As our exploration of the second coming of Christ and the Judgment of Jerusalem in 70 AD unfolds, we arrive at a pivotal moment in Jesus’ teachings when he discloses to the disciples the sign of his return. This episode is titled, *Jesus is Coming in The Clouds. Did Israel witness Jesus in the clouds?
Perhaps you’ve heard about the return of Jesus, or maybe it’s a concept that has yet to cross your path. The significance of Jesus’ return holds meaning for us, especially those not born into Jewish families, because the Gospel has been preached to all nations since the first century. Without Jesus instructing his disciples to share the Good News globally, our understanding of his first and second comings would be limited. To the first-century Jew, the anticipation was centered around a singular appearance of their Messiah, and the notion of a second coming wasn’t part of their expectations. When questioning Jesus about the destruction of the temple and the signs of his ‘Parousia’ (coming) in the early verses of Matthew 24, the disciples perceived this as the fulfillment of their covenant with God.
In their anticipation of the Messiah, the Jews envisioned a king who would restore Israel, Jerusalem, and the temple. The resurrection of the dead, rewards and punishments, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth where Israel and the Jewish people would reign as the chosen elect of God were integral to their expectations. The idea of a second coming wasn’t part of their narrative. However, Jesus disrupts their expectations by foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in Matthew 24:29.
This revelation contradicted everything they knew about the Messiah’s coming. Their beliefs, religion, politics, economy, society, and their identity as God’s chosen people—all would be wiped out. To them, this was unfathomable. How did people with such profound experiences with God get it so wrong? The answer lies in their shift from looking up to God for a heavenly redeemer to looking down for an earthly emancipator.
Jesus details the events that will follow the heavens shaking in Matthew 24:30-31. When no earthly emancipator arrives to save them from Roman destruction, they will look up and realize that Jesus was the hope of salvation for Israel, and they killed their hope.
God had given Daniel a vision of the redeemer of Israel in Daniel 7:13-14. This prophecy was significant to the Jews, and every Jew recognized it as the prophecy of the Messiah’s coming.
In the aftermath of this discussion, Matthew records an exchange between Jesus and the high priest Caiaphas in Matthew 26:59-68. The high priest, torn robes symbolizing horror and anguish, considered Jesus’ words blasphemous. The high priest perceived this as blasphemy, as Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and, in the future, would be exalted to the right hand of God. This challenged the established religious order, directly threatening their authority.
In John 11:49-52, Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation and bring together the dispersed children of God. The Sanhedrin’s fear of losing control over the people led them to conspire to kill Jesus. Yet, God turned their evil intentions into good, as Jesus’ death became a sacrifice for the sins of not only Jews but all who believed in him.
In Matthew 24:31, Jesus promises a great victory. This victory transcends earthly destruction. The messengers of Jesus continue to gather the elect from all corners of the earth, a process ongoing until the day the Lord descends from heaven with a shout.
The disciples witnessed the fulfillment of Daniel 7:13-14 as Jesus ascended into heaven on a cloud in Acts 1:9 and Mark 16:19. Rather than an earthly return, Jesus was brought into the presence of the Almighty, receiving the kingdom of God.
Where are you seeking help today? In a world decaying and destroying itself, are you looking up to heaven, where Jesus sits at the right hand of God, possessing the power and authority bestowed upon him by the Father? The Jews anticipated their king’s descent on the clouds, but Jesus ascended into heaven on a cloud and was presented in the presence of the Almighty, receiving the kingdom of God. Through the desolation of Judea, some Jews saw the power and authority of Jesus and believed in him. At the same time, the majority failed to recognize him as their awaited king and faced destruction.
The key takeaway is that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, wielding all power and authority to rule the earth at this very moment. The Mosaic covenant has been fulfilled by Christ, and the Gospel of the New Covenant is being proclaimed “with a loud trumpet” call. The messengers of Jesus gather the elect—those who believe in him—from all corners of the earth, a mission continuing today and every day until the Lord descends from heaven with a shout.
