Introduction

† Scripture shows two distinct comings of Christ, one in the flesh and one in judgment (Hebrews 9:28)

† The first coming was visible, physical, and redemptive, the second was a covenantal coming in judgment against Israel (Matthew 24:30)

† Many confuse these and expect one future event, but the Bible separates them clearly in purpose and timing (John 1:11)

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

† This is the first coming, Christ entering the world in physical form (John 1:14)

† He came humbly, not in judgment, but to bring grace and truth (Luke 19:10)

† This coming was personal and visible, witnessed by those living at that time (1 John 1:1)

Matthew 24:30

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.

† This is not the same as the first coming, this is a coming in judgment using Old Testament prophetic language (Matthew 24:30)

† Cloud coming language is consistently used in the Old Testament to describe God coming in judgment, not physically appearing (Isaiah 19:1)

† The tribes mourning points directly to Israel, not the entire planet (Zechariah 12:10-12)

Isaiah 19:1

The pronouncement concerning Egypt: Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; the idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.

† God is described as coming on a cloud here, yet no one saw a literal physical appearance (Isaiah 19:1)

† This language represents judgment through nations and armies (Isaiah 10:5-6)

† This proves that cloud coming is symbolic of divine judgment, not a bodily descent (Psalm 104:3)

Matthew 26:64

Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

† Jesus told the high priest they would see this, placing fulfillment in their lifetime (Matthew 26:64)

† This cannot be a future global event, it was directed to that generation (Matthew 23:36)

† This ties directly to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Luke 21:20-22)

Matthew 16:27-28

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

† Jesus plainly says some standing there would see His coming, that locks the timing into the first century (Matthew 16:28)

† This connects directly with Matthew 24 and proves it's not thousands of years later (Matthew 24:34)

† This destroys any future-only interpretation because the audience was alive to witness it (Luke 9:27)

Daniel 7:13-14

I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a son of man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

† This is not a coming to earth, it's a coming to the Father to receive the kingdom (Daniel 7:13)

† Jesus quotes this in Matthew 26:64, tying His coming to enthronement, not a physical return (Matthew 26:64)

† This proves the cloud coming is about authority and judgment, not a visible descent to the planet (Psalm 110:1)

Matthew 24:34

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

† Jesus defines the timeframe Himself, no guessing is needed (Matthew 24:34)

† All the coming language in the chapter is locked inside that generation (Matthew 24:30)

† That includes the cloud coming, proving it already happened (Luke 21:22)

Luke 21:20-22

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the middle of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.

† Jesus defines His coming in judgment as the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20)

† He calls it the time when all things written would be fulfilled (Luke 21:22)

† This connects His cloud coming directly to a historical event in that generation (Matthew 24:34)

Historical References

† Eusebius recorded that the church fled Jerusalem before its destruction, recognizing Christ's warning (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.5)

† Josephus documented the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, confirming the judgment Jesus foretold (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 6)

† Tacitus also recorded the Roman destruction, showing it was a real historical fulfillment (Tacitus, Histories 5)

† The Roman armies under Titus fulfilled the very imagery of divine judgment, acting as God's instrument just as the prophets described (Luke 21:20)

† The temple destruction in AD 70 marked the full end of the Old Covenant system exactly as Jesus said (Hebrews 8:13)

How It Applies To Us Today

† We don't look for another coming in judgment, it already happened just as Jesus said (Matthew 24:34)

† We live in the fulfilled kingdom where Christ reigns now (Ephesians 1:20-22)

† This gives us confidence that every word Jesus spoke was true and fulfilled (John 17:4)

Q & A Appendix

Q If Christ already came in judgment, is there another coming?

A Hebrews 9:28 says Christ appeared a second time apart from sin unto salvation, and that was fulfilled in His covenantal coming to end the old system, Matthew 24:30-34

Q Why does it say every eye will see Him?

A Revelation 1:7 uses prophetic language tied to Israel, those who pierced Him, meaning that generation witnessed His judgment, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30

Q Was the second coming physical?

A No, it followed Old Testament cloud coming language of judgment, not a bodily descent, Isaiah 19:1, Psalm 104:3

Q If Jesus already came, why didn't the whole world see it?

A Jesus said it would be like the days of Noah, a judgment event focused on a specific people, not a global spectacle, Matthew 24:37-39, and He tied it directly to Jerusalem's destruction, Luke 21:20-22

Q What about Acts 1:11, doesn't it say He will come back the same way?

A Acts 1:11 says He will come in like manner, and that matches the cloud coming language already established in Scripture, not a physical descent to earth, Daniel 7:13, Matthew 26:64

Q Doesn't 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describe a future event?

A 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 uses apocalyptic and covenant language tied to the resurrection and gathering that occurred at the end of the age, and Paul said it would happen to them, not thousands of years later, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, Matthew 24:31, Matthew 24:34

Q What about 2 Peter 3, doesn't it say the world will be destroyed?

A 2 Peter 3 is using Old Testament judgment language just like Isaiah and others, describing the end of the Old Covenant world, not the physical planet, Isaiah 13:10, Hebrews 12:26-28

Q If this already happened, why do people still expect a future coming?

A Because they've been taught to ignore the time statements and audience relevance in Scripture, but Jesus clearly said all these things would happen in that generation, Matthew 24:34, Matthew 16:28

Q What does it mean that He comes with His angels?

A Angels are messengers and agents of judgment, and God used them throughout Scripture to carry out His will, Matthew 13:41-42, Luke 21:22

Q What about Revelation 22:20, "I am coming quickly"?

A Quickly means soon, and it was written to first century believers expecting fulfillment in their time, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 22:6-7

Q What does it mean that He comes in glory?

A Glory refers to His authority and kingship being revealed in judgment, not a visible appearance in the sky, Matthew 24:30, Psalm 110:1

Q Why is the destruction of Jerusalem so important?

A Because it marked the end of the Old Covenant system and the full establishment of the New Covenant, exactly as Jesus said, Luke 21:22, Hebrews 8:13

Q If Christ is already reigning, where is His kingdom?

A His kingdom is not of this world system, it is a present spiritual reign over His people, John 18:36, Ephesians 1:20-22

Q What about "every eye will see Him" in Revelation 1:7?

A It specifically says those who pierced Him, pointing to first century Israel, and uses prophetic judgment language, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† John 1:14, Matthew 24:30, Isaiah 19:1, Matthew 26:64, Matthew 16:27-28, Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:34, Luke 21:20-22, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 1:7, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 104:3, Psalm 110:1, Matthew 24:37-39, Ephesians 1:20-22, John 17:4

† Josephus, Wars of the Jews Book 6, Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 3.5, Tacitus Histories 5