God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for time is near. Revelation 1:3
Deciding it was time to stroll through Home Goods, I pulled into the parking lot. It seemed more crowded than usual as I scanned the lot for a free space. During the hunt, I noticed a large crowd in the center looking straight up. Because of the angle and my view from the car, I could not determine what had their attention. Finally, I found a spot and could see it as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle. It was an enormous American Flag flying from a fire truck ladder. It towered high above the tree tops and the power lines. Folks were shielding their eyes from the blinding sun and pointing as they paid tribute. The day was Wednesday, Sept 11th.
There is probably no one reading this post who does not remember exactly where they were on that infamous day over twenty-three years ago. The Home Goods detour was en route home from Bible study that morning. It was our first meeting, and we opened our scriptures to Revelations 1:1-9 to begin our study. The irony was not lost on me that we had just read and discussed the verse that says, “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen (Rev 1:7). I joined a crowd looking into the clouds, remembering a day that brought tremendous sorrow to our country.
When Jesus comes, He will be literally surrounded by clouds. When Jesus left this earth, He was taken up in a cloud, and God said He would return in the same manner (Acts 1:9-11). And the best part of all, it won’t be a secret. The first time He arrived as a Babe in a tiny, obscure village with barn animals for an audience. But the next time He comes, it will be an entirely different venue, and the audience will simultaneously be everyone on the entire earth. It will be glorious for those of us who know Him and even those “that pierced Him,” referring to the Jews. They will be mourning because of the time lost, missing it the first time, their rejection, and the consequences that were incurred (Zch 12:10). The Jewish nation, by the time Jesus reveals Himself to them, will have turned to Jesus, accepting Him as their Messiah (Matt 23:29). Their sorrow will turn to joy.
Jesus is not coming in anger but to redeem His people. It will be a glorious day! This is the theme of the Book of Revelation, which concludes the story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity and the fulfillment of all His promises. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom, uniting a renewed earth and heaven. He will bring a world with no death, disease, or sorrow. And God will walk among His people. As a redeemed people, that is hope! On this one truth alone rests all other truths. Believe it and find joy today. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.