Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7
If the Rapture were to occur at this moment, how many people in the world would be aware of what had happened? How long would it take them to grasp the reality that Jesus Christ had come to call His own away to be with Himself in the Glory? For us, it will be an amazing event, far beyond our expectations and beyond the scope of our imaginations. But, surprisingly, the impact of that great event on the rest of the world will be very small. Most will be totally unaware that anything had happened. Although there are millions of Christians in the world, the percentage of the overall population is tiny. Our departure will have an almost negligible impact on all but family members and others very close to individual Christians. The devil has already prepared the lies he will spread to cover up the disappearance of believers. For the world, it will appear to be a non-event. Obviously, our text is not speaking of that coming of the Lord Jesus. No, it is speaking of when He arrives in judgment to take up His kingdom.
Unlike at the Rapture, the coming of Christ as King and Lord will be obvious to everyone in the world. We don’t know how this will happen, although technologically it is possible today. Most ignored or rejected Him at His first coming, and almost all were unaware of the Rapture. But there will be no ignoring or rejecting when He appears again. Our text speaks of the impact on those who witness that great coming event. How glad we should be that we will be spared that great impact. Included in those who will witness His appearance are those who pierced Him. This certainly includes Israel, that nation that rejected their King at His first appearance, and called for His crucifixion. What a great shock to realize that they were wrong. Also shocked will be the religious leaders who placed such stock in their forms and rituals and missed the one of whom those forms and rituals spoke. Those who like the Roman soldiers at the cross who treated the crucifixion as just a day’s business will also be made aware of their wrong. But our text makes it plain that the great wailing at their great mistake will not be limited to the Jews or the religious or the violent. Every part of the planet will be swept into remorse and dread at His appearance. We who are saved will be spared this great shame.
Remorse and dread are the lot of those who will witness Christ’s coming. But Christians have already encountered those two monsters. Our Bible declares that repentance is critical before we can be saved. Repentance is the great remorse for our sins, and the great dread of the judgment that our sins rightfully deserve. But repentance leads to the joy of our salvation. It also leads to our acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as our King and Lord.
It was a wonderful day when we first encountered the Lord Jesus. And we will be spared the terrible day when the rest of the world must encounter Him. -Jim MacIntosh