Mat 24:29-31 | KingComments | STEP | The plagues that will come over the earth during the great tribulation, will find their end in a total darkening and chaos. Any orientation based on the heavenly bodies is gone. We can also see in these heavenly bodies a picture of different forms of authority ( ). The total darkening and chaos then means that all authority has disappeared and there is complete anarchy on earth. The sign that will then appear in heaven is the Son of Man. He appears to assume His dominion. He will appear unexpectedly, not as a Messiah Who answers the worldly pride of the unbelieving masses, but as the Christ despised by them, coming from heaven to judge. His coming will bring about a lamentation in all Israel ( ). They will look on Him Whom they have pierced ( ). Then the Lord Jesus appears for the second time on earth, this time in power and majesty. He comes as the Son of Man, that is to say as the Ruler over all creation, heaven and earth. The splendor of His majesty is additionally empowered by the sending out of His angels. This will be accompanied by a great trumpet. His angels are instructed by Him to gather together His elect who are scattered throughout the earth. Here we see the bringing together of the scattered ten tribes of Israel. This will happen after the Son of Man has appeared.

‏ Matthew 24:29-31

The Coming of the Son of Man

The plagues that will come over the earth during the great tribulation, will find their end in a total darkening and chaos. Any orientation based on the heavenly bodies is gone. We can also see in these heavenly bodies a picture of different forms of authority (Gen 1:16). The total darkening and chaos then means that all authority has disappeared and there is complete anarchy on earth.

The sign that will then appear in heaven is the Son of Man. He appears to assume His dominion. He will appear unexpectedly, not as a Messiah Who answers the worldly pride of the unbelieving masses, but as the Christ despised by them, coming from heaven to judge. His coming will bring about a lamentation in all Israel (Zec 12:10-14). They will look on Him Whom they have pierced (Rev 1:8). Then the Lord Jesus appears for the second time on earth, this time in power and majesty. He comes as the Son of Man, that is to say as the Ruler over all creation, heaven and earth.

The splendor of His majesty is additionally empowered by the sending out of His angels. This will be accompanied by a great trumpet. His angels are instructed by Him to gather together His elect who are scattered throughout the earth. Here we see the bringing together of the scattered ten tribes of Israel. This will happen after the Son of Man has appeared.