BEHOLD HE COMETH

“BEHOLD HE COMETH….”
by Dr. Othello O. Caturan

Text: Revelation 1:3-7[3] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.[4] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.[7] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.[8] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.[9] I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.[10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,[11] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.[14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;[15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.[16] And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:[18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.[19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;[20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Book of Revelation is mainly focused on God’s Revelation of Jesus Christ to the whole world, openly, as King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s, ‘every eye shall see him’ in the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God. Revelation 1:7; 19: 15-162. This is the vision of the beloved apostle John in the island of Patmos during his exile at the time of the reign of Emperor Domitian in the midst of persecutions against the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was imprisoned for a worthy and highest cause- “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:93. The Book of Revelation then is the prophetic futuristic unveiling of the glory , majesty and power of the Almighty God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. When apostle John the Beloved was caught up into heaven and saw in a vision heaven opened; the four beasts and the twenty elders paying homage and casting their crowns at the feet that sitteth on the throne of heaven. These elders were saying: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:114. To the seven churches of Asia Minor during apostle John’s times, and to us true believers the Book of Revelation will certainly move us to “Behold He cometh with clouds” Revelation 1:7 and with confidence and reassurance of the Lord Jesus Christ’s certain promise- “Surely, I come quickly.” Revelation 22:20

DISCUSSION

“Behold He Cometh with Clouds”

1. This a blessed affirmation of conviction of what apostle John saw in a vision concerning the Son of man.Revelation 1: 7-16 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”a. The vision of John in the island of Patmos is no other than the Lord Jesus the Messiah, the Christ the anointed One, the Jesus of Nazareth who claimed to be the Son of man during His earthly ministry. Listen to the claims of the Lord as recorded by John the beloved disciple of the Lord:John 1: 49-51 “ Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”John 5:26-27 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”John 6:53 “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”John 12:23-24 “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”John 13:29-31- “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” b. Jesus Christ is the Son of Man who claims as the Alpha and the Omega, the King with His kingdom, the Almighty God who is coming!c. The title the Son of man is significant title on the part of the Lord because this speaks of very vital implications in regard to our faith in the Lord.First the title Son of Man speaks of the incarnation of Jesus Christ being sent from above showing to us sinners His voluntary condescension and humility to be identified with sinners, as a servant and His obedience even unto death. John 1:14; Philippians 2: 5-11
   Second the title is manifesting to us His authority and judgment. John 5:26-27 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”“For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”Third the title Son of Man tells us of His redemption for sinners to believe in His body and blood to have eternal life. John 6:53 “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”Fourth the title reveals of the glory of Christ based on His death on the cross of Calvary to pay for the sin-debt. This is glory of Christ dying on the cross for our sins because this displays the love of God to all sinners.John 12:23-24 “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”John 13:29-31- “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”c. The Son of man is the risen Christ who is coming again and must be proclaimed to the whole world as a witness and the end will come. Revelation 22: 7,12-13,16,20 “ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book….And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last….I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star…He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
2. This is wonderful challenge to true believers- to consider with earnestness and assurance that the Lord’s coming is certain and in truth.a. Behold He cometh is also the challenge of John the beloved to all followers of the Lord that His coming will certainly happen, no doubt about it. As the coming king promised in the last book of the Holy Bible: “….Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book… And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work be. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last….Surely I come quickly…” Revelation 22: 7, 12-13, 20b. Every one will see Him as the coming King with the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God to those who are His enemies, the enemies of the gospel of the kingdom. Revelation 19: 17-21c. Zechariah 12:10-14-“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.”d. John the beloved knows that we shall see Him face to face when He shall appear and be like Him. I John 3: 2 This is not his opinion and self knowledge by human wisdom but divine revelation: “we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him…”e. The challenge is actually for His followers to hang on and grip the precious promises of the Lord; that there will be no condemnation to those who believeth and trusteth in Him because of His precious promises. John 5:24-29 We know that there will be no condemnation among the true believers but that they have passed already from death unto life.f. He cometh because of His promises to be fulfilled by the Lord for us His children. Let us remember that all true believers are heirs of His promises. Galatians 3:29; Thus we are all true believers standing on the promises of God.1 John 2:24-29 “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”g. When we are challenged to behold that He is coming it means actually that His precious promises are the reasons for our blessed hope. Practically because of this hope there is the challenge to purity in the Christian life. I John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
3. This is the spiritual call to a great spiritual blessing to behold the prophetic coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in God’s word.a. Behold He cometh is the very reason of the coming blessings that are for the true believers. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3b. The very source of all spiritual blessing is Christ who is coming. The blessings of His coming are for those who will overcome the tests and trials in the Christian faith. These blessings are noted in the following verses:- Revelation 2:7-“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”-Revelation 2:17-“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”-Revelation 2:10-11-“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”- Revelation 2:26-28- “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule of them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.”-Revelation 3: 5-“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”-Revelation 3:12- “Him that overcometh will I make pillar in the temple of my God, and shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”-Revelation 3:21-“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”-Revelation 21:4,7-“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the formwer things are passed away…He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and shall be my son.”-Revelation 22:12-“And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”c. Behold He cometh with His blessings to all who will come to Him because of the invitation of the Lord: Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
4. This is the appealing exhortation of John to value the significance of written record of God’s revelation to mankind.a. Behold He cometh is John’s appeal to give due reverence and respect by obeying the written revelation of God. God commanded John to write to the seven churches what he is going to see in His visions in the island of Patmos concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and His dealings.b. The written record of God’s revelation will bring blessings because they are faithful and true. Revelation 22: 6-7 “ And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”c. The written record of God concerning His Son must be believed by men for this purpose that they may obey in faith and consequently will have the spiritual blessings . John 20:21
5. This is principal concern and importance of the local churches to focus on the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.a. To proclaim the risen Christ and His coming should be the greatest concern of every local church because this is the Great Commission of the Lord .b. Reasons:* It is commanded for the church to be a witness both local and foreign missions.* It is God’s way of saving people through preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.* It is God’s way of preserving His people from the apostasy of the end-times.* It is God’s way that we will experience His presence and His power.* it is God’s way of giving His people responsibility and opportunity to serve Him in building the kingdom of God in the hearts of men and in the future millennial kingdom.c. Disobedience to this command is disloyalty to the Lordship of Christ and could be the evidence that there is no salvation being experienced by the person.d. True salvation is with the obedience from the heart the doctrine or sayings of God as written and preserved in His inscripturated words. Romans 1:5; 6: 16-17; 16:26
6. This is a solemn strengthening power to sustain one in the midst of persecution for the cause of Jesus Christ and His word.a. Behold He cometh gives the believers strength to endure the task no matter what it takes because after all He is our strength. “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
   b. Behold He cometh gives hope even as death is impending in any situation because of the enabling power of the Spirit of grace. Ephesians 1:18-The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”c. Behold He cometh gives power, energy, and motivation to endure hardships in life as the reasonable service unto the Lord. Ephesians 1:19-23-“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.”d. Behold He cometh gives patience to our waiting for the Lord to come. James 5:7- “ Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
7. This is finally the blessed hope of true believers not to fear but be of courage and faithful to be a witness for Christ in life and in death.a. No need to fear but be of good cheer and be over-comers. John 16:33-“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The Lord who is our peace is coming, and He will overcome our fears and tribulations in this life if we keep trusting in Him no matter what.b. No need to be in love with the world because our hope is in the Blessed One who is coming. We love His glorious appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8- “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” We can never love the world because we are already captivated by His love: because He is the one who first captivated us to Himself. 1 John 4: 19- “We love him, because he first loved us.”c. No need to be desperate and hopeless because He is with us. Our hope in this life is Christ Jesus our Lord. There is no other hope that is true and the blessed one. Indeed He is our life in the language of the great apostle Paul. Colossians 3:1-4- “ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Colossians 1: 27-29

CONCLUSION

Behold He cometh! Lets us all be thrilled and be steadfast and be loyal to the Blessed One who is to come because “He loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5