Why Did Jesus Say that the Lord Will Come on the Clouds?

There are two reasons why Jesus prophesied that the Lord will return on the clouds.

First, it was to prevent the delusions of antichrists from creating confusion among believers. If Jesus revealed plainly that he would return through a physical birth, then it would have been impossible to prevent false messiahs from causing great confusion.

Since Jesus emerged as the Messiah from a humble background, anyone from any social stratum with a certain level of spirituality could claim to be his Second Advent and dazzle the world with a great delusion.

Fortunately, since most Christians have expected Christ to return on the clouds and have fixed their gaze upon the sky, this turmoil has been largely avoided. Now, however, since the time is full, the truth that Christ will return through a physical birth must be revealed.

Second, it was to encourage Christians who were walking a difficult path of faith. There are other occasions when Jesus gave paradoxical words to encourage his followers to accomplish God’s Will as rapidly as possible.

For example, he said, “Truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes” (Matt. 10:23). This led his disciples to believe that the Second Advent would take place in the near future.

When Jesus told Peter of his approaching martyrdom, Peter asked him what would become of the disciple John. Jesus replied, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:22) Jesus also said, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matt. 16:28). These sayings led the disciples to think they would meet the returning Jesus in their lifetime.

The hope of Jesus’ imminent return inflamed the zeal of his disciples and gave them the strength to overcome persecution by Judaism and the Roman Empire.

Encouraged by the ardent hope of the Second Advent, they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) and established the early Christian Church, even amidst great adversity.

Jesus wanted to inspire and encourage his disciples, who would be carrying a heavy cross. For this reason, he prophesied that he would come on the clouds in the power and glory of God and accomplish everything at lightning speed.