Revelation 1:7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him… I. THE COMING OF CHRIST. II. THE EVIDENCE OF HIS COMING. This appears from the character of God, from His holiness and righteousness, His faithfulness and truth, from His holy covenant, counsels and promises, His infinite glory, and Divine government. The truth of this appears from the character of Christ — from His human nature, His atoning death, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to heaven, and Divine administration. The evidence further appears from the work of the Spirit, who convinces the world of judgment to come — from the law of God, which is perfect, pure, and spiritual, holy, just, and good. The truth of this appears from the types of Holy Writ (Numbers 6:24-26; Matthew 25:34). Again, the evidence appears from the prophecy of Enoch (Jude 1:14, 15); from the character of God as the Judge of all the earth; from the faith of Job in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25, 27); from many of the Psalms; from the vision of Daniel (Daniel 7:10-14); from Christ's parables, the testimony of the angels when Jesus ascended, and from the doctrines and promises of the prophets and apostles. The truth of this will be rendered obvious from the works of Providence, and the unequal distribution of Divine dispensations. Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth. The evidence of this appears from reason, the light of nature, the power of conscience, and the inseparable connection between the Creator and the creature. III. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING. 1. We have in these words the solemnity of His coming. This great event is ushered in with a "Behold!" 2. We have in these words the reality of His coming. He will come personally: "The Lord Himself will descend from heaven." 3. The certainty of His coming. 4. The nearness of His coming. 5. The suddenness of His coming. His first coming was slow and progressive. IV. THE MAJESTY OF HIS COMING. "Behold He cometh with clouds." Clouds are the symbols of Divine majesty. He shall come in the Father's glory, invested with all His essential perfections, with all His authority, excellence, and majesty. He shall come in His own glory, the glory of His Deity, His person, and His offices as mediator. He shall come in the glory of the Holy Spirit, resting upon Him as the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might, of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. He shall be glorious in His throne — the great white throne. He shall be glorious in His apparel — robes of light; and also in His power — travelling in the greatness of His strength, mighty to save. He shall be glorious in His chariot — the clouds of heaven, the wings of the wind. He shall be glorious in His attendants — the holy angels, the beings of light. He shall be glorious in His Church, who shall bear His blessed image, reflect His moral glory, and exhibit the transcendent excellence of the last, the finishing touch, of His glorious, skilful, wonder-working hand. He will be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe. He shall be glorious in His last great work of judgment and mercy, now finished for ever, and He shall contemplate the whole scene with Divine delight, and pronounce it to be good. V. THE EFFECTS OF HIS COMING. The first effect is the misery of the wicked: "All the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." There is here an allusion to the book of Zechariah (Zechariah 10:12). The second effect is the triumph of the righteous: "Even so, Amen." The first word is Greek, the last word is Hebrew. The expression is doubled, to strengthen the assertion. It expresses the apostle's acquiescence in the promise: even so, thus let it be; it is just and right that it should be so. It expresses the soul's approbation of the promise; of all the counsels and arrangements of heaven. It expresses faith in the promise: "Lord, I believe that Thou wilt come." It implies hope in the promise: "Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour." VI. THE USES OF HIS COMING. Hence see the glorious consummation of the whole plan of mercy. All the perfections of God shall be displayed, His character shall be glorified, His law shall be honoured, and His government vindicated; all His counsels shall be fully unfolded, and all the predictions of His Word shall be verified; and God shall then be all in all, in His ineffable resplendent glory. Hence see the necessity of constant preparation for the coming of Christ. We cannot die in safety unless we enjoy peace with God. (James Young.) 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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