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NASB | Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. |
Bible Question: While talking to His disiples about His return he states that the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. He then says that the SIGN of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. I have heard tell that this sign is His shakina (sp?) glory. Is this the general concensus? Can anyone elaborate more on this? |
Bible Answer: Three days before Jesus was put to death, his disciples asked him: "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt 24:3 ) Then, in replying, at Matthew 24:30, Jesus says: "And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Thus, there is the "sign of your (Jesus) presence" and the "sign... of the Son of man coming on the clouds". Hence, there is a difference between these. Some Bibles use the word "coming" at Matthew 24:3. However, the Greek word used there is pa·rou·si´a, meaning "presence", not er´kho·mai, which is a common verb for "come". Therefore, during Jesus pa·rou·si´a or "presence", there are several features Jesus gave to identify his invisible "presence", such as "nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." (Matt 24:7,8 ) This would extend over a period of time. However, Jesus further said that "For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together." (Matt 24:27,28 ) Thus, those who have spiritually keen "eyesight", like eagles, are able to discern Jesus invisible "presence". Yet, during Jesus' "presence and of the conclusion of the system of things", but just preceeding Jesus' "coming", that the "sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken."(Matt 24:29 ) The description Jesus gave certainly is closely related to Joel 2:29-31. Here, Joel sees "portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." This "fear-inspiring day of Jehovah" came in 70 C.E., when the Roman armies came against Jerusalem, under the command of General Titus. Likewise, when the "great tribulation" begins, prior to the events mentioned at Matthew 24:29, the militarized “horns” of the international “wild beast” turn on “the great harlot,” Babylon the Great. (Revelation 17:1, 10-16) But many people will remain, for kings, merchants, ship captains, and others mourn the end of false religion. Doubtless many will realize that their judgment will be next.(Revelation 18:9-19.) Doubtless, in the early part of the great tribulation, many luminaries—prominent clergymen of the religious world—will have been exposed and eliminated by “the ten horns” mentioned at Revelation 17:16. No doubt political powers too will have been shaken up. Could there also be frightening events in the physical heavens? We know that in the ancient past, God displayed his power to cause such cataclysmic effects, and he can do so again.—Exodus 10:21-23; Joshua 10:12-14; Judges 5:20; Luke 23:44, 45. At this point all three Gospel writers use to´te (then) to introduce the next development. “Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven.” (Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27) Jesus’ true disciples have discerned the composite sign of his invisible presence, like "eagles", while most people have not recognized it.(Matt 24:39 ) But Matthew 24:30 points forward to a further “sign” appearing in the future, that of “the Son of man,” and all nations will be compelled to take note. When Jesus comes with clouds of invisibility, opposing humans worldwide will have to recognize that “coming” (Greek, er·kho´me·non) because of a supernatural demonstration of his kingly power.(Revelation 1:7) Matthew 24:30 uses to´te again to introduce what comes next. Then the nations, sensing the consequence of their situation, will beat themselves and lament, perhaps recognizing that their destruction is imminent. How different with God’s servants, for we will be able to lift our heads up, knowing deliverance is near! (Luke 21:28) |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 24:27 | Author | ||
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jg8ball | ||
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prayon | ||
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Lifer1J511 | ||
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Jehonadab | ||
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kalos | ||
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prayon | ||
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Chusarcik | ||
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Angelw/horns | ||
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Loran James |