The Sign of the Son of Man Ps 105:23-38; Zech 12:10-14; Rev 1:1-8; Matt 24:3, 15-31
Introduction https://youtu.be/mOF-k_UbCQ8
Today is the last of the series on signs of the End and the emphasis I have placed each week on the strange, unexpected character of the signs sent by God comes to a final climax in what Jesus calls “the sign of the Son of Man”[1]. “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt 24:30). This prophecy occurs in a context[2] that names many signs: wars, famine, earthquakes, persecution, betrayal, lawlessness, false prophets and astronomical omens. Since nearly all these “signs”, natural[3] or otherwise, occur throughout the ages[4], they are a reminder to every generation[5] of the End coming “soon”[6] at the Return of Christ for to wind up his creation in justice the Creator and Judge must appear in person[7]. This is prophetically spoken of in our Zechariah reading for today when God says, “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced[8], they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zech 12:10). The apostle John, who was close to the cross (John 19:26) interprets the spear wounding of the corpse of Christ by a Roman soldier as fulfilling this scripture (John 19:37). The same Zechariah reading is used at the start of the book of Revelation describing the shock to the world[9] at the Return of Christ, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Rev 1:7). It is the once wounded Jesus who will return visibly triumphant on the clouds of heaven (cf. Dan 7:13; Ps 104:3). This combination of weakness and strength is the final revelation of the character of God.
Matthew 24[10]
Though Jesus lists many signs of his future Coming as Judge, since they are “great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11) they cannot be understood by earthly minded people[11]. Let me use of very contemporary illustration. When the disabled man recently washed out to sea by the tsunami off Tonga spent 27 hours in the water and went under 8 times, testified, “I had my faith in God he would save me”.[12], we see no evidence of people repenting on the basis of his testimony. Whilst every day the “wrath of God is being revealed from heaven” (Rom 1:18), no matter what dreadful pain it causes, it can never, without gospel grace[13], turn people back to God[14]. It’s not that people are stupid, it’s a case of spiritual darkness[15]. Let me try to explain this from the book of Revelation. In Revelation[16] there are two classes of human beings distinguished by where they are said to draw out the meaning of their lives[17]. There are those who “dwell on earth”[18] and who naturally understand “earthly things” (John 3:12)[19], these are the vast majority of our family, friends and neighbours. Then there is a group who understand “heavenly things” because they draw the meaning of their life from Jesus[20]. As God’s children we alone can understand the ultimate meaning of the signs given to humanity from heaven.
The last sign God gives in (saving) history is nothing less than the sign of a crucified and risen God. This sign expounds the meaning of all the other signs ever given by God.[21] “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt 24:30)
In calling this “the sign of the Son of Man” Jesus makes it clear that this is the sign that brings to an end the need for any more signs because with it the complete comes and the incomplete passes away (1 Cor 13:10). This sign is perfectly cumulative and conclusive[22] for all the words the Bible uses to describe the unveiling of the identity of Christ are concentrated at this point; “the sign of the Son of Man” is the unveiling[23] manifestation[24] and most intense personal presence[25] of Jesus.
That “Son of Man” is a very special title is indicated by the fact that in the Gospels it is used only by Jesus of himself[26] and is his most common way of talking about himself[27]. In the Old Testament the expression has a wide range of meanings, it can simply mean “a human being[28], or humans in their weakness[29], there is however one very different use, Daniel records a vision of a “super-human” figure. ““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.” (Dan 7:13-14). Jesus drew all these uses together in prophecies about his own future when he proclaims that “the Son of Man” must be rejected, crucified and then rise from the dead (Mark 8:31; 9:12, 31; 10:33,34, 10:4)[30]. “Son of Man” uniquely[31] embraces a life “crucified in weakness”[32] but living “by the power of God” (2 Cor 13:4)[33]. In God’s justice the Son of Man must receive all power and glory because he is the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the whole world (1 John 2:2) and therefore worthy to rule and reign over the universe forever[34].
The sign of the Son of Man is the sign to end all signs because it is the Lord himself revealed as the living embodiment of all that all the other signs have pointed to[35]. It is the coming of the final reality[36]. Jesus will come with the “clouds of heaven” as the “radiance of the glory of God” (Heb 1:3) for which all things were made[37]. It is a coming with “power[38] and great glory”[39] to complete God’s eternal plan. The universe will be made perfectly new (Matt 19:28) as it is “baptised” in the power which took Jesus from death into resurrection[40] from humiliation to glorification (Phil 2:5-11). Jesus pronounced, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matt 24:35) because all that now exists must be removed to make room for “a new heaven and a new earth” (Isa 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1) built out of his own glory, a glory in God far greater than anything in the first perishable creation[41]. When Jesus Returns, “he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt 24:31). This is an exciting promise for it means all of God’s people[42] from across space and time will come together in limitless joy[43] in the everlasting shelter of the arms of God in Christ (Rev 7:15).
Conclusion
The weirdest most scandalous, offensive and embarrassing sign in the Bible is “the sign of the Son of Man”[44]. It is because Paul had insight into this heavenly sign on the road to Damascus which utterly humiliated him[45] that he could testify with authority, “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor 1:25). He turned to Christ, but the revelation of the crucified and glorified God in Christ will overwhelm the nations so that they wail at the end of everything they had ever built their lives upon[46]. Since the “sign of the Son of Man” marks the end of this present fallen creation and the coming of the new creation it provokes in God’s chosen people to a daily “Hallelujah”. Or does such a thought offend the plans we have for our own lives and for those we love? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5) May none of us fail the test.
[1] Though some commentators see this as a reference to his exaltation to the Father in heaven at the time of the destruction of the Temple. Which is a valid way of interpreting Mark 14:62 in the light of Dan 7:13.
[2] The question which precipitates Jesus’ teaching in this chapter is, in response to Christ’s declaration about the Jerusalem Temple, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”, the disciples ask, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”” (v.3). In other words, the first part of the chapter is about the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The language of vv. 29-31, whilst symbolic and apocalyptic, most naturally refers to the Second Coming.
[3] Biblically, things like earthquakes would be seen as signs of a fallen world (Rom 8:18-22).
[4] And as such make predicting the time of the Second Coming impossible. Which it was not wrong, even if unwise, for me to hear taught categorically, almost 0 years ago, that Jesus was coming back imminently.
[5] Pandemics are included (Rev 6:8).
[6] “…the function of these is not primarily to signal the exact moment of the final phase, but to indicate the decrepitude of the old world, surviving on a precarious reprieve”. (H.Blocher)
[7] Principally for the vindication of his own reputation.
[8] The word “pierced” means, as with a sword, or something similar (Num 25:8; Judges 9:54; Zech 13:3). In Isaiah 53:5 it is used of the vicarious suffering of God’s Servant which involves a “piercing for our transgressions”.
[9] Whereas the Zechariah passage is about Israel.
[10] There is a connection between the signs of the End described in Matthew 24 and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Scandalous, love cold (24:10, 12)‖ disciples flee and Jesus denied by Peter (26:56, 69ff), watchfulness at end (24:42)‖ command to watch at Gethsemane (26:39ff; 27:46), treachery (24:10) ‖ Judas (26:14-16), cosmic signs (24:29) ‖ sun darkened (27:45), earthquake (24:7): earthquake (27:51). John can quote Jesus in calling the cross “the judgement of this world” (John 12:31).
[11] They are “spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14)
[13] Praise God, the greatest revelation is the power of the gospel to deliver people from the present and coming wrath (Rom 1:16-17; 1 Thess 1:10).
[14] Cf. “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 11 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.” (Rev 1:10-11)
[15] Jesus said, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20)
[16] Which despite its undeserved reputation is the final “revelation of Jesus Christ”(Rev 1:1) and so the key to interpreting all the precious signs in scripture.
[17] As Jesus taught, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25), “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15).
[18] Which in Revelation is shorthand for unbelievers, 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14
[19] With “minds set on earthly things”, “their end is destruction” (Phil 3:19).
[20] And can be said, even now, to “dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:6). Paul teaches that we have been raised and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 2:4-6), where our lives “are “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:1-4).
[21] This is perhaps clearest in how the 7, i.e. complete, signs in John’s Gospel point to the glory of his death and resurrection of Jesus. The water turned to wine in John 2 is specifically related to the hour of his glorification (v.11), the incident in the temple to the destruction and raising of his body (John 2:18-22), the sign of the bread looks forward to Jesus’ body broken for the world, as do the sayings about blood and water in chapters 6-7. The man born blind comes to confesses his faith in the Son of man (9:35-38), who will be lifted up on the cross and glorified (John 12:23; 13:31) the anointing at Bethany relates to his burial (12:7) and his entry into Jerusalem is understood by the disciples only after his glorification. All the Johannine signs are prophetic dramas of the exaltation on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Which is the consummation of Jesus’ life and work.
[22] It is the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:7, 13; Rev 1:1) which ushers in the “great white throne” Judgement from which “earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them” (Rev 20:11).
[23] apocalypsis (unveiling) – it points to the removal of those things which now obstruct our vision of Christ (1 Cor 1:7; 2 Thess 1:7; 1 Pet 1:7,13; 4:13).
[24] epiphaneia (appearance, manifestation) – Christ’s coming forth out of a hidden background with the rich blessings of salvation (2 Thess 2:8; 1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:1,8; Tit 2:13).
[25] parousia (presence) – the coming which precedes the presence or results in the presence (Matt 24:3,27,37; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thess 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:1-9; James 5:7-8; 2 Pet 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28.
[26] 81x, and never by the disciples or others about Jesus. Moreover, it appears in only 3 other places in the New Testament. Acts 7:56 – Stephen’s description of Jesus at God’s right hand. Rev 1:13; 14:14, citing Daniel 7:13; (Heb. 2:6 cites Ps.8.) These are all occasions of exceeding spiritual insight.
[27] 69x in the Synoptic Gospels and 12x in John.
[28] Num 23:9 ‘God is not a man that…..or a son of man that….’ cf. Psalm 8:4; 144:3; Job 25:6.
[29] Ezekiel is addressed as ‘son of man’ in this way (2:1,3,6,8; 3:1,4 etc).
[30] See also Mark 9:12, 31; 10:33,34.
[31] Whilst these things might be drawn together from the prophetic material across the Old Testament, at the time of Christ no one had an expectation that Messiah would combine these attributes.
[32] This is essential to his mission ‘to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).
[33] Cf. Mark 8:38; 13:26-27; Matt 25:31-46.
[34] So the drama described in Revelation 5:1-6 about who is “worthy” to direct the future course of the world. Only the Lamb standing as slain is worthy. The worthiness of the God revered in Rev 4 is unveiled in Rev 5.
[35]The Old Testament prophet himself is a sign, at times through his “sign acts”, of the coming humiliation and exaltation of Christ.
[36] “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev 21:21-23)
[37] That is, Jesus himself (Col 1:16).
[38] The manifestation of power is an essential dimension of the Second Coming (Matt 24:30; Mark 13:2; Phil 3:21; Rev 11:17; 12:10; 19:1)
[39] Isa 40:5; 60:1-2; 2 Thess 1:9
[40] Perhaps clearest in John, where the cross of Jesus is intimately linked with his exaltation. The “lifting up” of the Son of Man conveys a twofold meaning of being lifted on the cross and lifted to glory (John 3:13 –14; 8:28; 12: 23, 32 – 34).
[41] Which, wonderful as it is, must “pass away” with every trace of lost glory (Rev 21:4).
[42] This is the culmination of an Old Testament pattern, the glory of God will at the End draw in his people from afar (Isa 11:10ff; 49:6, 5, 22; 60:1ff)
[43] Isa 35:10; 51:11; 61:7; Jude 24
[44] Which is why, unless we share the humility manifest in this great sign, we will always be wrong about the details of the Second Coming. For no lesser reason than God himself will oppose our arrogance (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5).
[45] The description of Saul’s conversions, “suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:3-5), involves a descent form self-illumination to utter lowliness.
[46] Jesus spoke of this in dramatic terms about the end of those who built their lives on something other than his words, “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”” (Matt 7:27). Likewise, on a global scale, “another angel coming down from heaven…called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great… And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.” (Rev 18:1, 2, 9).