Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 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. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Much is said concerning the divine promise of the second coming of the Son of God. His coming is made in reference with clouds many times. God came down on Mount Sinai in a cloud of thunder and lightning. The people were so afraid they wouldn’t touch the mountain. He came to Abraham and engulfed him by a dark cloud as he communed with him. When Jesus was incarnated in Mary’s womb, the Bible says the Holy Ghost overshadowed her like a cloud. When Jesus was baptized, the voice of God spoke through the cloud and said “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” When Jesus was transfigured on Mount Hermon, a cloud was present. When Jesus ascended back to heaven the angels said “ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” The Bible says a cloud received him out of their sight.” With the cloud was the presence of the Father. Here John is talking about the next appearance of the Lord, and he says “behold, he cometh with clouds.” The coming of Jesus is soon, right at the door. He’s coming in and through the clouds for everyone who is ready to meet him.
Consider the eminent return of Christ and the effect it will have on you. Will your response be joyful at the thrill and relief of seeing the Lord? Can you say as the end of verse 7 does “even so, Amen?” You can if you’re sins have been washed as John writes in verse 5. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior and embraced him with your life, you can be ready to meet the Lord when he returns. You have to be ready. There won’t be time to get ready when you see him. If you’re pretending to me ready or hoping to be ready, it’s time to do something now.
Verse 7 begins with the word “behold.” In other words LOOK and PAY ATTENTION. Two thousand years have passed, but it’s still true. Jesus is coming again. It’s still a reality. John saw it in the future. When it happens, how will you react? We’re living in a time of insecurity and uncertainty. Governments all over the world are crazy and out of control. Families are out of control. The coming of Jesus is near, and the devil knows it. That’s why John said we need to pay attention. We need to get our eyes on Jesus. Is there anything left to happen before his return? The gospel is being preached to all nations. The Bible says then the end will come. Look up. John used present tense words. Jesus is waiting on the Father to give the word.
Are you preparing your heart and life for him? Every eye will see him. Don’t think you’ll have time to get ready when you see him. Verse 7 says “all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” Hell itself will witness and wail. Revelation 6 says people will cry and run to the mountains to hide. For the saved, this cloud will be a bright one. For the unsaved, it will be a dark cloud of judgment.
When he comes, your cloud will be with him. What will it be? Now is the time to look to him as Savior—while you still can.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 