March 16: THE FIRST VISION
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7
This is the first vision that John sees. The return of Jesus is the central theme of the book of Revelation. All else in the book moves toward His literal and personal return. This event signifies the end of this world’s history and the beginning of the eternal kingdom. Everyone alive on the earth will be an eyewitness, both the righteous and the wicked. Also, the righteous who have died will be raised on this Day.
The phrase even they who pierced Him seems to indicate a special resurrection for the unrepentant who actively participated in the execution of the Savior. This group could be even larger, based on Jesus’ sentiments that those who attack His church are personally attacking Him (see Acts 9:1-5). But the general resurrection of the wicked occurs a thousand years later (see Revelation 20:5a).
It is possible that there will be some who participated in killing Him who will be among the righteous raised on that Day. These would be the ones who later realized the horror of their actions, responded to the gospel with repentance, and are forgiven and transformed. Otherwise, the prayer of Jesus on the cross would have been to no avail: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34). All of us have sins committed in ignorance. See Acts 17:30, Romans 3:25, Titus 2:11-14, and Hebrews 9:7 for further study.
The return of Jesus to claim His bride is a Day of indescribable joy for the redeemed! The sight of Him for the remnant still alive, along with all of those who have fallen asleep in Christ (1 Peter 1:5), is the scene of a glorious reunion and a victory parade toward heaven.
The return of Jesus will cause people from all the tribes of the earth to mourn because of Him. John sees people all over the world sink into mourning at the sight of Jesus. Usually mourning comes with the death of a loved one, but on this Day, it will be about their own imminent deaths. The great clarity with which they will understand their own end will bring to mind the missed opportunities to receive Jesus as Lord. Repeated rejections had hardened their hearts and deafened their ears to His gentle voice.
Today’s brief opening verse reflects upon many previous teachings* in the word of God. Jesus often spoke of His return to His listeners.
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30
*Daniel 7:13; 12:2; Zechariah 12:10-14; Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9-11