The Coming Of The Son Of Man

Jesus Christ spoke often of His return - usually referring to Himself as "the Son of man" (a term that originated before His human birth - see One Like A Son Of Man). The "transfiguration" event was a visual prophecy of Christ after His return when Moses and Elijah will have been resurrected (see Resurrections).

"^16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

^17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, ^17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. ^17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." (Matthew 16:28, 17:1-3 KJV)

"They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory"

In His Olivet prophecy (so-named because He made it while on the The Mount Of Olives), the Christ referred to Himself as "the Son of man."

"^24:21 For then shall be great tribulation [see The Great Tribulation], such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. ^24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. ^24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. ^24:24 For there shall arise False Christs, and False Prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. ^24:25 Behold, I have told you before.

^24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. ^24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ^24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the Eagles be gathered together.

^24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: ^24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in The Clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. ^24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet [see Feast Of Trumpets: The Return Of Christ], and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:21-31 KJV)

Many have incorrectly read these verses to mean a "rapture" (see The Raptures), but, like all of His other references to it, Christ was describing the first resurrection at the time of His return (see When Will You Be Judged?).

"^24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man [see Could Christ Return Tonight?], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. ^24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ^24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, ^24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ^24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ^24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ^24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (Matthew 24:36-42 KJV)

Jesus' testimony to the spiritually-blind (see Why Can't 'The Chosen People' See? and Paul's Blindness Lesson) and Biblically-unaware (e.g. see Resurrections, Angels and Spirits) religious council that He was the "Son of God" and "Son of man" (interestingly, they used the term "the Son of God," while He responded with "the Son of man") only infuriated them more (see The Torturers Of Christ).

"^26:63 But Jesus held his peace.

And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God [see Adjuration], that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

^26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

^26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. ^26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

^26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, ^26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?" (Matthew 26:63-68 KJV)

Fact Finder: Was Jesus Christ the "Son of God" and the "Son of Man"? How? Why?
See The Son Of God and The Adam Family