Jesus will come back the same way he left?

[claninja]

The angel tells the disciples Jesus will come back the same way he went into heaven.

How did Jesus go INTO heaven? Hidden by a cloud

How will Jesus come back? Hidden by a cloud.

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Where do we meet Christ when he returns? in the clouds

1 thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord

 

[Call me Nic]

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.."

 

[Chinchilla]

The angel tells the disciples Jesus will come back the same way he went into heaven.

How did Jesus go INTO heaven? Hidden by a cloud

How will Jesus come back? Hidden by a cloud.

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Where do we meet Christ when he returns? in the clouds

1 thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord

He comes twice

 

[claninja]

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.."

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.."

Caiaphas saw Jesus coming on the clouds

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:64 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew 26:64&version=ESV

 

[Hillsage]

The angel tells the disciples Jesus will come back the same way he went into heaven.

How did Jesus go INTO heaven? Hidden by a cloud

How will Jesus come back? Hidden by a cloud.

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Where do we meet Christ when he returns? in the clouds

1 thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord

It's been said that scripture can be interpreted literally, symbolically and spiritually. Is it possible that "the cloud" was not some 'literal' physical cloud, but Jesus and a "cloud of witnesses" which scripture also speaks of?

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

And in the context of your posted Acts 1;9 verse could not the two of the witnesses of that many membered cloud, have then remained to give the message of verse 11?

And as far as 1Thess 4 is concerned, just who is the "them" that is mentioned?

1TH 4:17 then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Just some thoughts on a non essential issue.

 

[dreadnought]

The angel tells the disciples Jesus will come back the same way he went into heaven.

How did Jesus go INTO heaven? Hidden by a cloud

How will Jesus come back? Hidden by a cloud.

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Where do we meet Christ when he returns? in the clouds

1 thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord

I think people miss the fact that Jesus is already here - in our hearts. He guides us, if we listen to him.

 

[KingdomLeast]

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.."

And how exactly does "every eye see him"?

 

[KingdomLeast]

I think people miss the fact that Jesus is already here - in our hearts. He guides us, if we listen to him.

Jesus said, …In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”… John 14:2-3

 

[Call me Nic]

And how exactly does "every eye see him"?

My answer would be controversial and derail the thread. For now I think it suffices the question to say: because thus it is written, and thus it must be fulfilled.

 

[claninja]

My answer would be controversial and derail the thread. For now I think it suffices the question to say: because thus it is written, and thus it must be fulfilled.

Revelation 1:7, which is basically a restatement of Matthew 24:30, which is quoting from Zechariah 12:10, which is specifically about Israel.

Revelation 1:7
Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on the land “will mourn because of him.”

Matthew 24:30 Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the tribes of the land will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

Zechariah 12:10-12 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirita of grace and supplication. They will look onb me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the rest of the clans and their wives.

Due to Matthew 24:34 (Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.), it appears Matthew 24:30 is fulfilled in the 1st century, thus revelation 1:7 is fulfilled in the 1st century, and thus we find the true meaning of revelation 1:7 in Zechariah 12:10-12.

 

[Call me Nic]

Revelation 1:7, which is basically a restatement of Matthew 24:30, which is quoting from Zechariah 12:10, which is specifically about Israel.

Revelation 1:7
Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on the land “will mourn because of him.”

Matthew 24:30 Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the tribes of the land will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

Zechariah 12:10-12 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirita of grace and supplication. They will look onb me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the rest of the clans and their wives.

Due to Matthew 24:34 (Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.), it appears Matthew 24:30 is fulfilled in the 1st century, thus revelation 1:7 is fulfilled in the 1st century, and thus we find the true meaning of revelation 1:7 in Zechariah 12:10-12.

Wrong. There are certain events that play out before that in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 and Revelation 6 and 7 before the sun is blackened, the moon becomes as blood, and the stars fall from heaven, and the Lord Jesus comes back.

If Jesus would have come back in the first century, we would have known about it.

2 Thessalonians 2 explains that the Lord Jesus will not return until the man of sin (the beast of Revelation 13 reveals himself), which makes perfect sense because he makes war with the saints in Revelation 13:7-8, and then Christ comes back to reap the harvest in Revelation 14, and then immediately afterward the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth in Revelation 15. The same chronological events happen in Revelation 6-9, which is a retelling of the same events.

The tribulation happens first in Matthew 24 before the Lord comes back to reap the earth.

Also, if in Matthew 24, the angels of Christ reap the "four corners" of the earth and gather the elect when he returns, how does the prophecy apply to only Jerusalem and Israel, as you suggest?

 

[claninja]

before the sun is blackened, the moon becomes as blood, and the stars fall from heaven, and the Lord Jesus comes back.

The type of language used in revelation and Matthew 24 about the "sun be darkened, and the stars falling..." is known as apocalyptic language. It is commonly used in oracles of judgment, especially on nations, in the OT. Just look at the oracle of judgment on Babylon by the medes. Notice anything familiar?

Isaiah 13:1,10,17 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold.

2 Thessalonians 2 explains that the Lord Jesus will not return until the man of sin (the beast of Revelation 13 reveals himself), which makes perfect sense because he makes war with the saints in Revelation 13:7-8,

The man of lawlessness was being restrained during the time of Paul:
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time

It's been almost 2000 years since paul wrote this. That MAN is long gone.

which makes perfect sense because he makes war with the saints in Revelation 13:7-8,

During the 4th kingom (rome) the saints would be persecuted prior to receiving the kingdom
Daniel 7:25 The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.b

But after the destruction of the little horn, the saints would inherit the kingdom
Daniel 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

Jesus told the disciples the kingdom of God would come in their generation:
Luke 21:29-32 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

The tribulation happens first in Matthew 24 before the Lord comes back to reap the earth.

Correct. And this would occur during Jesus' audience's generation

Matthew 24:34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Also, if in Matthew 24, the angels of Christ reap the "four corners" of the earth and gather the elect when he returns, how does the prophecy apply to only Jerusalem and Israel, as you suggest?

Never said the harvest is only applied to Jerusalem and Israel.
I stated Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 24:30 are quotations from Zechariah 12:10-12 which is specifically directed towards Israel.

If Jesus would have come back in the first century, we would have known about it.

Correct we would and we do. Christ associates the temple destruction with his coming. Is the temple still standing? Nope, it sure isn't. Know therefore that because the temple no longer stands, the way into the presence of God has been manifested (the resurrection).

Hebrews 9:8-9 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle is still standing. This is an illustration for the present time

 

[dreadnought]

Jesus said, …In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”… John 14:2-3

Figurative speech?