The Sign of the Son of Man.
Perhaps some of my young readers, like many others, have wondered what the sign of the Son of man can be. And perhaps it would be going too far to say we can certainly tell. It seems very clear, however, that when Jesus is just, about to descend from heaven with His holy angels, and with His glorified saints, the Jews on earth will see a sign in heaven which will speak to them of the divine presence, and then they will see Jesus coming. Just after the great tribulation, “the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.” This will be a moment of great terror for the wicked. “Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,” Jesus tells us.
What the sign is, I think we may learn pretty clearly from other scriptures. In Luke 21:2727And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27), we are told that “they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” In Acts 1:99And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9), we are told that when Jesus was taken up to heaven, “a cloud received Him out of their sight. Again, in Rev. 14:1414And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14), John tells us that he beheld “a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man.” These scriptures would indicate that this, “cloud,” or “white cloud,” will be the “sign”.
In other scriptures also, I think, we get this same cloud. In Lev. 16:22And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:2), the Lord said, “I will appear in the cloud, upon the mercy seat.” And, in, 1 Kings 8:1010And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, (1 Kings 8:10), we are told that “the cloud filled the house of the Lord,” and in the next verse; that “the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” This cloud of glory which rested between the cherubim, over the mercy seat, was the sign of the Lord’s presence there. The Jews called it “the Shekinah.” Then again in Matt. 17:55While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5), in connection with the account of the transfiguration of Jesus, we are told that “a bright cloud overshadowed them.” So also in Acts 26:1313At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. (Acts 26:13), where Paul is telling King Agrippa of his conversion, he says, “At midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me.” Was not this the glorious light of Jesus’ presence in the glory-cloud? It would seem that in all these cases, it is the same bright, shining cloud of glory which speaks of the divine presence. And when Jesus is about to come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, and of the holy angels, this bright cloud will be seen through the open heavens. And just as it struck terror to the heart of Saul of Tarsus, so that he fell to the ground, so will it strike terror to the hearts of the wicked in the land of Israel, when they see the heavens cleaving asunder, revealing this sign, and the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. They will see the sign, the cloud of glory, and then they will see Jesus coming.
Oh! it will be a terrible moment for die Jews, who said, “His blood be on us, and on our children:” And it will be a terrible moment’ for all on earth who despise the name of Jesus. Jesus is a Saviour now but He will be a Judge then. Are you ready, my dear young reader; or are you still lost? Are you a believer in Jesus; or are you an unbeliever? Are you a friend of Jesus; or are you an enemy? His enemies will then be made His footstool. They will be crushed under His feet. Oh! will you not flee to Jesus now, while He is a Saviour, and waiting to save you? Hasten to Him, while He still invites you. If you wait till He comes as the. Judge, it will be too late. Now is the accepted time.
ML 05/22/1904