The Coming of the Son of Man
Mark 13:24-27 (LHB) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.
V24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light…”
The tribulation mentioned here is the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy and is mostly revealed further in the book of Revelation. This tribulation era is after the appearance of false christs and the antiChrist’s statue in the Holy of Holies of the third Temple and just before the return of the Lord Jesus to Earth.
(Bible Knowledge Commentary): “The word But (alla) introduces a sharp contrast between the appearance of false messiahs who will perform miraculous signs (Mark 13:22) and the dramatic coming of the true Messiah in those days (cf. Mark 13:19-20; Joel 2:28-32) following that distress (thlipsin, “tribulation”; cf. Mark 13:19). These phrases indicate a close connection with Mark 13:14-23. If these verses apply exclusively to the events of a.d. 70, then Jesus Christ should have returned shortly thereafter. That He did not return then supports the view that Mark 13:14-23 refer to both the destruction of Jerusalem and the future Great Tribulation before Christ will return.”
V25 “…And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.”
The sights in the universe immediately preceding Jesus’s return. It is meant to be a warning to those who reject Jesus and a comfort to those Jews who remain true to Israel and God. Compare Isaiah 13:6-11.
V26 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”
After these two things, they (Jews and Gentiles) will see the Son of Man coming. Compare Daniel 7:13. Clouds are associated with God and His power. It is also the fulfillment of prophecy in Acts 1:9-11. Great power seen in His person, His army, and His method of warfare. Glory as seen in the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3).
Also see Revelation 19:11-16.
JFB on Daniel 7:13:
“One like the Son of man – (see note, Ezekiel 2:1). Not merely, like other men, a son of man, but the Son of man. Not merely Son of David, and King of Israel, but Head of restored humanity (corresponding to the world-wide horizon of Daniel’s prophecy); the seed of the woman crushing Antichrist, the seed of the serpent, according to the Protevangel in Paradise (Genesis 3:15). The Representative man shall then realize the original destiny of man as Head of the creation (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:28) – the center of unity to Israel and the Gentiles. The beast, which taken conjointly represents the four beasts, ascends from the sea (Daniel 7:2; Revelation 13:1); the Son of man descends from “heaven.” Satan, as the serpent, is the representative head of all that is bestial; man, by following the serpent, has become bestial. God must, therefore, become man, so that man may cease to be beast-like and become truly manly. Whoever rejects the incarnate God will be judged by the Son of man just because He is the Son of man (John 5:27). This title is always associated with His coming again, because the kingdom that then awaits Him is that which belongs to Him as the Saviour of man, the Restorer of the lost inheritance. His title “the Son of man” expresses His VISIBLE state, formerly in His humiliation, hereafter in His exaltation.”
V27 “And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.”
Jesus is a delegator, not a nano-manager. He delegates the angels to the task of gathering Jesus’s followers. Compare Matthew 13:30. The four winds are the cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West. All will be gathered. All Jews, for sure, will be gathered to Israel. The elect are those who place their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation and forgiveness of sins.
Constable writes: “Evidently Jesus will bring all the elect together. This implies the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:2) and Tribulation saints who have died (Revelation 6:9-11). Probably Christians, saints of the church age who have gone to heaven at the Rapture or death, will return with Him (1Thessalonians 4:17). Saints living on the earth when Jesus returns will also assemble to Him (cf. Matthew 25). Jesus pictured all believers converging to Him at His second coming, whether alive or dead, on Earth or in Heaven. He will become the universal center of attention, and then He will begin reigning. Unbelievers will not experience resurrection until the end of Jesus’ millennial reign (Revelation 20:7-15).”
We learn:
- The events immediately prior and at the time of the Second Coming to Earth to deliver Israel first, then the world.
- His care for those who believe in Him.
Questions:
- Do you believe these prophetic words will literally happen?
- Do you believe and trust in Jesus alone for your salvation?