Bible: Every eye will see Jesus coming on the clouds.
Watchtower: Every eye won't see Jesus coming on the clouds.
What is meant by his âcoming on the cloudsâ and âevery eye seeing himâ?
Rev. 1:7: âLook! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.â (Also Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27)
What is indicated by âcloudsâ? Invisibility. When an airplane is in a thick cloud or above the clouds, people on the ground usually cannot see it, although they may hear the roar of the engines. Jehovah told Moses: âI am coming to you in a dark cloud.â Moses did not see God, but that cloud indicated Jehovahâs invisible presence. (Ex. 19:9; see also Leviticus 16:2;Numbers 11:25.) If Christ were to appear visibly in the heavens, it is obvious that not âevery eyeâ would see him. If he appeared over Australia, for example, he would not be visible in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, would he?
In what sense will âevery eye see himâ? They will discern from events on earth that he is invisibly present. Also referring to sight that is not physical, John 9:41 reports: âJesus said to [the Pharisees]: âIf you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, âWe see.â Your sin remains.ââ (Compare Romans 1:20.) Following Christâs return, some persons show faith; they recognize the sign of his presence. Others reject the evidence, but when Christ goes into action as Godâs executioner of the wicked, even they will discern from the manifestation of his power that the destruction is not from men but from heaven. They will know what is happening because they were warned in advance. Because of what is overtaking them, they will âbeat themselves in grief
New Living Translation Matthew 24:30
And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
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