Revelations 1:7: ⁷Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will mourn on account of him. Truly. Amen.

John continues his opening by weaving together two citations from Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10 to remind his readers of the central truth of this book: that Jesus is coming again, so be ready. When Jesus comes again, it will be obvious to everyone: every eye and all tribes. He will come on the clouds just as he left into the clouds (Acts 1:11). These prophetic statements are difficult to reconcile with the idea of a secret rapture, an interpretation based on Matthew 24:40-41 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17. Jesus’ second coming will transform time and existence. Those who pierced him could refer to the Romans, but the Jewish leaders were also guilty because they instigated Jesus’ arrest and urged Pilate to crucify him.

Why will the whole world mourn? The implication is that Jesus’ coming again will not be a time of celebration because the party is over and people got caught in their sins. It will be judgment time, and no more hiding in closets or in the dark. Sin will be exposed, and people will be held accountable. Judgment is one of the supporting themes of this book. The various cataclysmic events described later serve as warnings, but people refuse to heed these and so face the eternal consequences. What response should we have knowing Jesus will come again? For those right with God, it will be a day of rejoicing, for our struggle in this world is over. For those who have rejected Jesus, it will be a day of misery because their fates will be sealed. Every heart will be laid bare, and every deed made known.