Before Jerusalem Fell - EntreWave

Tb Theme of Revelation 123
import is being introduced. But what is expected? And how is it
anticipated? Further, how does it assist in our inquiry?
Explication of the Theme
The nature of the event has to do with a “Cloud-Coming” of
Christ. It is necessary here to understand the Old Testament backdrop
for a proper comprehension of the matter. The Old Testament
frequently uses clouds as indicators of divine judgment. God is said
to be surrounded with thick, foreboding clouds as emblems of His
unapproachable holiness and righteousness (Gen. 15:17; Ex. 13:21-
22; 14:19-20; 19:9, 16-19; Deut. 4:11; Job 22:14; Psa. 18:8ff.; 97:2;
104:3; Isa. 19: 1; Eze. 32:7-8). He is poetically portrayed as coming
in clouds in historical judgments upon men (Psa. 18:7-15; 104:3; Isa.
19:1; Joel 2:1, 2; Nab. l:2ff.; Zeph. 1:14, 15). Thus, the New Tests+
ment speaks of Christ’s coming in clouds of judgment in history at
Matthew 24:30 and 26:64, not to mention His Second Coming at the
end of world history (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4: 13ff. ). His Cloud-Coming
is a Judgment-Coming that brings mourning. But upon whom? And
when? And how? Fortunately — and as expected in such a context
with an attention arresting “behold” – time cues exist within the
theme text, and can be found in the other New Testament allusions
to this same passage. And along with these time cues we can surmise
the objects of His wrath. The passage clearly states that He will
come and cause mourning among “those who pierced Him” and
upon “all the tribes of the earth. ” Let us consider each of these
separately and then merge them together to form a complete picture.
“Those Who Pierced Him”
Who are “those who pierced Him”? Although it is true that the
Romans were responsible for physically nailing Him to the cross13
(John 18:30-3 1), the onus of the divine curse indisputably falls squarely
upon those who instigated and demanded it: the Jews. “If the Remans
took any part in doing this, it was a merely ministerial and
subordinate part. The Jews were the instigators and the proper
authors of the deed.” 14 The biblical record is quite clear: the Jews are
13. The very fact that He was sentenced to die by crucifixion (a Roman punishment)
and not stoning (a Jewish punishment) is by itself indicative of the physical involvement
of the Roman judicial apparatus.
14. Stuart, Apoca~pse 1:272-273.