The Son of Man Coming In the Clouds

If you have your Bible and I hope that you do, please turn to Mark 13:24-27 as we continue to discuss the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Last week we discussed the destruction of Jerusalem and the call from Christ to endure. That word endure comes from two Greek words: hupo which means under and meno which means remain. So for the believer in Christ this whole teaching is about remaining under Christ during the terrible seasons that will come. Yet we endure with a tremendous gift, and that gift is HOPE.

Navy SEALs undergo BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training. It’s a 24-week program with "Hell Week" as its pinnacle—five days of relentless physical and mental stress on less than four hours of sleep total. Trainees endure hypothermia, exhaustion, and doubt, yet they push forward with hope of earning the Trident, the SEAL insignia. For those who graduate, that hope fuels a career of extraordinary missions.

Hope sustains the Christian on this side of eternity and it is secured by faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This passage gives us hope that Christ will return. The study of things pertaining to the end is called eschatology. Lot’s of people want to believe that theology and eschatology in particular is unimportant, but if we do away with eschatology then we don’t have a Christian framework to rightly view human history.

In fact, without a Christian worldview it is up to people’s interpretations as to why nations war and that’s not a good place to be. Christians believe that all of human history is moving toward one climactic event known as the return of Christ. if you’ve ever felt like something shouldn’t ever happen as a nation, or you long to have a Christian nation, or you have the belief that things that are shouldn’t be then you should know that’s an eschatological longing given to you by God.

All of history points to the return of the King and we have a hope founded upon the very words of Jesus Christ.

Let’s stand together in honor of God’s Word as we read Mark 13:24-27

Mark 13:24–27 ESV

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Our passage begins with an important phrase: Jesus says “But in those days”, which days? This goes back to Mark 13:4

Mark 13:4 ESV

4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

The reason why this passage is so closely tied with the return of Christ is because how the question is phrased in Matthew’s Gospel.

Matthew 24:3 ESV

3 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

So were the disciples asking about the end of the age as in the end of the world? Some see this as the end of the Jewish age, transitioning to the time of the Gentiles. Others see it as the end of history. I lean toward the end of the age of the Jews myself as I view this as fulfilled, but both views exist and both have biblical arguments. I will encourage you like I always do, to seek the Scriptures, do not divide nor be divisive over this issue, and rely on the Holy Spirit.

Jesus continues by saying this next teaching is after the days of this tribulation. As I said last week, there is evidence of viewing this as something past and there is evidence of viewing this as something future. What is startling about the use of this language by Jesus in this context is not that He uses the same imagery as the prophets, but that he uses it with regard to the fate of Jerusalem and its temple.

While Christians may differ on the timing and sequence of Christ’s return, we all stand together on this unshakable truth—Jesus is coming back in power and glory. This certainty gives us hope and calls us to remain faithful.

What we can agree with is Point 1:

I. The Cosmic Signs of His Coming

“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Now, many read this and think… wow… it’s the ending of the universe! Okay… that’s if you read prophecy literally. Many believe that this language is literal and will be fulfilled during the great tribulation, a period of time of tremendous suffering in the world. This is based on understanding the book of Revelation as only pertaining to the future and seeing the various judgments described as poured out on the world.

Revelation 6:12–14 ESV

12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

The language is similar isn’t it? Massive cosmic events! The darkening of the sky. It reoccurs in the various prophets.

Zephaniah 1:15–16 ESV

15 A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.

Amos 8:9 ESV

9 “And on that day,” declares the Lord God, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.

Others, like myself, view this kind of language symbolically portraying themes like tribulation, suffering, evil, and death.

In Isaiah 13, God’s Word uses this language to describe judgment on Babylon. Listen to

Isaiah 13:9–11 ESV

9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.

A couple things to note: The Day of the Lord doesn’t always refer to the second coming of Christ. It oftentimes refers to judgment like it does here. Also, notice the language of a prophecy that has been fulfilled. This prophecy was geared toward the Babylonian Empire falling to the Medes, which has been fulfilled. It’s recorded for us in the book of Daniel. Thirdly you’ll note that “the world” here in verse 11 is in reference to Babylon’s kingdom, the known world at that time. This is similar to how if you are talking to a family member about a reunion and you say “Everyone’s going to be there.” You don’t mean that every person you know will be there, but the whole family. Context matters, and when interpreting Scripture— context is extremely important.

But this isn’t the only place this kind of language is found: Ezekiel 32:7-9 refers to God’s judgment on Egypt and Pharaoh (not in reference to the Exodus if you’re curious)

Ezekiel 32:7–9 ESV

7 When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. 8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord God. 9 “I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries that you have not known.

That’s really heavy! And the language is consistent though which is why I believe the language in Mark 13 is prophetic and symbolic language pointing to judgment. This language that Jesus uses is very specific and important. Remember that Mark 13 is the longest segment of teaching in the book of Mark, and it is by this teaching that Christ is leading His disciples to see what He would accomplish in just a few days.

The reason why I understand it as being fulfilled is because of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost. In Acts 2:16-23 Peter quotes Joel 2.

Acts 2:16–23 ESV

16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Peter refers to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the fulfillment of Joel 2 when the sun would be turned to darkness, the moon to blood. Even signs in the earth like blood, fire, and smoke. Themes and symbols! But Peter does also refer to these days as “the last days”. I do think we are in the last days because Peter teaches here that we are. Apparently, our last days have been around for 2,000 years. This doesn’t mean God doesn’t care. 2 Peter 3:8-10

2 Peter 3:8–10 ESV

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

I wanted to take some time to really dive into this, but we do not have the time unfortunately. But I did want to share what John said because he didn’t use the word days in his writing, he used the word “hours”

1 John 2:18 ESV

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

Now… whether these signs are symbolic of wrath and destruction or literally the sun going dark what we learn is that Christ reigns over all and is supreme! All things are under His power and might. His rule extends to the very end of universe and then some! But also, we should be careful when studying prophecy and avoid sensationalism. I’ve seen to many Christians worked up over blood moons, eclipses, comets, and strange sounds that it affects the lost’s ability to hear the Gospel.

C.S. Lewis said, 'The doctrine of the Second Coming teaches us that we do not and cannot know when the world drama will end. The curtain may be rung down at any moment.' Whether symbolic or literal, these signs herald Christ’s supremacy over all."

Regardless of how we understand the sequence of these events, Jesus Himself tells us the end of the story: He will come on the clouds with great power and glory, gathering His elect. That’s our hope—no matter how chaotic the world seems.

II. The Visible Return of Christ

It says “They will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." They refers to who? The elect from verse 22. In Mark, Jesus’ favorite title for Himself is “Son of Man”. This is a direct call back to Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

The truth is that Jesus’ kingdom is public, it’s visible, and it’s final. All things in this world are going to pass away. Everything. Jesus’ disciples clearly understand that He is talking about Himself here but they didn’t understand what He meant. But the son of Man title that Jesus has is one of royalty, whether it’s “authority on earth to forgive sins” or “lord of the Sabbath” or “coming in glory”. So this is the son of man establishing His universal and everlasting dominion. It’s not like the Roman Empire, its capitol is not on earth, it’s the throne room of Heaven.

Now, with this verse there are several different views: Premillennialists believe this is the literal return of Christ before a 1,000-year reign on earth. Amillennialists see this as the final return of Christ at the consummation of history, marking the final judgment. Postmillennialists see Christ’s kingdom advancing in history, culminating in His return after a long period of gospel triumph.

But Two things we can agree on: 1) Christ’s return is certain. He will come again to rule and reign physically. Actually. So let’s live like He can come back at any moment busying ourselves with ministry, Gospel proclamation, prayer, worship, and the study of the Word. 2) Jesus is the focal point of redemption. Our future is not simply being in heaven, its having Jesus forever. The joy of heaven is not a place it’s a Person.

Augustine wrote, 'He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor he who says it is near, but he who… waits for Him with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.' In London in 1194: a king, long thought lost, stepped ashore in Sandwich England. It was quiet due to political turmoil between King Richard’s brother, John and the self-proclaimed Emperor Henry VI. As Richard the Lion heart drew closer to London word began to spread that their warrior king had returned unexpectedly! The people cheer, banners wave, flowers are hung, and church bells ring through the air! King Richard’s back to claim his throne. Christ’s return will dwarf that—a King distant yet never lost, held with great affection by His people Who is greeted not just by a city, but by all creation.

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Also in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

And this is a promise that He will return! Just as the sun will rise tomorrow, Christ will return in glory—visible to all. This truth isn’t meant to spark fear, but to fuel our hope and urge us to live faithfully until that day.

III. The Gathering of the Elect

Jesus said ”He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds." The culmination of redemptive history is when God’s people are fully united with God in Christ. We know that the elect are those chosen from before the foundation of the world according to Ephesians 1:4-5

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Imagine a couple walking into an orphanage filled with children longing for a home. They’ve researched, prayed, and chosen one child to adopt before even meeting her. They arrive with her name already on the papers, ready to bring her into their family—not because she earned it, but because they loved her first. That’s election: God chose us ‘before the foundation of the world’, not for our merits, but His love."

But also, you must know that the elect, those who trust in Christ, are secure. He will not lose His people. John 6:39

John 6:39 ESV

39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

But notice that this is also a call to missions around the world. You see, Christians are called to indiscriminately love and reach the lost. So many are focused on when Christ will come or are paralyzed by such fear of what the tribulations may be like that they forget that God has saved them and is coming back as our deliverer to fulfill His promise to receive us to Himself.

The elect are Christians from all over the world from innumerable tribes and tongues. They come from different denominations and traditions and yet we are unified by faith in Christ Jesus. So trust in God’s sovereignty and remain faithful to proclaiming the gospel.

Head– God wants you to know that Christ’s return will be a definitive, glorious event, gathering His people.

Christ’s return isn’t a vague hope or a distant maybe—it’s the certain, climactic end of history. Mark 13:26 says He’ll come ‘with great power and glory,’ visible to all, undeniable. It’s definitive—no loose ends, no rival kings. And it’s purposeful: He’s gathering His elect, those He chose before time, from every corner of the earth. This isn’t chaos; it’s God’s plan unfolding perfectly. Think of a conductor raising his baton for the final note—every instrument, every voice, perfectly timed. That’s what you need to know: Jesus is the sovereign finale of all things.

Heart– God wants you to believe that you can rest in Christ’s sovereign rule over history and His promise to return.

God doesn’t just want your head nodding—He wants your heart at peace. History’s a mess—wars, disasters, brokenness—but Jesus reigns over it all. Daniel 7:14 promises His ‘dominion is everlasting,’ and He’s steering it to His return. You can rest because He’s not slow; He’s patient, wanting more people to repent. Believe His promise: He will come back for you. If you’re His, you have been redeemed and your name is written in the book of life—no storm can erase it. Let that sink in: your future’s secure not because of you, but because of Him.

Hand – God wants you to live in readiness, proclaim the gospel, and endure in faith.

Live ready—Jesus said He’ll come ‘like a thief’, so don’t coast. Busy yourself with what matters: prayer, worship, studying His Word. Proclaim the Gospel—Mark 13:27’s ‘four winds’ means His elect are everywhere, and you’re the lifeguard throwing the buoy. Don’t guess who’s elect; share Christ with all. And endure—tribulation’s real, but like those Navy SEALs, you’ve got hope pushing you through. Your hands aren’t idle; they’re building for a King who’s coming soon.