Revelation 1:7-8

February 1, 2025 • Steve Torres

Text (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. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.””

Greek Language Solecisms

The Greek text of Revelation is known for its Semitic influence and occasional grammatical irregularities. In Revelation 1:7-8:

ἔρχεται (present tense): The phrase “ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν” (“he is coming with the clouds”) uses the present tense (ἔρχεται) rather than the future (ἐλεύσεται) to emphasize the certainty of Christ’s coming. While not a solecism, this is a stylistic choice reflecting prophetic immediacy.
πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς αὐτὸν ὄψεται: The accusative pronoun “αὐτὸν” (him) is used with the future middle verb “ὄψεται” (“will see”), which typically takes the accusative for the object seen. However, the phrase “every eye” (nominative: πᾶς ὀφθαλμός) is followed by “αὐτὸν” (accusative), which some argue is awkward. This may reflect John’s Semitic syntax (cf. Zechariah 12:10 LXX).
ὁ πρικήσας: The aorist participle “ὁ πρικήσας” (“those who pierced”) lacks an explicit subject, but contextually refers to Israel (cf. John 19:37) and/or humanity collectively. No solecism here, but the phrase assumes prior knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Overall, the passage’s grammar is unconventional but intentional, reflecting John’s apocalyptic style and theological emphasis.

Key Scriptural Cross-References

Daniel 7:13-14: “One like a son of man” coming with clouds.
Zechariah 12:10: Mourning for “him whom they have pierced.”
Matthew 24:30: Christ’s return with power and great glory.
Luke 21:20-24: Jesus’ prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction.
John 19:37: Fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10 in Christ’s crucifixion.
Acts 1:9-11: Jesus’ ascension and promised return.
Revelation 20:11-15: Final judgment after the millennial age.

Interpretations Through Eschatological Lenses

1. Amillennialism

View: Christ’s reign is spiritual and present (Rev. 20:1-6 is symbolic). His “coming” (v. 7) is a single, final event coinciding with judgment and the eternal state.
Explanation:

“Coming with the clouds” (v. 7) echoes Daniel 7:13-14 and Matthew 24:30, emphasizing Christ’s divine authority and final victory.
“All tribes will wail” (v. 7) signifies universal recognition of guilt at His return (Zechariah 12:10-14).
“Alpha and Omega” (v. 8) stresses God’s sovereignty over all history, denying a literal millennial kingdom.

Theologians: Augustine (City of God), G.K. Beale (Revelation: A Shorter Commentary), Anthony Hoekema (The Bible and the Future).

2. Historic Premillennialism

View: Christ returns before (pre-) a literal millennium (Rev. 20:4-6), inaugurated after tribulation.
Explanation:

“Coming with the clouds” (v. 7) is a physical return to establish His kingdom on earth (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
“Those who pierced him” (v. 7) includes both Jews (Zechariah 12:10) and Gentiles (Romans 11:25-26) who reject Him.
The “Almighty” (v. 8) will judge evil and inaugurate His millennial reign.

Theologians: George Eldon Ladd (A Commentary on the Revelation of John), John Calvin (modified premillennial leanings), N.T. Wright (Surprised by Hope).

3. Dispensational Premillennialism

View: Christ returns after a seven-year tribulation to establish a literal 1,000-year kingdom, with Israel restored nationally (Rev. 20:1-7).
Explanation:

“Every eye will see him” (v. 7) includes a literal, global visibility at the Second Coming (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Zechariah 14:4).
“All tribes will wail” (v. 7) refers to unbelieving nations mourning their defeat (Matthew 24:30).
“Alpha and Omega” (v. 8) affirms Christ’s eternal deity and role in fulfilling covenants (e.g., Abrahamic, Davidic).

Theologians: John Walvoord (The Revelation of Jesus Christ), Charles Ryrie (Dispensationalism Today), Tim LaHaye (Left Behind series).

4. Postmillennialism

View: Christ returns after (post-) a golden age of gospel triumph (the “millennium” as a long period of Christian dominance).
Explanation:

“Coming with the clouds” (v. 7) is a future event following gradual global conversion (Matthew 28:18-20; Psalm 110:1).
“All tribes will wail” (v. 7) describes residual opposition finally judged at Christ’s return.
“Who is to come” (v. 8) implies God’s plan unfolds progressively through history, culminating in victory.
Theologians: Jonathan Edwards (History of Redemption), R.J. Rushdoony (Thy Kingdom Come), Greg Bahnsen (Victory in Jesus).

5. Partial-Preterist Postmillennialism

View: This framework synthesizes partial preterism (many prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, e.g., the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70) with postmillennial optimism (the gospel will gradually triumph, leading to a golden age before Christ’s final return). Revelation 1:7-8 is seen as having dual fulfillment: judgment on Israel (AD 70) and a future, global consummation.
Explanation

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds” (v. 7):
- Partial-preterists connect this to Christ’s judgment on Jerusalem in AD 70, fulfilling Daniel 7:13-14 (“Son of Man” receiving dominion) and Matthew 24:30 (judgment “within this generation”; Matt. 24:34). The “clouds” symbolize divine judgment (cf. Isaiah 19:1; Ezekiel 30:3), not literal clouds.
- Postmillennialists also anticipate a future, literal return after the gospel’s global triumph (Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
“Those who pierced him” (v. 7):
- Refers primarily to Jewish leaders and generations complicit in Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:37; Zechariah 12:10). Their judgment occurred in AD 70 (Luke 21:20-24), fulfilling Jesus’ warning (Matt. 23:36-38).
- Yet, the mourning of “all tribes” (v. 7) also anticipates final accountability for all nations at Christ’s ultimate return (Revelation 20:11-15).
“Alpha and Omega” (v. 8)**:
- Emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all history, including past judgments (AD 70) and the future culmination of His kingdom. The title “Almighty” (παντοκράτωρ) underscores His power to orchestrate history toward gospel victory (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 11:25-26).

Synthesis: The partial-preterist postmillennial view distinguishes between already-fulfilled judgment (e.g., AD 70) and not-yet-fulfilled consummation. Revelation 1:7-8 bridges these: Christ’s judicial “coming” in history (v. 7) prefigures His final return (v. 8), ensuring God’s plan unfolds through gospel triumph, judgment on rebellion, and ultimate restoration. This lens harmonizes the urgency of first-century prophecy with long-term optimism for Christ’s reign.

Theologians: Kenneth Gentry (He Shall Have Dominion), R.C. Sproul (The Last Days According to Jesus), David Chilton (Days of Vengeance).

Key Takeaway

Each eschatological framework prioritizes different aspects of these texts, but all affirm Christ’s ultimate victory and divine identity.

Bibliography

1. Greek Language and Syntax in Revelation

Beale, G.K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Aune, David E. Revelation 1–5. Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 52A. Dallas: Word Books, 1997.
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Swete, Henry Barclay. The Apocalypse of St. John. 3rd ed. London: Macmillan, 1911.

2. Amillennialism

Augustine. The City of God. Translated by Henry Bettenson. New York: Penguin Classics, 2003.
Beale, G.K. Revelation: A Shorter Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.
Hoekema, Anthony A. The Bible and the Future. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
Hendriksen, William. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1967.

3. Historic Premillennialism

Ladd, George Eldon. A Commentary on the Revelation of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.
Wright, N.T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. New York: HarperOne, 2008.
Blomberg, Craig L. A Handbook of New Testament Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.
Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1960.

4. Dispensational Premillennialism

Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1966.
Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism Today. Chicago: Moody Press, 1965.
LaHaye, Tim, and Jerry B. Jenkins. Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1995.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1964.

5. Postmillennialism

Edwards, Jonathan. The History of Redemption. Reprint, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2003.
Rushdoony, R.J. Thy Kingdom Come: Studies in Daniel and Revelation. Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1998.
Bahnsen, Greg L. Victory in Jesus: The Bright Hope of Postmillennialism. Texarkana, AR: Covenant Media Press, 1999.
Gentry, Kenneth L. He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology. 3rd ed. Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1997.

6. Partial-Preterist Postmillennialism

Gentry, Kenneth L. Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation. Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1989.
Sproul, R.C. The Last Days According to Jesus. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000.
Chilton, David. Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Fort Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1987.
Mathison, Keith A. Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1999.