Will Jesus come in the clouds? What does Revelation 1:7 mean?

TL;DR:

Jesus ascended in the clouds and will return in the clouds, and every eye will see Him. Jesus’ return calls believers to live with readiness, prioritize righteousness, and focus on eternal matters.

The Bible teaches that Jesus will return in the clouds, as prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments. Daniel 7:13-14 describes the Messiah coming with the clouds in divine authority, which Jesus affirmed in Matthew 24:30 and Mark 14:62. Revelation 1:7 declares that every eye will see Him when He comes, and Acts 1:9-11 confirms that He will return the same way He ascended—with the clouds. Jesus’ return calls believers to live with readiness, choosing righteousness, sharing the gospel, and focusing on eternal priorities. Knowing He will come as promised, we are to live in faith, love sacrificially, and remain steadfast in our mission.

from the old testament

Several Old Testament prophecies mention God or the Messiah coming on the clouds. Daniel 7:13-14 prophesies the Messiah’s divine authority and connects to Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:30 and Mark 14:62 about coming on the clouds.
Psalm 104:3 states that God makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. This emphasizes God’s majesty and dominion, His presence and power.
God coming on a swift cloud in judgment is seen in Isaiah 19:1.

from the new testament

As Jesus was being tried before His crucifixion, He told the high priest, elders, and scribes, "… But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64). This statement greatly upset the high priest who declared that Jesus must be put to death because of it.
Returning on clouds offers a parallel to the description Luke writes about Jesus’ ascension into heaven in Acts 1:9-11: "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" Just as Jesus ascended with clouds, so, too, will He return "with the clouds."
At the beginning of Revelation, John describes this scene as Jesus returns: "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).

implications for today

Living in expectation of Jesus' return shapes how we prioritize our lives. If He is coming on the clouds for all to see, we should live each day as though He could return at any moment. This means choosing integrity when faced with a tempting shortcut, extending grace to someone who wronged us, and sharing the gospel even when it feels uncomfortable. Just as the disciples were told to focus on their mission rather than staring into the sky (Acts 1:11), we are called to actively live out our faith while waiting for Jesus. Keeping our hearts fixed on His return shifts our perspective—we invest in eternal things, love sacrificially, and stand firm in our faith, knowing that one day, He will come just as He promised.

understand

Jesus will return in the clouds, as prophesied in Scripture.
Jesus’ return will be visible to all.
When Jesus returns in the clouds, He will come in judgment.

reflect

How does the promise of Jesus' return in the clouds impact how you live each day?
Where do you need to prioritize eternal matters over temporary concerns?
What steps can you take to live with readiness, knowing Jesus may return at any moment?

engage

How do the Old Testament prophecies about God coming on the clouds help us understand the significance of Jesus’ future return?
What does it mean for believers to focus on their mission while waiting for Jesus’ return?
How can we encourage others to live in anticipation of Jesus’ return?