We may immediately think this verse refers to Christ’s return on the last great day (Acts 1:11). That day will surely come (Acts 17:30-31). But to apply it to the last day overlooks its immediate context and the broader context of the book. Christ gave John this revelation to show to the servants of Christ “things that must shortly take place” because “the time is near” (Rev. 1:1, 3). Jesus Christ is “the ruler over the kings of the earth,” a central truth borne out in The Revelation (17:14; 19:15-16). Yet, Christians were being persecuted unto death (even though Christ had loved them, redeemed them, and made them a kingdom of priests on earth, Rev. 1:5-6). The Revelation assures them He would execute judgment against their persecutors; They would be victorious in Him (Rev. 17-19; 18:20-24; 19:11-21). The expression, “coming with clouds,” is judgment language (as Jesus used in Matt. 24:29-30 of Jerusalem’s demise, cf. Isa. 19:1). He said, “They shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” There was no visible image of Jesus when Jerusalem fell. But its fall was evidence that the Son of Man rules in heaven and on earth. They would “see” the Son of Man coming in judgment against Jerusalem, which happened in A.D. 70. His heavenly reign and authority were on display for all to see (Mk. 13:26, 30; Matt. 26:64). Similarly, Revelation 1:7 refers to Christ’s judgment against the persecuting powers, the Roman empire (cf. Rev. 14:14-16). “The ruler over the kings of the earth” would soon execute His judgment, and it would be evident (“every eye will see Him”). “Even so, Amen.”
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44, NKJV)
Daniel had just given God’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. A great image depicting four successive world kingdoms, beginning with Babylon, was struck on its feet of iron and clay (the fourth kingdom, v. 40). The image was crushed by a stone of divine origin, which became a great mountain that filled the earth (Dan. 2:31-43). The superiority of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men is thus portrayed, as well as when it would come into existence. God’s kingdom would be “set up” in the “day of these kings” (of the fourth kingdom, v. 40-43). This occurred during the Roman Empire, the legs and feet of the image. Jesus came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk. 1:15). And, He said some would not die until they saw the kingdom come with power (Mk. 9:1). The kingdom of Daniel 2:44 is the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19). Unlike the kingdoms of men, God’s kingdom, the church, is “not of this world” (Jno. 18:36). It fills the earth, it cannot be destroyed by men, and it shall stand forever.