Revelation 1:7 kjv

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7 nkjv

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7 niv

"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen.

Revelation 1:7 esv

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Revelation 1:7 nlt

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him ?
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 7 Meaning

Revelation 1:7 is a profound declaration announcing the universal and unmistakable second coming of Jesus Christ. It assures believers of His certain return in divine power and glory, accompanied by clouds, signaling His sovereignty and ultimate triumph. This return will be visible to everyone, including those who rejected and crucified Him. Upon His manifestation, all the peoples of the earth, particularly those who have opposed Him or remained unbelieving, will mourn or wail—a lament born of recognition, regret, or dread in the face of His divine judgment or overwhelming truth. The concluding "Even so, Amen" powerfully affirms the absolute certainty and divine decree of this event.

Revelation 1 7 Context

Revelation 1:7 is presented immediately after John’s opening salutation and blessing, and his affirmation of Jesus Christ’s eternal glory. It functions as the first significant prophetic statement regarding Christ's Second Coming, setting a foundational theme for the entire book. It establishes the central character, Jesus, as the returning sovereign and judge, initiating the grand vision that follows. The context includes the persecution faced by early Christians under the Roman Empire, where the imagery of Christ’s glorious return served as a powerful source of hope and reassurance for the suffering, and a stark warning to the persecutors. The verse draws deeply from Old Testament prophecies, especially Daniel and Zechariah, presenting Christ's return not merely as an event but as a culmination of divine purpose, challenging any human claims to ultimate power or deity, such as the Roman Emperor cult.

Revelation 1 7 Word analysis

• Behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): This interjection demands immediate and urgent attention. It functions as a powerful, dramatic summons, often introducing something remarkable, certain, and of divine origin. It signals a divinely revealed truth that is about to be presented.
• he is coming (ἔρχεται - erchetai): This verb is in the present tense, a common feature in prophetic language known as the "prophetic present." It conveys not just future action but one that is absolutely certain, already as good as happening, and often with an emphasis on its imminence. It refers to the Second Coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ.
• with the clouds (μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν - meta tōn nephelōn): This imagery is deeply rooted in Old Testament divine manifestations. Clouds are consistently associated with God's presence, glory, power, and judgment (e.g., Exod 13:21; Lev 16:2; Psa 104:3; Isa 19:1). Critically, it echoes Dan 7:13, where "one like a son of man" comes with clouds to receive eternal dominion, strongly identifying Jesus with this powerful Messianic figure. It signifies a supernatural, visible, and glorious arrival.
• every eye will see him (πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς ὄψεται αὐτόν - pas ophthalmos opsetai auton): This emphasizes universal visibility. It is not a secret or metaphorical coming, but a globally observable event. There will be no escaping this revelation, confirming Christ's ultimate authority and breaking through all doubt and unbelief.
• even those who pierced him (καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν - kai hoitines auton exekentēsan): This is a direct quote from Zech 12:10 and referenced in Jn 19:37. It specifically points to the Jewish people responsible for His crucifixion, or symbolically, all humanity whose sins led to His suffering. It underscores the profound paradox that those who caused His initial suffering will be forced to behold Him in His glory, a moment of stark recognition.
• and all tribes of the earth (καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς - kai pasai hai phylai tēs gēs): This broadens the scope from a specific historical group (those who pierced Him) to encompass all human peoples and nations across the globe. The word "tribes" (phylai) here functions to include all ethno-linguistic groups. This indicates a global impact.
• will wail on account of him (κόψονται ἐπ' αὐτὸν - kopsontai ep' auton): This echoes Zech 12:10 again. "Wailing" or "mourning" signifies deep distress, lamentation, and grief. This mourning can be multifaceted: for some, it will be the lament of repentance and recognition of error; for others, it will be the wailing of dread and despair in the face of judgment for their rebellion and rejection.
• Even so (Ναί - Nai): A strong affirmation in Greek, meaning "yes, indeed" or "certainly." It echoes the divine resolve.
• Amen (Ἀμήν - Amēn): A Hebrew transliterated word meaning "so be it" or "truly." It seals the statement with divine authority and certainty, acting as an oath or an absolute declaration. Its double affirmation ("Nai, Amen") highlights the indisputable reality and immutability of the prophecy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Behold, he is coming: A divine proclamation emphasizing the certainty and visual nature of Christ's return. The immediate sense of "is coming" imbues the future event with an urgent reality for the first-century audience facing intense persecution.
• with the clouds: This imagery is potent. It connects Jesus' return directly to God's glorious presence (Shekinah) in the Old Testament, fulfilling prophetic types where divine interventions and judgments were accompanied by clouds. It is also the manner of His ascension (Acts 1:9-11), signifying continuity and divine power.
• every eye will see him: This signifies the universal revelation and undeniable nature of the Second Coming. It removes any possibility of it being a secret or spiritual-only event. All will witness His visible arrival, whether willingly or unwillingly.
• even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him: This phrase highlights divine justice and recognition. It specifically brings the historical context of the crucifixion to the forefront of Christ’s glorious return. The wailing underscores the different responses to this revelation – a grief potentially of conviction/repentance for those historically or spiritually involved in His suffering, or a terror/dread for those who stand in defiant opposition or unbelief. The phrase encapsulates judgment and sorrow across humanity.
• Even so, Amen: This concluding double affirmation acts as an unbreakable seal on the prophecy. It expresses the profound agreement and assurance that this divinely purposed event will, without fail, come to pass. It echoes a prayerful desire, but primarily declares certainty from God's perspective.

Revelation 1 7 Bonus section

• The prophetic present tense of "is coming" (erchetai) is characteristic of apocalyptic literature, emphasizing the event's certainty and fixed nature within God's decreed timeline, regardless of human perception of delay. It implies an unstoppable momentum towards the Parousia.
• The connection to Zech 12:10 reveals John’s profound awareness of the Old Testament prophetic tradition and his intent to show Jesus as its direct fulfillment. The "piercing" is physical in John's Gospel at the cross (Jn 19:34-37) and becomes emblematic of rejection by all who oppose Him throughout history.
• The theme of divine visibility, "every eye will see him," stands in stark contrast to secret societies or hidden revelations. It is a public, undeniable manifestation of ultimate truth and justice for all people.
• This verse serves as a potent warning against Roman imperial arrogance. While emperors might demand allegiance and portray themselves as divine, it is Jesus Christ who will return in supreme glory, rendering all earthly power and dominion obsolete, and facing judgment.

Revelation 1 7 Commentary

Revelation 1:7 immediately anchors the unfolding prophetic narrative in the certainty of Christ's physical, glorious, and universally witnessed return. John presents a Son of Man figure, fully aligned with the majestic, eternal King prophesied by Daniel, who descends in divine clouds. This isn't a return in humility like His first coming, but one marked by unmistakable power and glory, where His presence will pierce through all skepticism and unbelief. The direct reference to "those who pierced him" serves as a powerful historical echo and a theological fulcrum, reminding us that the suffering Christ will return as sovereign judge. Their wailing, along with that of "all tribes of the earth," symbolizes the collective recognition and regret or dread from humanity, who are either brought to repentance or condemned in His undeniable light. This single verse lays bare a core theological tension in Revelation: Christ is both the slain Lamb and the returning King, promising hope to the persecuted and demanding accountability from His enemies. The repeated "Even so, Amen" reinforces the immutable truth of this event, beckoning the reader to live in its anticipation. It is a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign control over history and the assured triumph of Christ's kingdom, urging believers to persevere and non-believers to prepare for His ultimate revelation.