Revelation 1:7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him… I. CHRIST WILL COME TO JUDGEMENT. 1. The announcement of prophecy: Enoch, Job. Christ and His disciples were frequent in their reference to fits final advent. They made it a motive for diligence, an incentive to watchfulness, and the occasion of other solemn instruction. 2. The statement of Scripture. "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." "He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained." 3. The conviction of reason. 4. The dread expectation of conscience. II. THE COMING OF CHRIST TO JUDGMENT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH MAJESTY AND GLORY. "He cometh with clouds." 1. The clouds are indicative of mystery. Clouds hide many things from mortal vision. So the coming of Christ will be associated with great mystery. There will be the mystery connected with a judge possessed of a nature at once human and Divine. There will be the mystery associated with the life and attendance of angelic spirits. There will be the mystery consequent upon the resurrection and trial of humanity. 2. The clouds are indicative of beauty. We have all seen and admired them. So the great coming of Christ will be associated with everything that constitutes moral grandeur. The scene will be one of supreme rectitude, of infinite purity, and, therefore, unrivalled glory. 3. The clouds are indicative of power. With what force do the clouds rush along the heavens; who, or what could resist them in their rapid march? So the final coming of Christ to judgment will be irresistible. III. THE COMING OF CHRIST TO JUDGMENT WILL BE WITNESSED BY AN ASSEMBLED UNIVERSE. "And every eye shall see Him." 1. He will be seen by the devout Christian. By men who have consecrated their lives to His service. These will be in sympathy with His coming. 2. He will be seen by the impious sceptic. Hobbs and Hume will see Him. These will behold His coming with surprise. 3. He will be seen by the morally impenitent. Herod, Judas, Pilate; sinner, you will see Him. These will see Him with dismay. Hypocrite and backslider, you will see Him. You will see Him with despair. IV. THE COMING OF CHRIST TO JUDGMENT MEETS WITH THE SOLEMN APPROBATION OF THE GOOD. "Even so, Amen." 1. They approve, not because they desire the final overthrow of the wicked. The good man's desire is, that the whole world should be saved. 2. They approve, because it is the legitimate termination of mortal affairs. 3. They approve, because it will lead them into a bright and more durable vision of the eternal.Lessons: — 1. The world will one day see Christ. 2. Will you "wail because of Him," or say, "Even so, Amen"? (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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