The Sign of the Son of Man

January 11, 2022

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 24:30).

A ‘sign’ (semeion) is ‘an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally - a miracle, token, wonder’. The text tells us that the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven. Truly mysterious - or is it? Scripture has not left us without some explanation.

(Matthew 16:1-4) Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed. Here Jesus uses the term ‘sign’ in a natural and a miraculous way. By looking at the sky the people were able to guesstimate the forecast for the next day. Not a 100% fool-proof method, but a natural and fairly practical one none-the-less. The ‘sign of Jonah’ is given as a miraculous indication of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

What about the sign of the Son of Man appearing in heaven? Numerous theories have been suggested. One is that there will be something like the cross in the sky. Another has said the fulfillment of prophesies will be the sign. However, Jesus states some observable indication or wonder will appear. Daniel 7:13 answers the question, I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! What is the sign of His appearing? He is the sign that the age has come to an end and a new age, the Millennial Age, will have come. This is consistent with 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.

When the horrific Tribulation is concluded, a greater terror will come - the great and terrible Day of the Lord. On that day Jesus Christ will come and purge the earth of sinful men and establish His Kingdom of righteousness on the earth for 1,000 years. The Apostle Paul wrote (Romans 8:19-22), For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. When Jesus comes again, He will reclaim His creation by purging it from the power of Satan, sin, and the curse of sin. During the Millennial Kingdom, the earth and the universe will be restored as it was in Eden. What a glorious time that will be! Thank You Lord Jesus, Amen.

Pastor

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