Let me present what might be the most serious contest to your predetermined notions. Christians tend to associate every New Testament (NT) mention of Jesus’ “Coming” as an indisputable reference to His Return at the future consummation of all things. For example, consider Matthew 24.30: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the people of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” An initial reading, reasonably, suggests that He is describing that very event. And since believers have yet to experience this Return, the Olivet Discourse (Chapter 24) must, necessarily, be interpreted with an entirely futuristic approach. However, if Scripture interprets Scripture, one might find a more unique use of the biblical phrase, “Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus’ language, in this verse, is a direct quote from Old Testament (OT) prophetic imagery in the book of Daniel: “there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him, then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.” (7.13-14). Here, Daniel is visualizing this man coming UP to God the Father, in heaven, Who will grant ...
