Nab B.
December 3, 2022
Updated Oct, 2025
“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.”
— Rev 1:7 —
NKJV
The Descent from the Cross Publisher: Rijksmuseum Date: 1630 - 1669
More than ever, Christians are convinced that Jesus will literally be "Coming with the clouds" and "Every eye will see him...even those who pierced him." Not only that, he will come "visibly in the flesh," on this earth, when it all happens!
I hate to spoil your expectation because this was not what Jesus meant by in Revelation 1:7 (Rev 1:1-3).
Discerning between what is literal and symbolic is crucial for proper understanding of scripture. Let me explain that distinction.
How could Christ say, "Even those (plural) who pierced him," when it was only one Roman soldier who pierced him? "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out." (John 19:34 ESV)
The "piercing" is symbolic and spiritual, pointing to many who continue to pierce Jesus, spiritually. Notice how the plural pronoun 'they' is used by John, who reported Christ's crucifixion, "For these things took place that...another Scripture says, 'THEY will look on him whom THEY have pierced.'” (John 19:36-37 ESV)
Interestingly, Revelation 1:7 in the Concordant Literal Translation uses the verb "stab" or "pierce" in the aorist indicative active tense (capitalized), denoting a past action that continues. It clearly points to others who will continue to "pierce" Jesus, spiritually.
“Lo! He is COMING with clouds, and every eye shall be SEEING Him – those, also, who STAB Him – and all the tribes of the land shall be GRIEVING over Him.”
"Coming with the cloud" is a symbol of "power and glory". "Clouds" are always associated with "God's glory" (e.g. 2 Chron 5:14, Eze 10:4, Ex 40:35, 1 Thess 4:17, Mk 14:62, etc).
"Coming with the clouds," and in "power and glory," is not a future event! The next sample of scriptures proves Jesus had already "Come in power and glory" since he rose from the dead, actively working among his elect:
"God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." (Phil 2:8-9)
"(God) raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand...far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." (Eph 1:20-21 ESV)
"Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Pet 3:22)
To be clear, there will be one final coming for Christ. It won't be in the flesh because he is not flesh! He is a "life-giving Spirit" (see 1 Cor 15:45), besides, "though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more." (see 2 Cor 5:16)
Christ's final coming will be to do the following:
a) End this age,
b) Resurrect the dead,
c) Begin the day of judgment,
d) Usher in a new creation.
All humans (past, present, and future) have pierced him when the sin of the whole world was placed on him at the cross. Though innocent, he became a "sin offering" for us, putting an end to sin and death. To those who believe, Christ's piercing (wounds) heal them from sin and death.
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Pet 2:24 ESV, Isaiah 53:3)
“Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)
We pierce Jesus if we choose to do nothing about God's salvation and exchange such glorious salvation for a measly 80 or 90 years of earthly life!
Even "believers" who were "Once enlightened" by the gospel but fell away from the faith continue to pierce the Son of God. Of such ones, it says,
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6:4,6)
“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” (2 Peter 2:20 ESV)
Responding to Christ's invitation, we cease piercing him and get healed. Because of God's grace and patience, time is on our side, as long as we are not dead.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28 ESV)
“Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.” (John 6:40, 57 ESV)
By allowing his "water and blood" to wash and cleanse us, we stop piercing him and get healed. When Christ was pierced, “Water and Blood” poured on the ground, from which man was taken. It symbolized the removal of our sin and death.
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us...according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” (Titus 3:4-6)
If you are "doubting," "lingering," "slowing down," "losing the love for Christ," or "losing your faith," there is no better time than "now" or "today" to claim God’s true gift, a new life through Jesus Christ.
"Behold, NOW is the favourable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." (2 Cor 6:2)
Do it while you have a breath. There are no second chances after death. Let Christ's wound and piercing on the cross remove the old, sinful nature by "the washing and regenerative power of His Spirit," and you will be forever healed!