peter 1:10)
It amazes me that, for over 30 years, I actually missed the target of the Last Days prophecies! All these prophecies concern the Holy City and the Covenant people alone. If you actually read Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Amos and Revelation you really do find that to attempt to extend these prophecies to all peoples and the entire planet is a real stretch. It was their covenantal heaven and earth!
In Isaiah 51:15-16 Jehovah, speaking to Israel , said he gave them the Mosaic Covenant, "that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion , You are my people."
(More on Heaven and Earth, Don K. Preston)
Did you know that the phrase "2nd Coming" is not actually in the Bible? The Greek word used to reference His Return is Paraousia (which simply means "presence"). In every case, the use of the word is never plural. This, then, precludes the idea of two comings (one secret, the other public.) The 1 st century believers were assured, however, that He would return a 2 nd time unto salvation (Hebrews 9:28 ) which was "ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5). If that Return has not happened, there is no Salvation today.
We cannot create multiple comings. Nearly all Bible scholars admit the 1 st -century destruction of Jerusalem as being the prophetic context of the first half of Matthew Chapter 24. But we are not free to turn around and create another coming to facilitate the apocalyptic language of the second half of Matthew Chapter 24 . And, that's precisely what the vast majority of mainstream Christians believe.
To the 1 st -century Israelite, there was the then-current age (the Mosaic Law Covenant) and the "Age to Come" - the New Covenant - the age which is ushered in when the Old Covenant ends. The New Covenant was to be an age which has no end.
If we are in the New Covenant, then the Old Covenant age is done away.
Think about this! If we are in the New Covenant, then we are currently in the "Age to Come". Therefore, this age will not end. There will not be a secreting away of the Church; a concept which is not in the Bible. There will be no destruction of the Universe.
The Word of God does not contradict itself. Whatever language is throwing us off the prophetic promises is subject to re-examination.
We are often told that the 2 nd Coming will result in the fiery destruction of planet earth. Yet, the Bible clearly says that men will be able to escape the Wrath:
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. (Luke 17:31)
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains... (Mark 13:14 )
See also Luke 12:39. Clearly, one cannot escape the destruction of the planet by fleeing to the mountains. Also, why would those outside the city be warned not to enter in the city if the context is the destruction of the universe, and not the city (Luke 21:21 )?
The Word of God does not contradict itself. Whatever language is throwing us off the prophetic promises is subject to re-examination. The first thing we need to do is acknowledge that audience relevance really matters. It's really not all about us!
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.(Luke 21:27-28)
Who is the "they" that will see the Son of Man? Those who remain in Jerusalem (verse 20). Verse 24 clearly paints a picture of war:
..And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down..
(Luke 21:24)
When is this to happen? The prophecy is clear:
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 24:31-32)
The inspired writer is inarguably applying this event to the then-living generation. It is a warning to them that were to be carried off, delivered into prisons and synagogues (by the way, explain to me how being delivered to a synagogue would without acknowledging that this concerns the Jewish persecution of believers!) I've heard the arguments: the attempt to redefine geneos as nation, and the claim that Jesus is trying to instill upon all generations a sense of expectation. These arguments simply don't work, and border on intellectual dishonesty. Generation means generation ( Matthew 23:36 , 11:16 , 12:41 ,-42, 16:4) . Jesus was not talking about us, but was answering two questions directed toward him by living, breathing first-century believers:
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? (Luke 21:7)
In answering their questions, Jesus did not change the context of his answer midstream to address us, 2000 years later. After all, His Return brought closure to the Old Covenant Saints and the Martyrs. Paul made this abundantly clear in 2 nd Thessalonians Chapters 1 and 2. Paul promised the Thessalonians that THEY would see relief from the pressure ( thelipsis ). Was Paul and Jesus both wrong in using language of imminence? Are the Old Covenant saints still in the grave, seeking their vindication and resurrection? Was Paul talking about a different coming than Jesus? Of course not!
In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (Luke 21:19-20)
The Olivet Discourse remains a huge problem for the futurist, as does the persistent language of imminence found throughout the New Testament gospels and epistles. The 1 st -century context of the siege of Jerusalem is positively inescapable. I refer you to Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17 ; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1, James 5:3, 2 Peter 3:3, Jude 18; 1 and John 2:18 for examples.
This brings us back to His Coming in the Clouds. The image of His Coming in the Clouds is burned into our minds. We see it in artist renderings, and we hear it in our music and from the pulpit. For many of us, to even think that this image is not true is paramount to denying His Lordship. But let's read the passage again from the Gospel of Luke:
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.(Luke 21:27-28)
Here are three reasons why we should conclude this phrase is to be considered an idiom.
First, any reference Bible will refer you here to Daniel 7:13:
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13)
Notice that here, Daniel says that one LIKE the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven. If Jesus was appealing to the Daniel's prophecy in describing His Return, then what Daniel said here cannot be ignored.
Second, Jesus said that he would come in "power and great glory". But Yahweh alone came many times in Power and Glory (Micah 5:2). Therefore, Jesus was claiming He was God when he told the investigating council that he would return in the clouds ( Matthew 26:63-64) . This is why Caiaphas the high priest rent his clothes! These people knew what the language meant. It was their prophecies which were taught in the synagogues, the language of which were passed on through the generations of Israel . Coming in Power and Great Glory was always judgment upon the wicked. It symbolically represented to Israel both Yahweh's judgment and salvation through His Presence.
But every time Yahweh came in Power and Glory in the past, it had been through conquering armies, natural disaster and pestilence - ending with a "then they will know that I am God!" Therefore, Jesus' coming in Power and Glory - as His Father before him - is to invoke images of war and famine. It certainly was no wonder why the council in Acts 1 became so distraught!
Third: Yahweh's coming in the clouds happened before. The Hebrews knew what it meant. The exact language of the sun being darkened and the stars not giving their light is found not only in New Testament (Matt 24:29 , Mark 13:25 , Luke 21:26) but in the Old Testament as well. Consider this passage from the prophet Isaiah concerning the destruction of Babylon :
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible - Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:10-13)
Babylon did indeed see a Day of the Lord. They were destroyed by the Meades as prophesied in verse 17. What kind of hermeneutic allows us to conclude that this apocalyptic language is really different than the language our Savior used, as well as the inspired writers of New Testament scripture?
The Glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud centuries before Christ. Don't believe me; please read the following passages:
Exodus 16:10
Exodus 19:9
Exodus 34:5
Leviticus 16:2
Numbers 11:25
Here is how the psalmist describes the Presence of Yahweh:
He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire. (Psalms 18:9-12)
I want to deal with another common appeal for a literal interpretation of His Coming in the Clouds. Didn't Jesus say in Acts 1 that he would return the same way the three disciples saw him leave? Let's look at the passage:
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; 11 and they also said, "Men of Galilee , why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11 NASB)
In answering this, I will quote David B. Curtis, in his excellent article Christ's Cloud Coming :
His ascension was physical and visible, so won't His return be also? It says He will come in "just the same way." The words "just the same way" are the Greek phrase "hon tropon." By examining the usage of "hon tropon" in the New Testament, it is clear that this phrase does not mean: "exactly the same in every detail," but has the idea of: "similar in some fashion."
It should also be pointed out that, in the Transfiguration, Jesus was going - not coming - in the clouds. So, clearly, the "Coming in the Clouds" language is figurative.
By now, you should be seeing that the "Coming in the Clouds" image we have in our minds is but one of the many descriptions we have of the Comings of our Lord:
-AS LIGHTNING
-AS A THIEF
-AS THE BRIDEGROOM
-AS THE MORNING STAR
-AS THE SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARISING
-IN RESURRECTION POWER
-IN FLAMING FIRE
-AS REFINER'S FIRE AND FULLERS' SOAP
-IN THE AIR
-AS THE RAIN
-ON A WHITE HORSE
-AS KING
-AS THE CHIEF SHEPHERD
-WITH HIS ANGELS
-WITH HIS SAINTS
-TO HIS SAINTS
-IN HIS SAINTS
-IN JUDGMENT
-WITH REWARDS
-WITH A SHOUT
-WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL
-WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD
-TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
-TO HIS TEMPLE
-IN GLORY
-AS LORD
-IN HIS KINGDOM
-AS SEASONS OF REFRESHING
It will not do acknowledge all these descriptions in any sense, yet conclude that the method of His Coming was to be only (literally) in the clouds.
And the Glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Luke 3:6
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