The Son Already Returned
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.
For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels. Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God's Kingdom come with power.
The writers of Matthew and Mark go on to talk about the Transfiguration, which is why I’ve included the context of what Yeshua was talking about: coming back in power and glory, with angels. That’s not the Transfiguration, nor was this fulfilled at Pentecost.
Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him.
Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.
It is true that in the Aramaic, the word for “generation” can also mean “tribe” or “people”. This verse is included in this study for completeness; and besides, we do know from the rest of this study that “this generation” really was the correct meaning here, and not “this tribe”.
After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will be with a flood, and war will be even to the end. Desolations are determined. He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the decreed full end, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.
Here we see that the desolating sacrilege and the one-week tribulation were fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem (“the city and the sanctuary”) after the crucifixion (“an anointed one shall be cut off”). It is interesting to cross-reference this with Revelation 12:14-15, which was another prophecy about the same time (and which also mentions a flood):
Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.
For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and all who work wickedness will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up, says YHWH of Armies, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall. You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, says YHWH of Armies. Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of YHWH comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
This short chapter is an amazing fulfilled prophecy. Here we can clearly see the coming of Elijah associated with the “day of the Lord”. This was fulfilled in John the Baptist. “Leaping like calves from the stall” reminds us of the disciples when Yeshua sent them out. “You shall tread down the wicked” was fulfilled in Matthew 10:1:
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand [near]!
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
He said to me, “These words are faithful and true, The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon. Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
The word “soon” is Strong’s G5035:
G5035 (Strong) ταχύ tachu takh-oo’
Neuter singular of G5036 (as adverb); shortly, that is, without delay, soon, or (by surprise) suddenly, or (by implication of ease) readily: - lightly, quickly.
Note that there is no Scriptural basis for the “suddenly” definition. Confirm it for yourself with a concordance!
He said to me, “Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.”
Contrast this with Daniel 12:4. It seems that Revelation was written for the generation that received it.
But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.
A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.
Actually, this is probably talking about the resurrection.
“You see all of these things, don't you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
I have heard claims that the disciples were asking three separate questions: when will the temple be destroyed, what will be the sign of Yeshua’s coming (or presence), and what is the sign of the end of the age? After this Bible study, however, we can see that these three things were to happen around the same time.
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” “I am,” said Jesus. “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.