Behold, He comes!!!

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.
Rev. 1:7

In His first advent, Jesus came as a baby, born to a mere carpenter's wife in a small town in Judea. Only a very small number of people knew of His birth and enjoyed the privilege of actually seeing Him. And think of those who did. Shepherds, perhaps some villagers in Bethlehem, and a little later, Magi from the east arrived bearing gifts.

When He returns, Jesus the Messiah, will come from heaven as He left earth some 2000 years ago, with the clouds. He will come in glory as the returning King, and EVERY EYE will see Him! I can't explain that. Although we are much closer to that possibility in this communications age than we were even 50 years ago, I cannot guess how. But somehow His coming will be such that all the world will be able to see Him coming!

Now, I'm not so sure about the next part: "they which pierced Him". I wonder, would this be the Jewish people as the descendants of those who cried "Crucify Him." Or would it be the Romans who actually carried out the deed. Or, could it be all those who have rejected Him. Honestly, I am not sure who these would be. But I think it would be safe to say that even those who have marginalized or mythologized or ignored Him will SEE Him coming! And not only will they see Him, but at the name of Jesus EVERY knee shall bow.

And when they do, how will they react? The next phrase also makes me pause and consider what it is actually saying. "All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." Wail there means to beat their chests. Some versions translate it as mourn. So, my question is, are they mourning Him in the sense that they are mourning over a loved one that was lost? Or, are they mourning His return as those that have worked so hard to do away with this stumbling block, this "petra skandalon" (rock of offense). Are they wailing because the very One whom they have rejected, mocked, and misrepresented is returning to bring truth, justice, and righteousness? That would probably be my guess.

But what is our response to all of this? "Even so, Amen." "Even so, come Lord Jesus!" Our hearts should overflow with joy at the thought of His return! To be united with Him in the flesh should be our ultimate dream. I think it is so wonderful to contemplate the return of the Lord! We love Him so much, and we feel His love and closeness. Yet, how much more wonderful will it be when He returns and our faith is made sight. We will not only see Him, but touch Him as well. I wonder what that will be like. Will we each need to wait in an interminable line for our turn to hear Him speak our name. Or, as in the movie "Joshua," will He be able to be with more than one person at a time?

I'm sure He will recognize us. Will we recognize Him? I mean, will He look like the many representations we have seen of Him? Will we be surprised at how we find Him? No matter! It will be such a wonderful meeting that we will surely think we've died and gone to heaven (pun intended - yes, I know it is a very silly pun).

Love,
Ev