Book of Revelation
When we share the message of Christ’s return in the book of Revelation “How Did Every Eye See Him?, Revelation 1:7. Often the conversation degenerates with snickers and sneers from detractors. Quite often the response is, “I haven’t seen him, did you see him?” The implied answer is no, of course. None living today saw Christ return in the clouds and therefore, it is assumed a ridiculous argument and proof that Christ’s coming remains a future event.
Such responses may gain the attention of the less serious bible student but have no value for those who are acquainted with reason and logic and the sacred text. Christ is unveiled in the Apocalypse in his glory. He is manifested as the Ancient of Days, a clear expression of his Divine nature. Crucified for his testimony that he would sit at the right hand of the Power (The Father) and come on the clouds of heaven, his testimony was regarded by the Caiaphas, the High Priest as blasphemy, (Matthew 26:64). However, that text is parallel to Revelation 1:7.
Comparing the Book of Revelation with Matthew 26:64
Christ told the High Priest that the latter would live to see him return upon the clouds. This means he would have to return in the lifetime of Caiaphas. In the same manner, not only would Caiaphas see him, reigning on the throne in the clouds, but many more would as well. In fact, all the land would mourn because of him. For those seeking to understand the passage, the language of the prophets, often expressed in figures, symbols and hyperbole, is essential. To take the language “every eye will see him,” literally, leads men into all sorts of ridiculous and fanciful interpretations which are not well thought out.
For example, imagine what it would take for every one to see a man at any one point on earth. Can someone in Japan, or Australia see a man riding in the clouds in America? That is a physical impossibility. An American living in California can’t see who’s in the clouds in Kansas or even in other parts of his own state. These ideas are not very well thought out.
Other’s recognizing the dilemma of the above offer the technological solution of satellites. Thanks to Dish and Direct, they expect to see the Lord beamed across satellite TV. Well, that still creates the issue for those who don’t have the technology.
Again, this shows how far and speculative interpretations can become. It is an example of what happens when Bible texts are not used to interpret other texts. Revelation 1:7, is a quote from two Old Testament passages, and alludes to several more. The phrase coming in clouds originates in Daniel 7:13-14. The idea of all the tribes of the the land mourning where all “see him,” is from Zechariah 12;12-14.
Tribes in the Book of Revelation and Zechariah 12:12-14
The tribes (phulas) are Jewish tribes, particularly of the southern kingdom and houses of David and Nathan, along with the Levitical priests. Every tribe among them would mourn and look upon Him whom they pierced. The text is not speaking of universal physical eyesight. When Christ quoted the elements of Revelation 1:7, in the Olivet discourse, (Matthew 24:30) he forever settled the issue of what manner and time, his coming in the clouds and the mourning of the tribes occurred. All those things would happen before the generation living in his day passed away, Matthew 24:34.
Matthew 24:30 is fulfilled in before the first century generation passes
Revelation 1:7 = Matthew 24:30
Therefore, Revelation 1:7 is fulfilled before the first century generation passes.
Now as to every eye literally seeing Christ, that’s also denied by Christ. He advised he would come in his kingdom. However, his kingdom is not visible to the natural eye. How, then can one see Christ come in an invisible kingdom? (Luke 17:20-24).
The kingdom does not come with observation (by the natural vision)
Christ comes in his kingdom
Therefore Christ does not come with observation (natural vision).
The only manner one can see that which he cannot see is by some other object, action or event which reveals it. Electrical current cannot be seen by the natural eye. But, evidence for electricity is all around us. Turn on the light switch or a kitchen appliance.
Likewise, Christ used an event to demonstrate he sat at God’s right hand. That event was the destruction of the Jewish temple and overthrow of the city of Jerusalem. In that event, every eye saw him and recognized he was on the throne and came in the clouds of heaven.
How Did Every Eye See Him, Revelation 1:7?
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