(KJV) Revelation 1:7 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.
Those who are still looking for Christ's Return or Futurists like to use Revelation 1:7 as a prooftext to prove that Christ has not returned yet since they have not seen him.
Just how literal should we take the phrase "EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM"? Animals have eyes so should we include them? A fly has five eyes: two large compound eyes and three smaller simple eyes on top of its head. The compound eyes are made up of thousands of individual lenses, allowing flies to have a wide field of vision. So will all the lenses of all the flies in the world see Jesus when he returns? I know that it sounds silly but the world is full of silly people and sometimes you have to be silly in order to get your point across.
The word "EVERY" and the word "ALL" is often translated from the same Greek word "PAS". Therefore, the phrase "EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM" could also be translated as "ALL EYES SHALL SEE HIM"
Word Summary: pas: all, every
Transliteration: pas
Phonetic Spelling: (pas)
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: all, every
Strong's Concordance: every, all manner of
Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole -- all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
PAS is USED 1,238 times in 1,071 verses in the New Testament.
In the KJV it is translated as ALL, ALL MANNER, EVERY, EVERY ONE, EVERY THING, WHOLE, WHOSEVER
Did you know that in the New Testament - "ALL" doesn't ALWAYS mean ALL and "EVERY" doesn't ALWAYS mean EVERY?
All scripture below is copied from the New King James Version unless noted otherwise.
3 PROBABLE EXAMPLES of when "ALL" DOESN'T REALLY MEAN ALL from the New Testament
1) Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and ALL Jerusalem with him.
In order to know what King Herod was troubled about we must look at the context of the previous verses... Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
King Herod was troubled about a NEW King because He was the King and he didn't want any competition! Read more of the context to find out what King Herod did in order to eliminate the competition.
Are we to believe that ALL Jerusalem was troubled by this? I would bet that ALL Jerusalem didn't even know about it!
Did King Herod get on TV, Radio or the Internet to announce his troubles so that ALL Jerusalem would know? I don't believe he did!
Evidently what we have here is what is called a "figure of speech". For example - "Yesterday, I went to Wal-Mart and I had to wait ALL day in the check-out line."
2) Matthew 3:5 Then Jerusalem, ALL Judea, and ALL the region around the Jordan went out to him Matthew 3:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Are we to believe that John the Baptist baptized ALL the people of Judea? I think you know the answer.
3) Matthew 4:24 Then His fame went throughout ALL Syria; and they brought to Him ALL sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
Are we to believe that Jesus Healed ALL the sick people of Syria? I don't think so but he probably did Heal ALL that were brought to him for healing.
There are many examples in the New Testament where "ALL" really doesn't mean all.
3 PROBABLE EXAMPLES of when "EVERY" DOESN'T REALLY MEAN EVERY from the BOOK of REVELATION
1) Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and EVERY bondman, and EVERY free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Are we to believe that EVERY MAN whether they were free or a slave hid themselves in the mountains? That sounds like Hyperbolic (HYPE) Language to me in order to emphasize how bad the Wrath of the Lamb was going to be.
2) Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and EVERY LIVING SOUL DIED in the sea.
EVERY LIVING SOUL DIED in the Sea? If that's true then there would be no men left to be scorched in Revelation 16:8 and none left to gnaw their tongues in Revelation 16:10... Revelation 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to SCORCH MEN WITH FIRE. Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and THEY GNAWED THEIR TONGUES FOR PAIN, Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
3) Revelation 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And EVERY SHIPMASTER, and ALL the company in ships, AND SAILORS, and AS MANY AS TRADE BY SEA, stood afar off, Revelation 18:18 And cried when they SAW THE SMOKE OF HER BURNING, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Are we to believe that EVERY SHIPMASTER and SAILOR and EVERYONE that TRADED via the Sea actually SAW THE SMOKE of Mystery Babylon as she Burned? Again, this sounds like Hyperbolic Language to me.
So let's grab our Bibles and put on our thinking caps and see if we can figure out what "EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM" in Revelation 1:7 could possibly mean.
How could "EVERY EYE" of "EVERY HUMAN" possibly SEE Jesus return at approximately the same time?
I can only think of one way that would be possible and that would be if Jesus returned at the End of the World or at the End of Time and EVERY EYE saw him at the Resurrection or shortly thereafter at the Great White Throne Judgment.
THAT'S WHAT MOST FUTURISTS BELIEVE IS GOING TO HAPPEN! And then you have the opposite EXTREME where you have some Full Preterists teaching that NO ONE SAW HIM!
However, in order to see if "EVERY" or the Greek Word "PAS" in Revelation 1:7 should be taken LITERALLY we must look at the context just like we did previously in the verses that used EVERY and ALL. Let's start with Revelation 1:1-3... Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, Revelation 1:2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of THIS PROPHECY, and keep those things which are written in it; for THE TIME IS NEAR.
From the context we have read thus far we can see that "THIS PROPHECY" was about "THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE" and that the angel said "THE TIME IS NEAR".
So how is it possible that the PROPHECY is in the Future or Unfulfilled? The only way it can be possible is IF Scripture is Wrong and if it is wrong then we should RIP Revelation right out of our Bibles!
I don't believe the scripture is Wrong so let's see what else we can find about the timeframe for the Book of Revelation... (YLT) Revelation 1:19 'Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME after these things; (Young's Literal Translation).
The Greek word MELLO is used in the original text and it means "TO BE ABOUT TO" or "FIXIN' TO" if you speak Southern.
Notice in verse 1:19 above that John was NOT TOLD to write about things that were hundreds or thousands of years in the future. He was told to write about the things that he saw in the PAST, PRESENT and NEAR FUTURE.
The first thing the Futurist SCOFFERS usually say when I show them what the scriptures say about the timeframe for the Book of Revelation is that "such and such hasn't happened yet so you are wrong".
Continuing with the timeframe for Revelation... Jesus said that He was Coming Quickly 4 times in the Book of Revelation including 3 times in the last chapter. Also in the last chapter the phrase that is in the 1st verse of Revelation - "TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE" is repeated... Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE.
You can NOT find a verse in the Book of Revelation that indicates that any of the Prophecy is to be Fulfilled Hundreds or Thousands of Years in the Future. However, there are some things that continue FOREVER so they will never finish. For example, there's the EVERLASTING GOSPEL - Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. This is evidence that there's NO END of the WORLD or END of TIME! If the World Ended the Preaching of the Gospel would End and therefore it's PREACHING would not be EVERLASTING. There's NO NEED for the Gospel to be Preached in Heaven is there?
Another thing that continues FOREVER is the Reign of the Saints in Heaven... Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. Revelation 22:4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. Revelation 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And THEY SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER.
This is evidence that the 1,000 Year Reign of Christ and those who were Martyred is NOT a Literal 1,000 Years since their Reign lasts FOREVER... Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.
For More Information on the timeframe for the Book of Revelation please read my article: TIME RESTRICTIONS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Thus far I have shown that scripture proves that NOT every eye of everyone who has ever lived will see Christ Coming with the Clouds since it was IN THE PAST if the scriptures are correct and I believe they are. So let's look at the scriptures and figure out WHO was supposed to see Him Coming with the Clouds. Let's look at Revelation 1:7 again using the New King James Version:
Revelation 1:7 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.
We see that the verse states that "THEY WHO PIERCED HIM" would see Him. It was actually a Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side and it was probably Roman soldiers who pierced His hands and feet when they nailed Him to the cross... John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
However, it was the Jews who were responsible for His Death. On the Day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:22-23 "MEN OF ISRAEL, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, YOU HAVE TAKEN BY LAWLESS HANDS, HAVE CRUCIFIED, AND PUT TO DEATH;"
Jesus told Caiaphas, the high priest, "YOU WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."... Matthew 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter YOU WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN." According to Wikipedia Caiaphas died in AD 46: CAIAPHAS
If Caiaphas died in AD 46 then the only way that he could have seen Jesus Coming on the Clouds was during the Resurrection.
Also, in Revelation 1:7 we see that "ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH" would mourn because of Him. I'm sure that "ALL THE TRIBES" refers to the tribes of Israel. Even though the word "ALL" is used it does NOT include the Indian tribes of North America.
The Coming of Christ with Clouds in Revelation 1:7 is the same Coming of Christ on the Clouds AFTER the Tribulation in Matthew 24:30. The Mourning Tribes are also the same in both verses... Matthew 24:29 "Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:30 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 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
So we see in Matthew 24:30 that the TRIBES OF THE EARTH would See Him and Jesus Revealed WHEN they would see him in Matthew 24:34... "Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION will by no means pass away till all these things take place." Christ's Coming was supposed to occur within THAT GENERATION! The Gospel of Luke also mentions "THIS GENERATION"... Luke 17:25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by THIS GENERATION. There should be no doubt about what GENERATION rejected the Messiah!
The words "TRIBES" in Matthew 24:30 and "KINDREDS" used in the KJV in Revelation 1:7 are translated from the Greek word "PHYLE".
Word Summary: phyle - a clan or tribe
Transliteration: phyle
Phonetic Spelling: (foo-lay')
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: a clan or tribe
Strong's Concordance: kindred, tribe.
From phuo (compare phullon); an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan -- kindred, tribe.
The word "EARTH" used in both verses is translated from the Greek word "GE". It does NOT always mean the entire planet. It can mean COUNTRY or LAND.
Word Summary: ge - the earth, land
Transliteration: ge
Phonetic Spelling: (ghay)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: the earth, land
Strong's Concordance: country, ground, land, world.
Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application) -- country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
The Coming of Christ of Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 24:30 are the SAME Coming of Christ as Luke 21:27... "Then THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory." Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and lift up your heads, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR."
Why would Jesus tell His Disciples to "LOOK UP" if NO ONE was going to be able to SEE HIM? Was He a practical joker and just wanted everyone to get a crick in their neck?
Earlier in Luke 21 Jesus said "THERE WILL BE FEARFUL SIGHTS AND GREAT SIGNS FROM HEAVEN"... Luke 21:11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and THERE WILL BE FEARFUL SIGHTS AND GREAT SIGNS FROM HEAVEN. Luke 21:12 BUT BEFORE ALL THESE THINGS, THEY WILL LAY THEIR HANDS ON YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, DELIVERING YOU UP TO THE SYNAGOGUES AND PRISONS. YOU WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE KINGS AND RULERS FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.
Did the FEARFUL SIGHTS AND GREAT SIGNS FROM HEAVEN in Luke 21:11 occur AFTER the GREAT PERSECUTION of the SAINTS but BEFORE the JEWISH-ROMAN WAR?
Read what the Jewish Historian JOSEPHUS wrote in Book 6, Chapter 5, Paragraph 3 in the WARS OF THE JEWS...
..."while they did not attend nor give credit to the signs that were so evident, and did so plainly foretell their future desolation, but, like men infatuated, without either eyes to see or minds to consider, did not regard the denunciations that God made to them.
1) Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year.
2) Thus also before the Jews’ rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus, [Nisan,] and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it.
8th of Nisan, 3826 = Sat, 20 March 0066
3) At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple.
4) Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner [court of the] temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night. Now those that kept watch in the temple came hereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it; who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty was able to shut the gate again. This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of their enemies. So these publicly declared that the signal foreshowed the desolation that was coming upon them.
5) Besides these, a few days after that feast, on the one and twentieth day of the month Artemisius, [Jyar,] a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared: I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities.
21st of Iyyar, 3826 = Sun, 2 May 0066
Some see this event as being when EVERY EYE SAW HIM. The scripture doesn't say that they would know what they were seeing though does it?
6) Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the temple,] as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, "Let us remove hence."
Some claim that this event is when the Resurrection and Rapture occurred but I believe the scripture teaches that those occur at the END of the PAROUSIA and NOT at the Beginning.
The word "REDEMPTION" in Luke 21:28 is translated from the Greek word APOLYTROSIS.
Word Summary: apolytrosis: a release effected by payment of ransom
Transliteration: apolytrosis
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: a release effected by payment of ransom
Strong's Concordance: DELIVERANCE, redemption.
From a compound of apo and lutron; (the act) ransom in full, i.e. (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) Christian salvation -- deliverance, redemption.
According to Strong's APOLYTROSIS can be translated as DELIVERANCE. Since Christ was talking to His Disciples before His Crucifixion & Resurrection, the Disciples would not have yet received the Forgiveness of Sins or Salvation under the New Covenant.
However, by the time that Paul wrote Galatians and Peter wrote 1 Peter the Believers had been REDEEMED from the CURSE of the LAW - WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST... Galatians 3:13 CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"),
1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality JUDGES ACCORDING TO EACH ONE'S WORK, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 1 Peter 1:18 knowing that YOU WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 1 Peter 1:19 but WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
The Coming of Christ of Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 24:30 and Luke 21:27 are the SAME Coming of Christ as Matthew 16:27-28... "For the Son of Man will COME in the glory of His Father WITH HIS ANGELS, and THEN HE WILL REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO SHALL NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM."
What does COMING IN HIS KINGDOM mean?
The English word "in" is translated from the Greek word "en" which can also be translated as "with".
Word Summary: en: in, on, at, by, WITH
Transliteration: en
Phonetic Spelling: (en)
Part of Speech: Preposition
Meaning: in, on, at, by, with
Strong's Concordance: about, after, as.
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. A relation of rest (intermediate between eis and ek); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. -- about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... Sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Perhaps the word "with" would be a better translation in this verse. It reads true to me...
Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming WITH His kingdom."
Can I use another scripture to justify the change? Answer: YES I CAN!
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL HIS SAINTS.
The Kingdom includes Believers (SAINTS) and a King (JESUS) and the Father and the Heavenly Beings.
Jesus said that SOME of those to whom He was speaking would still be alive when he came with or in His kingdom.
So either Christ came when he said he was going to or He LIED or some of those He was talking to are STILL ALIVE! Which one do you believe?
Scripture Reveals WHEN Christ would "REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS"...
1) For the JUST - They would be at REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION... Luke 14:13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. Luke 14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for YOU SHALL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST." The Apostle Paul was expecting to receive the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS at Christ's APPEARING... 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His APPEARING.
2) For the LIVING JUDEANS who KILLED & PERSECUTED CHRIST and His CHURCH - They would be REPAID during the DAY OF THE LORD which resulted in the DESTRUCTION of their Temple, the City of Jerusalem (Mystery Babylon) and their Country (Judea) in the Jewish-Roman War.
For Proof that Mystery Babylon is the Old Covenant Jerusalem of the 1st Century - Please Read my article: WHO IS MYSTERY BABYLON IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
3) For the DEAD - it was at the Great White Throne Judgment... Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a GREAT WHITE THRONE and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And THE DEAD WERE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And THEY WERE JUDGED, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
I don't think that I have to convince anyone that the Great White Throne Judgment was After the Resurrection. I believe EVERY EYE will see Jesus but it will not be at the same time. Everyone must stand before the judgment seat of Christ... Romans 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? FOR WE SHALL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.
AND... 2 Corinthians 5:10 FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Other than the TRIBES of Israel, who else was supposed to see Jesus at his 2nd Coming?
Answer #1: All of those who were EAGERLY WAITING for his APPEARING... Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. TO THOSE WHO EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIM HE WILL APPEAR A SECOND TIME, APART FROM SIN, FOR SALVATION.
The word "APPEAR" is translated from the Greek word OPTANOMAI.
The SALVATION that is mentioned in Hebrews 9:28 is NOT about the forgiveness of sins just as the verse states. The Believers had already received forgiveness... Ephesians 1:7 In Him WE HAVE redemption through His blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of His grace AND Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:14 in whom WE HAVE redemption through His blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
The word "SALVATION" is translated from the Greek word SOTERIA and it also means DELIVERANCE which would have been a better word to use here.
Word Summary: soteria: deliverance, salvation
Transliteration: soteria
Phonetic Spelling: (so-tay-ree'-ah)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: deliverance, salvation
Strong's Concordance: deliver, save
Feminine of a derivative of soter as (properly, abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally) -- deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
The Kingdom Bible translates SOTERIA as DELIVERANCE: (TKB) Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, being offered once to bear the sins of many; and to those who are looking for Him, He will be seen out from the second time, apart from sin for DELIVERANCE.
The word SALVATION (SOTERIA) should also have been translated as DELIVERANCE in Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our SALVATION is nearer than when we first believed.
They were already Believers but they were about to be SAVED or DELIVERED from this Sinful World to Heaven. The Kingdom Bible translates it correctly again... (TKB) Romans 13:11 So that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our DELIVERANCE closer than when we believed.
What is the SALVATION or DELIVERANCE in Hebrews 9:28 about? I can SEE it but unfortunately many people who have a MENTAL BLOCK can't see it because of their interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD will by no means precede those who are asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 THEN WE WHO ARE ALIVE and remain shall be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD in the air. And thus WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.
This is the Same MYSTERY that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I tell you a MYSTERY: WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, but we shall all be changed— 1 Corinthians 15:52 IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
Paul said that Jesus Christ would come with ALL HIS SAINTS... 1 Thessalonians 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL HIS SAINTS.
Paul said that the MYSTERY was that He (Christ) would "GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, BOTH WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH—IN HIM"... Ephesians 1:7 IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:9 having made KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, Ephesians 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, BOTH WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH—IN HIM.
Question: How could Believers from both Heaven and Earth be Gathered Together if the Believers on Earth were LEFT BEHIND? There's no evidence that they were gathered together on earth.
Paul said that WE (He and the Saints in Ephesus) had "AN INHERITANCE" and they "WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE" who was "THE GUARANTEE OF OUR (their) INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION"... Ephesians 1:11 IN HIM ALSO WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, Ephesians 1:14 WHO IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, to the praise of His glory.
THEY (the Believers) were the "PURCHASED POSSESSION" waiting to be REDEEMED... 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS IN YOU, whom you have from God, and YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN? 1 Corinthians 6:20 For YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, WHICH ARE GOD'S.
The writer of Hebrews mentions "THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME" in the Next Verse... (LEB) Hebrews 10:1 For the law, possessing a shadow of THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME, not the form of things itself, is never able year by year by means of the same sacrifices which they offer without interruption to make perfect those who draw near (Lexham English Bible).
The Greek word MELLO is used in the original text and it means "TO BE ABOUT TO" or "FIXIN' TO" if you speak Southern.
The Kingdom Bible also translates the verse correctly: (TKB) Hebrews 10:1 For the Law having a shadow of GOOD THINGS ABOUT TO COME, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers complete.
What were the GOOD THINGS that were ABOUT TO COME? Answer: Read on and Find Out!
Answer #2: (SAME as #1) All of those who were EAGERLY WAITING for the REVELATION of our Lord Jesus Christ... 1 Corinthians 1:7 so that you come short in no gift, EAGERLY WAITING for the REVELATION of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(KJV) 1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the COMING of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The words "REVELATION" in the NKJV and "COMING" in the KJV are translated from the Greek word APOKALYPSIS.
Word Summary: apokalypsis: an uncovering
Transliteration: apokalypsis
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: an uncovering
Strong's Concordance: appearing, coming, manifestation, revelation.
From apokalupto; disclosure -- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
The people who were supposed to SEE JESUS, SAW HIM and NOW they REIGN with Him FOREVER!
The Righteous & Unrighteous who were Resurrected and those who were caught up to meet them and the LORD in the Clouds SAW HIM!
Therefore, those who teach that NO ONE saw Christ during his 2nd Coming teach FALSELY!
The writer of Hebrews said in verses 10:23-25... "Let us hold fast the confession of OUR HOPE without wavering, for He who PROMISED is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you SEE THE DAY APPROACHING."
So there was a DAY APPROACHING and the Hebrews were HOPING for something that was PROMISED to them. What could it be?
I believe I have found the answer... Hebrews 10:34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that YOU HAVE A BETTER AND AN ENDURING POSSESSION FOR YOURSELVES IN HEAVEN. Hebrews 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has GREAT REWARD. Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, YOU MAY RECEIVE THE PROMISE: Hebrews 10:37 "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY."
HOOT! THERE IT IS! The PROMISE they were waiting for was "AN ENDURING POSSESSION IN HEAVEN" and "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY."
It was the SAME PROMISE that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were waiting for... Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; Hebrews 11:10 FOR HE WAITED FOR THE CITY WHICH HAS FOUNDATIONS, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD.
They DIED without receiving the PROMISE... Hebrews 11:13 THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
What was that PROMISE again? Answer: The Promise of a HEAVENLY COUNTRY (NO, it's NOT America or anywhere on planet earth)... Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, A HEAVENLY COUNTRY. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for HE HAS PREPARED A CITY FOR THEM. Could it be the New Jerusalem?
Keep reading Hebrews to learn about other old testament saints who died without receiving the PROMISE... Hebrews 11:39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROMISE,
The writer of Hebrews states that "THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT APART FROM US"... Hebrews 11:40 God having provided something better for us, that THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT APART FROM US.
I have got some news for you... No one is MADE PERFECT this side of Heaven. I see the evidence of it EVERY Day when I look in the mirror!
"BUT WAIT!" says those with a MENTAL BLOCK - "those Believers who were ALIVE at Christ's 2nd Coming were LEFT BEHIND!"
It's just another False Teaching by many Preterists! Let the Word of GOD be TRUE and Every Man a LIAR!
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
No, I'm not talking about real estate. The phrase "CAUGHT UP" is used 4 times in the KJV and NKJV of the New Testament. EVERY TIME it is used there is a CHANGE OF LOCATION and the Destination is ALWAYS the Same...
1) 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was CAUGHT UP to the third HEAVEN.
2) 2 Corinthians 12:4 how he was CAUGHT UP into PARADISE and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
3) Revelation 12:5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was CAUGHT UP TO GOD and His throne.
4) 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.
I don't know why people can't SEE the ELEPHANT in the ROOM... They Must Have a MENTAL BLOCK!
Remember when Jesus told his Disciples that he would come for them but they would all be DEAD?
I don't remember it that way either! - John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF; that where I am, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO.
Do I need to tell you WHERE Jesus prepared a place for His Disciples? I didn't think so.
Where is Christ's Throne? Is it in Heaven or on Earth?
Answer: Jesus is on His Throne in Heaven with the Father on His Throne and THEY REIGN OVER the EARTH with the SAINTS!... (TKB) Revelation 5:9 So they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; Revelation 5:10 and have made us to our God, a kingdom and priests; and WE WILL BE REIGNING OVER THE EARTH. (The Kingdom Bible)
If you think Jesus came back down to earth after the Great White Throne Judgment then show me your evidence from scripture.
The DELIVERANCE came at the END of the Mosaic Age when Jesus DELIVERED the Believers (Kingdom) to HEAVEN... 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, WHEN HE DELIVERS THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope that it was beneficial to you.
Full Preterism is the belief that all prophecy has been fulfilled.
I first heard of it 20 years ago but refused to look at it because it was so different than any thing I had heard before.
I invite you to take a serious look at it and you will understand the Bible better than you ever have!
Some scriptures are hard to understand and people have different opinions about their meanings. This is true for Dispensationalists, Amillenialists, Post Millenialists as well as for Full Preterists. Keep that in mind when you do your research. Here's a good place to start your research: