After the tribulation the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shed its light; the stars of heaven will fall to the earth as a fig tree drops its ripe figs when shaken by a mighty wind. The celestial powers will be shaken. The sky will be like a scroll being rolled up. After the tribulation, “They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power” (Mark 13:27).
When Jesus described His return, I wonder if His disciples were reminded of what Daniel had seen in the night visions? In the night visions Daniel had seen thrones set in place. “The Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was a flaming fire. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The courts convened, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9,10).
Was the “abomination that causes desolation” that Jesus had warned about in Daniel’s vision? Yes, he was there speaking arrogant words until God dealt with him. Jesus described the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. In the night vision this is what Daniel saw, “And I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).
Jesus, who is the Son of Man, tells what happens next: “He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky” (Mark 13:27). The disciples had wanted to know what to expect, and Jesus had told them. There will be birth pains because there will be a birth--the birth of the Kingdom of God. There will be a great tribulation, but after the tribulation the Son of Man will return in the clouds. The King of kings and the Lord of lords will at last set up His Heavenly Kingdom.
We are all part of this story. We are either those who will be gathered by His angels and who share in His Kingdom, or we are those who joined the rebellion against His rule. How do you become part of His Kingdom? Jesus Himself told us how, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirt is spirit” (John 3:5-6).
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