Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
The environment that includes the clouds in our atmosphere is part of what I call "heaven."What does that mean? Do you think there are clouds in heaven like the clouds we see in the earth's atmosphere?
"They?" The "clouds" don't bring anybody unless via personification.Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
My version reads, 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.When it says "they brought him near before him" who do you think "they" are? It implies that they are previously mentioned. Who else can "they" be except for the previously mentioned "clouds of heaven" that Jesus comes with?
The *descent* from heaven is implied when one "comes" back to earth from whence he left. If he comes from the clouds it is because he left and was covered with clouds. He was to return in the same way he left, revealed from the clouds and returning to earth.There is no mention there of Him coming down from heaven.
I can only speculate. The vision of his receiving authority may be coupled with his Return to show that he is bringing God's Kingdom to bear on the earth. The same thing is shown in the book of Revelation where Jesus' Coming is viewed as a prolepsis, and then later, a vision of heaven is shown giving Jesus the authority to come back to earth and establish God's Kingdom.He is portrayed as being brought before God the Father. Why would He need to be brought before God the Father in the future when He has been at the right hand of the Father since His ascension?
Every time the NT shows the Son of Man coming with the clouds it is a "descent from heaven," and a "coming to earth." Being "brought before the Father" is obviously the introduction to this event, which is being shown as a prolepsis.Nowhere does the NT portray His coming with the clouds of heaven down from heaven after first being brought before God the Father.
And so, the vision of his appearance before God is not necessarily in sequence with Christ's arrival on the earth. Yet, it is still part of his Return.
It could be a review of his authority, as received at Christ's Ascension. But much more, this is no longer "legal papers" allowing this Return. It is a document indicating the *time* of his return.Again, He has been in God the Father's presence since His ascension, so there would be no need for Him to be brought to God the Father in the future.