They Who Pierced Him

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.  And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7

The return of Christ has both a wide and a narrow scope.  Our text makes the point that ‘every eye will see Him,’ which indicates that it will not be secret.  John goes on to remark ‘even they who pierced Him.’  This narrows the scope of the return to a specific group to whom the revelation is particularly important.  This brings to focus the continuing role of the people of Israel.  Paul asks, ‘has God cast away His people?  Certainly not!’  Christ’s return affects all people, His redeemed, and His chosen people Israel.  The prophet Zechariah was so specific as to say that, when Christ returns, ‘His feet will, stand on the Mount of Olives.’  The geographical location to which Christ returns is calculated to demonstrate to Israel that their long-awaited Messiah has arrived.  For us, this figures into our understanding of the larger purpose of Christ to gather together the Jews and Gentiles into one sheepfold with One Shepherd.  This shows us that Christ is as good as His word and will finish what He began.  It increases our faith, our confidence in Him, and our understanding of the direction that world events are going.  Christ will do all that He has promised. 

Our Gracious Master and our God,
we rejoice that You have not forsaken Your chosen people.
We praise You that Your return will be Your fulfillment to them
of all that You have promised.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning