“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

When considering prophetic events post-1874, it is important to understand the time frame for the many scriptures referencing the Lord’s return, while using the most precise study techniques.[1] The following consideration suggests that scriptures describing the Lord’s return can be categorized into two major aspects, those being: the Lord coming for his saints, and his coming with his saints.

FOR HIS SAINTS

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 — This scripture describes Jesus’ return for his saints. Note the subject involves the raising of all his saints, albeit from two conditions. Also described are items he returns with: “with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” (See Supplement at end.)

Highlighting the trumpet, note that the word used refers to an instrument (G4536), not its trumpet sound (G4537). Jesus is described holding, but not as blowing, the trumpet. In the same sense, consider Revelation 8:6. “And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets [G4536] prepared themselves to sound [G4537].” Note that holding and sounding a trumpet are differentiated. This is an important concept because the sounding of the (we assume to be) seventh trumpet is used as a time stamp. Thus, the reference here to the Lord’s immediate return need not imply sounding of the trumpet.

Revelation 10:7 — Note carefully that the sounding of the seventh trumpet (assumed to be the trumpet of the seventh messenger) occurs within a period of the seventh messenger’s voice. This describes a period where the seventh messenger is actively engaged in speaking, yet not necessarily trumpeting. Since a speaking voice is more subtle than a trumpet blast, this could represent a period in which the seventh messenger continues to speak the Harvest Message to Laodicea after his death, through his writings, which are available to those that have an ear to hear. That process concludes when the “mystery” (the church) is finished (completed), followed by a trumpet blast, or message, to the world in a fashion that cannot be disregarded and will eventuate in its downfall. So, this scripture details a voice period for his church during the Parousia, while ending with a trumpet sounding (“begins to sound” implies a length of time) with his church at the Apocalupsis. This scripture describes the epoch we live in.

 

Scriptural Elements of Christ’s Return
Return Scripture	Manner of Return	For or With Saints	Trumpet Sound	Voice	Reign	Destruction
1 Thess. 4:15-17	Parousia	For	With Trumpet	Of Archangel
Revelation 10:1	Parousia
Revelation 10:7	Parousia	For	Harvest end	Period of time
1 Corinthians 15:51-52	Parousia	For	Harvest end
Revelation 14:14-16	Parousia	For
Matthew 24:30-31	Parousia	For	From angel(s)	Of a trumpet	Power and glory	Troubled times
Revelation 19	Apocalupsis	With			Diadem vs. 12	Final, complete
Revelation 11:15-19	Apocalupsis	With	Seventh angel	Great in heaven	Taken power	Wrath upon
Jude 14-15	Apocalupsis	With				Final
Revelation 20:1-3	Apocalupsis	Jesus alone				Satan’s power

 

Revelation 10:1 — This seems a strong reference to the returning Lord (“mighty angel”) during the Parousia phase (“clothed with a cloud”). He brings with him the Harvest Message promising the lifting of the Adamic curse (rainbow), considerable understanding of the New Testament (the sun), and destruction of the earthly order of things (feet of fire). There is an experience with a “little book,” perhaps a physical description of the tiny books produced by Br. Russell, the instrument used to prophesy far and wide, like the sound of a trumpet to the world. Revelation 10 describes the harvest period.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 — The primary focus here is upon the raising of the last saints, which represents the full number having come in. Thus, the completion of the church directly correlates to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, similar to Revelation 10:7.

Revelation 14:14-16 — The picture of “one like unto the Son of man” standing upon a cloud (the cloud separates the view of him from the earth) aptly symbolizes the returned Lord during his Parousia phase. The (first) sickle highlights the gathering in of the final number of saints remaining on earth during his Parousia phase.

WITH HIS SAINTS

Matthew 24:30-31 — An assemblage of the saints is again associated with a trumpet. In context with the previous verse, this illustrates an end time view, i.e. the Apocalypse when Jesus is revealed to the world exercising his regnal power.

Revelation 19 — This chapter gives great detail as to Day of Judgment events involving the church. The key events described here in order are:[2]

• Babylon’s destruction in Revelation 18:21 initiates the narrative.[3]
• The marriage of the Lamb (thus the completion of the church)
• A marshalling to battle of the Christ, head and body.
• The destruction of the corrupt elements of earthly power: the Kings of the Earth, the Beast, and the False Prophet.
• Subduing the Dragon at the Apocalypse of Christ.

Revelation 11:15-19 — This scripture commences the reign of Christ with turmoil and wrath upon those opposed to God (suggesting a “rod of iron” type rule), and reward for those who reverence His name. Verse 19 implies a clear understanding of spiritual things, perhaps a function of the revealing, or Apocalypse. Through this time of trouble mankind will clearly identify the glorified church.

Jude 14-15 — A very clear description of the Lord coming with his saints to execute judgment upon the world.

SUMMATION

It is easy to confuse the timing of the many scriptures which refer to our Lord’s return. Thus events in context with them can be mistimed as well. Certain scriptures are anchors around which a framework of interpretation should be constructed. The suggestion here is that scriptures describing the Lord’s return are just such anchors. It is a fascinating and many faceted study, and a blessing to pursue. May the year 2020 bring enhanced spiritual insight.

— Br. Bob Davis

Some Options

The article above has some engaging points. One of them is its application of Matthew 24:30 to the close of the harvest, rather than to the opening of the harvest. This harmonizes with the following, from page 420 of the Sermon Book. Commenting on Matthew 24:30: “We cannot say that the sign of the Son of Man in heave will be his Parousia. On the contrary, the Parousia of Christ will not be known to the tribes, or families, of the earth in general, but will be known only to the most saintly ones of the Church of Christ. … The sign of the Son of Man must in some sense stand related to his … shining forth in the ‘flaming fire’ of judgment, which the whole world of mankind will recognize” (Pastor Russell, Sermon, “The Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven”)

This is supported by studies of former editor Br. Carl Hagensick, expressed in a discourse titled “The Mourning Before and the Mourning After,” given many years ago at a San Diego Convention. Also by a discourse by Br. Russell Shallieu a few years later, citing the Sermon Book as above. See also the article “With Power and Great Glory” from the May 2019 Herald of Christ’s Kingdom.

We suggest, however, a break between Matthew 24:30, and verse 31. That verse 31 goes back to explain that during the previous years of the harvest Christ would have been gathering his elect Church class members that had been scattered to “the four winds” of Christendom (compare Zechariah 2:6, 7).

We think that Jesus coming with saints and angels refers to holy ones of an angelic entourage, rather than to members of the Bride class. For example, Matthew 16:27 says “The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” The context is about rewarding the followers of Jesus. This comes after Jesus returns “with his angels” — with an angelic retinue. This may apply also to Jude 14. See another example of an angelic retinue in Daniel 7:10.

Revelation 10 is under the sixth trumpet of Revelation. It thus seems to be pre-harvest, when the “little book,” the Bible, would have renewed widespread service. The rainbow may be an assurance that the persecution of the 1260 years, then recently completed, would not be repeated — as the bow in Noah’s day was a sign that previous troubles would not be repeated.

In Revelation 11:18, “prophets” and “saints” apparently are two descriptors for the Church class raised during the harvest. Compare Revelation 16:6 for the same words used for members of the Church class.

— Br. David Rice

 

---

[1] Using the most reliable translations, giving attention to the nuances of Greek words, noting scriptural context and accurate history where it applies. Suggestions for accurate translations: Wilson’s Diaglott, Marshall’s Interlinear Greek-English Testament, NASB. Rotherham for the O.T. (It is important to not “cherry pick” translations to fit a preferred interpretation).

[2] Events in this chapter concerning the Great Company are not discussed in this article.

[3] Babylon is the Catholic Church proper, not to be confused with the Beast of Revelation which is destroyed later in chapter 19.

 

Download PDF