First Week of Advent
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7 ESV
Jesus is Coming! We rejoice and the world laughs. Sure thing! They mock, they say that everything continues as it has been from the beginning of creation (cf. 2 Peter 3:3). Well, won’t they be surprised? When Jesus comes again, it won’t be a secret. There is no “rapture” like some claim. When Jesus departed this earth at His glorious ascension, the disciples watched him ascend until he was hidden from their sight by a cloud. Then suddenly a pair of messengers stood by them and explained that the same Jesus would return the same way.
When Jesus returns everyone will see Him. Isn’t that plain from this Scripture? He who once was hidden from sight by a cloud will come on the clouds of heaven. He whose departure was announced by angels will be accompanied by a host of angels when He returns. Everyone is going to see Him, even those who participated in His crucifixion. They will have been raised again to see the King of Glory come on His way. We will be there to lift up our heads and our eyes to meet Him! While the world will wail because they despised the gift God offered them during their time of grace, we will rejoice. If there are any tears, they will be tears of joy.
We have work to do until that day. People need to know why He came and what He has done for us all. They need to hear His Word and so do we. Then we will be prepared for the celebration that is coming.
Jesus comes on clouds triumphant When the heavens shall pass away;
Jesus comes again in glory. Let us, then, our homage pay,
Alleluia! Ever singing till the dawn of endless day.
The Lutheran Hymnal 56:5