“Every eye shall see Him.” Rev 1:7 Does this mean that every dead person from Adam till the coming of Jesus will be resurrected to see Jesus coming in glory, then the righteous will go meet Jesus in the air and everyone else will die?

Let us compare this Bible text with other Bible texts referring to the same event. Erroneous conclusions can be reached if one bases one’s understanding solely on only one Bible text.

Rev 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” NIV

Matt 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” NIV

Ezek 30:3 “For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.” NIV

All these texts have this in common:

+ They all talk about Jesus’ return.

+ People on earth will not be too happy about this event.

+ None of these texts refer to those who have accepted Jesus into their lives and are saved.

It’s interesting to note that in the Greek language of Revelation 1:7 “people of the earth” is referred to as “pásai hai fulaí teés gees” which literally means “all the tribes of the earth”. This is in sharp contact with “the tribes of Israel” (see Rev 7:4 “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” NIV and Rev 21:12 “On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.” NIV, which is referring to the saved Jews. The first group is terrified of Jesus’ return, the second group rejoices with this event.

“Those who pierced him” can also be found in John 19:36-37 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” NIV and both texts refer to Zech 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. NIV

The expression here refers not only to those who crucified Jesus literally on the cross, but also to those who have rejected Jesus and have identified themselves with the same spirit as Jesus’ murderers.

Now that we have a better understanding of what Revelation 1:7 is referring to, we can now deal with “every eye shall see Him”. What happens when Jesus returns for the wicked? Let us see what the Scriptures tells us:

2 Peter 3:7 “By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” NIV

Heb 9:27-28 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”NIV

2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” NIV

Rom 2:5-6 “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” NIV

It’s very clear from these texts that the ungodly will face judgment and punishment. But what about the ones who are already dead?

Rev 20:11-13 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.” NIV

The wicked dead will be resurrected for that event and will face judgment as well.

What will happen with the ungodly?

Rev 20:15 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” NIV

Not a pretty picture, isn’t it? It is still time for you to turn away from the certain destruction that is facing you. Turn away from your sins and come to Jesus. Accept Him into your life as your saviour and you will be saved from eternal doom. Please go to http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html and invite Him into your life. Enjoy His fellowship. He wants you to be His friend.

P. S. As for the resurrection of those who are saved, please read:

1 Cor 15:51-54 “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” NIV

1 Thess 4:15-18 “According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” NIV

Rob Chaffart

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The following scriptures, I believe should answer your question:

Revelation 20:1-10

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw throne on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5{The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.} This is the first Resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-Gog and Magog- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This further throws light to the faith we profess as a Christian. It is a peculiar faith and should be held in high esteem. We have a place where we are going after leaving this world. We are not animals without destination. We have hope and that hope is in Jesus who did not only died but resurrected and is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us with groaning that cannot be altered.

Answer: And now, dear brothers, I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not full of sorrow, as those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died – I Thessalonians 4:13-14

GENERAL FACTS ABOUT RESURRECTION:

When we are talking about resurrection generally there are some facts we need to know for clear understanding.

There are two main kinds of resurrection, which are the spiritual and the physical or bodily resurrection. Spiritual resurrection is that of the spirit: being quickened from death in trespasses and sins. This kind of resurrection causes one to be renewed in the glorious likeness of God as taught in Eph. 2:1-6; 5:14; 4:21-12; Col. 3:10. This takes place only in this life.

When physical death comes, all possibility of such spiritual resurrection has passed. Heb.9: 27

The physical resurrection is that of the body.

{b} There are two examples of bodily resurrection: one is temporary while the other is permanent through divine power to continue his mortal life.

Examples of this are clearly seen in both Old and New Testaments. 1 Kings 17:17-22; 11Kings 4; 18-35; Mt. 9; 23-25; Jn. 11: 38-44; Acts 9:36-41.

By permanent we mean people to be raised to immortality to life forever in their bodies.

This was exemplified by Christ and many Old Testament saints who resurrected after His resurrection. 1Cor. 15:1-23; Mt. 27:53. It is this permanent resurrection we are talking about.

GENTLE APPEAL UNTO SALVATION BEFORE TRIBULATION

Summarily, according to Revelation 20:5-15, there would be a thousand year of satanic government upon the earth. Those who would not go with the first resurrection (physical resurrection) would be given a mark called 666. At that time Satan would torment people, because you would buy and sell with the mark of the beast. That would be the identity Satan would give you to operate. He would have taken over the world. You know he is the ruler of this world. Only those who can endure such torment by the devil may be given opportunity to pass through to heaven. That is what the Bible calls, being saved through one’s blood. The time of grace would have passed…

Please don’t wait until time of the great tribulation. Don’t wait until the time of when Satan would give you mark 666 before you accept Jesus. It may not be possible for you to endure it. Take advantage of the grace of God released unto us through Jesus Christ and be born again today. You cannot stand the torment. Decide for Jesus today and REPENT!

If you need further help, please get back to me and I would be willing to share with you.

God bless you.

Rev Debo Adeyemo

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My understanding is this:

1) The rapture (Latin for caught up) can happen any time now. This is the first resurrection. Only those who are in Christ will go, the dead first, then the alive saints. At this point Christ appears in the air but does not come down to reign.

2) Then, after 7 years of tribulation Christ comes down to rescue those who are trapped in Jerusalem by Satan and his forces. This is when Christ comes down to take the throne from the anti-Christ (in-place-of Christ, by self appointment).

3) Then the second resurrection is of those who died without Christ.

4) Then the judgment of those in the second resurrection. Since these people wanted to be judged by their works, they are. And since every one of them fell short of God’s glory and sinned, BUT did not accept God’s grace, they are all thrown in to the lake of fire. (sin’s penalty is death –a second death)

5) Then those in the first resurrection and those who converted afterwards are checked for eternal fruits (work that helped bring souls along beside them) (or for making new eternal friends). If no fruit to be rewarded for, they still get to live with God forever, but have less responsibilities.

see Matthew 24 & 25 and Revelation 19 & 20 and 1 Corinthians 3 & 15

Todd Shilt

PS. and every knee will bow

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Regarding Rev. 1:7, “every eye shall see him” “also they which pierced him”

The book of Revelation clearly teaches that the dead in Christ shall rise first and the rest (unsaved) will remain in the grave until the thousand years is reached.

Based on this, “every eye” would mean every eye that is living at the time of the 2nd advent. This include all that have been raised from the grave and all that will be found “living” when He appears. Interestingly, included with those who will see Him in the clouds are those that had a special part in His crucifixion. This event might have some relationship with Dan. 12:2.

Ener Cabangis

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Dear brethrens,

When the bible talks of every eye here, it does not mean any eye even those of insects! It is the eyes of all those living at that time of His second coming. In Mathew 24:27, Christ links His coming with the appearing of a lightening. In verses 30, He talks of the nations seeing the Son of man appearing and mourning for they rejected Him. Every eye of any human being alive at the time of His second coming will see Him when He appears on the Sky to take His people home.

Those who will be resurrected, since the time of Adam and Eve, are the righteous dead (2 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The only wicked dead, who will be resurrected that time, will be those who pierced Him (either directly or those who after His resurrection violently opposed the truth about His ministry in Heaven. After they see Christ in His second coming they will be killed by the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8) Allow me to share with you a wonderful statement I found while searching the answer to this question.

“Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth. . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” Great Controversy 637

Other eyes of the wicked that refused the grace of God that brings salvation will see Him only after the 1000 years when they will be resurrected during the second resurrection.

On question we should be asking is this, will my eyes in great joy see Christ in His second coming or I will run away in great fear (Revelation 6:15-17).

May God bless you as you prepare for His Second coming.

Ezra K. Mingaine
Meru – Kenya

I like to compare our relationship with our Heavenly Father with our earthly parents. When I was young, my parents generally knew before I asked for anything, what my interests were and what hobbies I was involved with. This didn’t hinder me to talk to them, however. I would have missed an important aspect of my relationship with my parents if I never talked to them or shared requests I had on my mind. Communication is at the root of any relationship. Without communication of any sort, there can be no relationship, there can be no love.