What is the meaning of Matthew 25:31? When the Son of Man comes • “Son of Man” is Jesus’ own favorite title for Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13–14, where the One “like a Son of Man” receives everlasting dominion. By using it here, Jesus declares that He Himself is that prophesied ruler. • His coming is personal and literal. Acts 1:11 promises He will return “in the same way” He ascended, and John 14:3 assures believers, “I will come back and welcome you into My presence.” • The verse begins with “When,” not “If,” underlining certainty. For everyone, history is moving toward this unavoidable appointment with Christ’s return (see Revelation 1:7). in His glory • The glory that was veiled during His first advent (Philippians 2:7) will be fully displayed. Matthew 24:30 foretells the nations seeing “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” • “His glory” also signals divine glory—He shares the glory of the Father (John 17:5). The return will therefore be unmistakably divine, not merely spectacular. • Unlike His humble birth in Bethlehem, this coming will be clothed in majesty, fulfilling Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each according to what he has done.” and all the angels with Him • The entire angelic host accompanies Him, underscoring His supremacy over every created power (Hebrews 1:6). • 2 Thessalonians 1:7 pictures the Lord “revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” linking their presence to both comfort for believers and justice for unbelievers. • Angels serve as His heavenly court and heralds (Luke 2:13–14; Revelation 5:11). Their collective presence signals the consummation of God’s plan and the gathering of all nations before the Judge (Matthew 25:32). He will sit on His glorious throne • The throne is real and regal. Psalm 110:1 portrays the Messiah invited to sit at the right hand of God; Matthew 19:28 promises that same throne in “the renewal of all things.” • Sitting conveys completed work and sovereign authority. His redemptive mission is finished; now He rules and judges (Revelation 20:11–12). • This throne fulfills the promise of an everlasting kingdom to David’s heir (2 Samuel 7:16; Luke 1:32–33). All authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18) culminates in this visible seat of judgment. summary Matthew 25:31 assures us of a literal, future moment when Jesus, the promised Son of Man, returns in undeniable splendor. He will be visibly revealed, accompanied by the full company of angels, and will take His rightful seat as King and Judge. For believers, this is the blessed hope of seeing their Savior glorified; for the world, it is the decisive revelation of His authority and the prelude to final judgment. |
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