Bible Study Materials

LOOK, HE IS COMING

by   03/06/2009  

Question

1. Whose revelation is this? For what purpose? How was this made known to John? (1) What is John to do? (2) 2. Who are blessed? How is this blessedness emphasized? What is the extent of this blessedness? (22:7) 3. To whom does John write this book? (4a) What is his greeting? (4b) How is Jesus described? (5a) What did he do for us? (5b,6) What identity do we have in him? (Ex 19:6; 1 Pe 2:9) 4. Who is coming? How? What will happen on the earth at his coming? How is it confirmed? (7) What does his coming mean to his people? (Lk 21:28; Col 3:4) 5. Who says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega”? What does this mean?

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Message

Thank God for helping us to have a chance to study the book of Revelation. The author of this book is Apostle John and it was written around 95 A.D. This book is called sometimes the Revelation and sometimes the Apocalypse. The Greek word for revelation is apokalupsis. This Greek word is composed of two part, apo meaning away from plus kalupsis, a veiling. Apokalupsis, therefore, means an unveiling, a revealing. The revealing of the future can make people frightened and fearful. But it can make us his people awakened and assured of the future victory and glory in this uncertain and turbulent world. With this prayer may we study the book of Revelation, beginning with the first lesson entitled, “Look, he is coming.” Look at verse 1. “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not about Jesus Christ. God gave this revelation to Jesus. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. Then John testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (God -> Jesus -> his angel -> John -> all other servants). All other Bible writers wrote the 65 books of the Bible by God’s inspiration. But this book of Revelation is what John saw in the Spirit. He did not write about certain events or stories. He wrote testifying to everything he saw. That is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. So, we can say that the book of Revelation is the most reliable, although all the books of the Bible are 100% reliable; and as flawless. That’s the way it is specifically written in Revelation 22:18,19, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” The reliability of this book had to be protected. We know that all those who read and study the Bible are blessed people. Yet, the blessedness of those who read the words of this book of the prophecy is specifically written from the beginning of this book. Look at verse 3. “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” The blessing is doubly guaranteed. Generally, people have unpleasant feelings when they try to read this book, maybe because of the number 666, the appearance of dragon and beasts, the death of a third of mankind, the war of Armagedon, or the fiery lake of burning sulfur. But may God help us to have the assurance of blessedness as we study this book of Revelation. First, he has freed us and made us a kingdom and priests (4-6). Look at verse 4. “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia…” Now the writer and the recipients of this book come. This book is a sort of letter because the recipients are clearly written. However, the sender and the receivers are written in verse 4, after the head description of “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” So this is John’s letter, not a personal letter, but concerning the revelation of Jesus Christ. This letter is sent to the seven churches in the province of Asia. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (perfect number, completeness, to the whole church). Look at verses 4b,5b. “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ…” This greeting of grace and peace is from the triune God, the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son Jesus Christ, while most of the letters in the New Testament send the greetings of grace and peace “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” For the churches the role of the Holy Spirit is obvious (2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). And Jesus is introduced as the one “who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Jesus is the faithful witness. “Faithful” is in Greek, “Pistos” that includes the meaning of “trustworthy”, and witness, “martus.” In the Old Testament God spoke through the prophets (Heb 1:1), but in the New Testament God has spoken by his Son (Heb 1:2). A witness is essentially a person who speaks from first-hand knowledge. No one can be the witness of God and heavenly things but Jesus the Son. In his night conversation with Nicodemus Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen...No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (Jn 3:11,13). And at the time of trial he said to Pilate, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth…” (Jn 18:37). What a blessing it is to mankind that we have the faithful, trustworthy witness of God and the heaven! And Revelation 19:11 says, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” He is so faithful and true that his name is the Word of God (Rev 19:13). We live in this deceptive and confusing world. But people must know that Jesus is the faithful witness. Next, Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. No man was raised from the dead, but Jesus. He is the firstborn from the dead. He is in the first place of glory and honour because of his resurrection from the dead. Jesus said in Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!” And so he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Kings of the world are great. Yet, there is a ruler over the kings of the earth. At that time the Roman Empire was magnificent and emperor worship was heavily imposed. As a result Christians were so persecuted and was banished with no place to go. But Jesus’ people had to know that he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. His name is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:16). Then how is he related to us? Look at verse 5b,6. “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” First and of foremost importance, he loves us. In love the subject is important, that is, “who loves us”. Human lover’s love is beautiful and comforting. Yet, that love is limited and human loves temporal and diminishes at difficult situations. However, he who is the faithful witness and the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the world loves us. His love is all powerful, and always present. His love is shown in the gospel story and in Revelation we see again his love. His love is true, especially at difficult times. His love is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8). Then, in his love what did he do? He has freed us from our sins by his blood. Nothing could save and free us from our sins. We groaned in our sins day and night. But when we heard of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that he died on the cross for our sins shedding his precious blood, we were freed from our sins which annoyed and tormented our souls night and day. He groaned on a tree in our place, shedding all his holy blood to free us from all our sins. Even now the blood of Jesus frees us from our sins at each moment. Whenever our sin binds us, we must look at his shed blood on the cross. In this grace we now live by faith, which was impossible before and which is now a truly free life. We praise God for this wonderful grace of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ goes further. He has made us to be a kingdom and priests. Jesus’ grace of freeing us from our sins by his blood is truly marvelous. But it is not enough. He made us a kingdom and priests. The kingdom he made us is not like a worldly kingdom, though worldly kingdoms such as Roman Empire looked so great and glamorous. This kingdom is the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of love and light and truth, which would conquer the whole world. Revelation 11:15 says, “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’” (And we will reign with him.) He has made us to be a kingdom and priests. In the Old Testament priests were really chosen privileged people. They were those who would bring people to God through the sacrificing of lambs in the Temple of God. Now each of us has been made a priest, who brings people of this world to God in prayer. Since Christ Jesus died for the sin of the world as the Lamb of God, now we can bring people to God for the forgiveness of their sins and the new life in Christ. People’ problem is more than merely psychological and psychiatric in this world. In a radio broadcast, it is good for me to hear the words, “beautiful music for a crazy world.” Listening to beautiful music soothes our souls. But we cannot stop there. Many people in our society were disappointed at the decision of the judges regarding Vince Li. It is because people do not recognize the existence of evil spirits and the devil’s rampant work of merciless killing and destroying. As long as they do not recognize the spiritual war between the Holy Spirit and evil spirits, there will be more and more victims of the devil’s work. People must come to Christ, who can solve man’s sin problem and drive out evil spirits from men. For this work of God we are made to be priests. Truly this is our wonderful identity, a kingdom and priests. In the Old Testament form, it is written in Exodus 19:6, “you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In the New Testament St. Peter wrote this way, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…” (1 Peter 2:9). And it is written in Revelation 2 times. Revelation 5:10 says, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” And here in Revelation 1, the three specific graces are interwoven together, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.” May God help us to keep this wonderful identity and serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in this world. Third, “Look, he is coming” (7-8). A truly great and amazing thing is to come. The grace and glory of Jesus Christ is far beyond what we can imagine. Look at verse 7. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.’” Wow! History is not a random process of unpredictable events and happenings. It is heading toward the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to this world from above. He was born in a manger and died and rose and was ascended into heaven. While on earth he promised again and again that he would come back. The promise of Jesus’ coming again is written in all four gospels. In Mathew’s gospel it is written: “For as the lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Mt 24:27,30). Mark 13:26 says, “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Luke 21:25,26 says, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” In John’s gospel Jesus said of his coming again to his disciples very gently in a personal way in the upper room dialogue: “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” Jn 14:2,3). The ascension of Jesus is vividly written in Acts: “After he said this, he was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (1:9). At this fantastic sight of Jesus’ ascension his Galilean disciples were stunned and were looking up intently the sky as he was going. Then suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (1:11). The second coming of our Lord Christ Jesus is an unambiguous, crystal clear promise of the Bible. And this is one clear point of Revelation. Revelation 22:7 says, “Behold, I am coming soon!...” And Revelation 22:12 says, “Behold, I am coming soon!...” And the last words of Revelation and the Bible excepting the final greeting are, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20). Jesus’ coming again is the climax of God’s redemptive work and the climax of the history of mankind. At the first coming of Jesus only a few eyes saw him, the baby in a manger. But at the second coming, every eye will see him. Even those who pierced him will see him. All those who pierced definitely include all those who denied, rejected him, or persecuted his people. Since every eye will see him, there will be no need of preaching that Jesus came back to the earth. Everyone will be his or her own witness, first-hand witness and be the judge over each one’s own destiny. All the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. This will be a world-wide mourning. When angel of death swept over the land of Egypt, there was a nation-wide mourning because of the death of the firstborn son in each family. This time, however, the whole world will mourn and weep. But to his people this will be the day of final victory and great glory, because Christ the Lord has made us a kingdom. It is not because of our own righteous acts and achievements. It is because of what we are in him. He is our Lord and Christ; we belong to him. This coming with the clouds is not like an unknown superman or martian-man’s sudden coming. No. We have known him through fellowship with him. This is what we studied in Colossians, he is our life. When he appears, we also will appear with him in glory (Col 3:4). This will be the victory and glory to his people. This is the first thing to be revealed among all the future events, the first of revelation written in the Book of Revelation. We must look: ” and “Look, he is coming.” So he wants us to stand up and lift up our heads (Lk 21:28). We must know that we are such people with such promise of God. “So shall it be! (“nai” in Greek meaning “verily” or “truly”) Amen (Hebrew for a solemn affirmation)” This promise is doubly assured. Our God wants us to long for this glorious day, living as a kingdom and priests in this world. Look at verse 8. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” What a meaningful statement! Alpha is the first letter and omega the last of the Greek alphabet. Our God is the one who sees the end at the beginning, and sees the beginning at the end. In other words to him the Alpha and the Omega go together. He did not say, “I was the Alpha and now I am the Omega.” No. He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” All of history: past and present and future, are in his hand. He is the one, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Thank God for our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests. Praise him for the sure promise and vision of the Lord Jesus’ coming with the clouds and that every eye will see him. In his measureless grace may we live as a kingdom and priests in this world and be welcomed into his glory when he comes again.

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Message

Thank God for granting us this opportunity to study the book of revelation at this critical time. This book is written by apostle John. It was around AD 95-96 during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96). During the time of his ruling in the Empire, particularly the last 7 years of his reign, the persecution for Christians was very severe, and this book is written towards the end of Domitian’s reign. This book of Revelation is an epistle, a prophecy, and an apocalypse. This book is called Revelation or Apocalypse. The Greek word for revelation is apokalupsis. This Greek word is composed of two parts, “apo” meaning “away from” plus “kalupsis”, “veiling”. Apokalupsis, therefore, means unveiling, revealing. It is the apocalypse, the unveiling, the disclosure of details hidden from human view, particularly future events. It is not a hiding, but a revealing. Most significantly this book reveals Jesus Christ. The gospels unveiled Christ in His first coming in humiliation; the book of Revelation unveils Christ in His second coming in exaltation. Jesus Christ is the great central theme of this book, which closes the Bible. As we study this book of Revelation, may we have an ardent desire to know Jesus deeply with a yearning for His second coming. Also, may we be able to read the signs of Jesus’ coming again (Mt. 16:3) and learn more clearly how to live in these last days. Today’s passage includes the brief introduction of this book, apostle John’s greeting to the recipients of this epistle, his first message of Jesus’ second coming. First, Blessedness from this book (1-3). This book begins with verses 1 and 2, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” This can be the concise summary of this book. God is the source of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And the revelation was primarily given by God to Jesus Christ. The purpose is to show his servants/bondservants what must soon take place. So this book is not to be shown to some specific people but all those who have Jesus as their Lord and Master. And God wants his servants to know what must soon take place, not just what will take place. It is because the future of this world is completely in the hand of God according to his absolute plan. Then it says “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” John wrote the gospel of John as an eyewitness of Jesus’ life in this world, including his death and resurrection. Particularly John 19:35 says after the event of a Roman soldier’s piercing with a spear the side of Jesus on the cross, “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.” John did not write his name specifically, probably in his humbleness, but clearly testified to what he saw, being sure that he was telling the truth. So John’s gospel was about what took place concerning Jesus in this world. But the Revelation is about the heavenly things that will take place in the world, which John saw guided by the angel. The expression “I saw” is written 32 times in this book. John testifies to everything he saw. And what he saw and testifies to is not something bizarre or weird. John clearly wrote, “that is, the word of God and testimony of Jesus.” Then in verse 3, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it…” Generally, we can say that those who read and hear the words of the Bible are blessed and that is true. Yet, no Bible writer specifically says about the blessedness of those who read or hear the words of his book. However, John had to write from the very beginning chapter, “Blessed is he who reads…blessed are those who hear it…take to heart…” The expression “Bless is…” or “Blessed are” is written 7 times in Revelation. 5 times are related to Christ and 2 times to this book itself in the first chapter and the last chapter 22. Jesus himself said in 22:7, “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Jesus himself speaks of this blessedness. It is the only book in the Bible that opens and closes with a blessing on the reader. And John wrote, “because the time is near.” It is also written in 22:10, “Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” It was written in “what must soon take place.”. When we think of God’s history, it includes God’s creation, man’s fall, God’s long preparation to send the Saviour his Son, the Son Jesus’ coming into this world according to God’s promise and his death and resurrection and ascension, and the blessing of salvation spreading to the Gentiles. The last thing to be fulfilled is Jesus’ second coming. The period between Jesus’ ascension and his seconding coming is considered last days, the last stage in God’s history. So the time is near. The prophets in the Old Testament some times viewed Jesus’ first coming and second coming as one event. His first coming implies his second coming. The time is near. Apostle Peter also wrote in 1 Peter 4:7 as we studied, “The end of all things is near.” After the apostles’ era, around 2000 years have passed. Then the time is much nearer. And 2 Peter 3:8, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like day.” May we live with time sense, the imminence of the time that the time is near and seek the blessedness of reading and hearing and keeping the words of the prophecy in this book. Second, Christ’s love (4-6). In verses 4 and 5, “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Here comes the unbelievable, Trinitarian benediction. The opening greeting of grace and peace is from the triune God, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son Jesus Christ. This kind of greetings is very unique in the Bible, written in this last book of the Bible. From the beginning it shows John’s heart desire that the full blessing of God’s grace and peace may be poured out upon the recipients of this epistle. “Who is, and who was, and who is to come” is the expression of the eternal God the Father, existing in the past and now and in the future forevermore. The seven spirits from God’s throne is the sevenfold Spirit, the Holy Spirit in perfection and fullness. Peculiarly, more is written about Jesus Christ, than the Father and the Holy Spirit. From the beginning we see that the focus is the Son Christ Jesus. Jesus is introduced as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus came into this world to witness to God the Father. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” The word “witness” conveys the meaning of martyr. To witness to God the Father and his kingdom beyond this world, Jesus gave his life. Especially he made the good confession when he was tried before Pilate (1 Tim. 6:13), saying, “My kingdom is not of this world…now my kingdom is from another place.” When Pilate said, “You are a king, then!”, Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (Jn. 18:36-37). He wants us to be his faithful witnesses in this world (Acts 1:8). And Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. Some people were raised from the dead before Jesus. But Jesus is the preeminent One. As we studied, his rising from the dead was victory over death, living forever. And his resurrection is the firstfruits that will bring many other fruits of resurrection. He is the true victor in life. And he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is ruling the world sitting on the right hand of God, though it is invisible. His ruling will be evident when he comes again into this world and strikes the nations with a sharp sword coming out of his mouth and rules them with an iron scepter (Rev. 19:15). So Revelation 19:16 says, “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Kings and authorities of this world threaten God’s people. But what an encouragement it is that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth! Then the relationship we have with him is written in verse 6b: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father…” His love for us always is present. He loves us. Who loves us? It is the one who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He proved his love for us by giving his life for us. According to Romans 5:8, “While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” And in 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…” Here he has freed us from our sins by his blood. Because of our sins we were salves to sin and the enemies of God as the object of God’s wrath. But Christ offered himself as an atoning sacrifice shedding his blood for our sins so that we might become the object of God’s mercy and love from the object of God’s wrath. Indeed, he has freed us from our sins by his blood. We became free people of God through his sacrifice. Furthermore, he has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father. We are not nobodies in the world. We are made his kingdom more powerful than any kingdom in this world, his kingdom people under the most powerful king, King of Kings and Lord of lords. We are made also priests who have the privileges of accessing God and bringing people to God. The love of Jesus Christ is his redeeming sacrificial love and liberating and elevating love. His love is ever-present. Nothing can separate us from this love of Christ. As we study Revelation, we must hold to this love of Christ. When God’s wrath is poured out, the people of the world, the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man seek hiding places out of great fear (Rev. 6:15). Corolla virus is the just beginning of such fear. To God’s people the love of Christ is the wings of God’s perfect protection, so the safest zone we can stay in and invite others to. The love of Christ is our true security while living this turbulent world. When the renowned theologian in the 20th century Karl Barth visited the University of Chicago, students and scholars crowded around him. At a press conference, one asked, “Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth you have learned in your studies?” Without hesitation he replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” It can be also our confession. When our life becomes shaky because of outward circumstances or our weaknesses, what truly sustains us is Christ’s love. His love never fails (1 Cor. 13:4). Christ’s love is written in Revelation 1 here. Then our love relationship with Christ is shown as that of bride and bridegroom written in 19:7, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” While we study Revelation, may our love relationship with Christ be strong and deep. Now the doxology is given to Jesus Christ, “To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” From the introduction, the doxology is given to Jesus Christ. Among the Triune God the Son Christ Jesus is focused as the One who is worthy of praise and who has all authority to judge. Third, His second coming (7-8). Now here is the first message of Revelation after the opening greeting. Look at verse 7, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” When Jesus ascended into heaven, the two angels said to the awestricken disciples that Jesus would come back in the same way he was taken into heaven (Ac. 1:7). While on earth, Jesus himself repeatedly said about his coming again. He predicted more about his second coming than his death and resurrection. He said to his disciples sitting on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24:30, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and glory.” In Matthew’s gospel Jesus even told the parable of the ten virgins, of the talents and of the sheep and the goats, which are related to his second coming (25:1-46). Mark 13:26 says, “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” And Jesus said in Luke 21:25-27, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” In John’s gospel Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room dialogue, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (Jn. 14:2-3). Even while Jesus was on the trial before the Sanhedrin, he said, “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt. 26:64; Mk. 14:62). And most of the epistles also say about the second coming of Jesus Christ. For instance, as we studied in 1 Corinthians, 1:7 says, “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” 15:23 says, “But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits, then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” And 16:22 says, “If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse upon him. Come, O Lord!” In Hebrews 10:37-38 it is written, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith…” As we studied in 1 Peter, 1:5 says, “who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 5:4 says, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” And the prophets in the Old Testament says much more about Christ’s second coming than the first coming. Here Revelation 1:7, it says, “Look, he is coming with the clouds.” The direct reference of this word is Daniel 7:13, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” In Revelation 1:7, the use of the present progressive tense is intended to give us the feeling that He’s already on the way, that the process of His coming has already begun. The clouds indicate God’s presence and God’s glory (Ex. 40:34). Jesus’ coming again is the first and the last message in Revelation, In Revelation 22 Jesus said of this three times in 22:7, “Behold, I am coming soon!...”, in 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon!...”, and in 22:20, ““‘Yes, I am coming soon” and God’s people are respond “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Jesus’ second coming is most written and the most overwhelming message in the Bible. Jesus’ coming again is the climax of God’s redemptive work and the climax of the history of mankind. All the history is heading toward the fulfillment of Christ Jesus’ second coming. We see how eagerly God wants us to believe and live in an eager expectation of the second coming of his Son Jesus, preparing ourselves for it. We should prepare for this as our students prepare for their exams and the people of the word for the protection from Corolla virus. Verse 7 continues, “Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him.” The last image of Jesus the Son of God to the world was his being tortured and crucified and killed on the cross. This was the reality of the humble Jesus for the salvation of mankind. This image of Jesus should not be the end. The world should see the truly glorious and powerful Son of God, coming with the clouds. Every eye on the earth will see him and should see him. This will be the manifested victory of Christ the Son of God to the glory of God. Even those who pierced him will see him. This refers to Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” God’s chosen people Israelites who rejected Christ at his first coming will see him in the nation-wise repentance according to the prophecy of God. And all the peoples of the earth will mourn in their stubborn refusal of God. This will be the day of judgment for the unbelieving people of the world, but the day of salvation for the people of God. So Jesus said in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And Apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” What a promise! The end of verse 7 is “So shall it be. Amen.” This is to be the consent of Jesus’ people to the message of Christ’s coming again. Then there is God’s confirmation in 1:8, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” God who is omniscience, omnipresent and omnipotent confirms the coming of the Son. Thank God for the love of Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, and who has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests. Thank God for the sure promise of his coming on the clouds. In his love, may we keep these words of the promise of Christ’s coming again in our hearts and be truly blessed.

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