In Like Manner
Let’s begin by reading Acts 1:11
This Scripture fits perfectly within the AD 70 framework for the return of the Lord Jesus. The Old Covenant usage of the cloud coming of God always symbolized divine presence in judgment.
For example, Isaiah 19:1. This is clearly a spiritual, yet actual coming of the Lord on a cloud to judge Egypt. He wasn’t coming in a physically visible body or cloud. Read also: Psalms 18:8-12, 97:2, 104:3, Joel 2:1-2, Nahum 1:2-3, Zephaniah 1:14-15
The return of Jesus in AD 70 was neither upon a physical cloud nor in a physical body. It was a spiritual coming, yet real and actual. Matthew 24:30
Jesus came in the flesh the first time and in the spirit the second time, and yet it was the same Jesus. John 1:1-2, 14, Revelation 19:13, 2 Corinthians 5:16
“In like manner” is an adverbial phrase which does not modify or describe the noun “Jesus” as in appearance. “In like manner” modifies the verb phrase “shall so come” and refers to Jesus in the clouds.
John and others saw Jesus ascend in a cloud. In 1 John 3:2, John said it had not yet been revealed what they would be like when Jesus returned. Acts 1:9 does not demand a physical cloud or body of Jesus. The ascension was private, to a group of eleven men locally confined to Mt. Olivet near Jerusalem.
To literally be “in like manner” would demand a private, locally confined return of Jesus to the same eleven men. Matthew 24:30 & Revelation 1:7
Daniel said in Daniel 7:13-14 that Jesus would come in the clouds to set up His Everlasting Kingdom. Daniel said that this would happen during the fourth world kingdom of the Roman Empire. Daniel 7:22-28
Acts 1:9-11 must be governed by the time statements which are applicable to all “coming again” passages. It was promised for that first century generation. Matthew 16:27-28, 24:3. 27. 30, 34 It was near or at hand. Romans 13:11-12, Philippians 4:5, James 5:8, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 1:3, 22:6, 10, 12
It was the same Jesus who was crucified, who also ascended and who was coming in the clouds. Revelation 1:7 “In like manner” yet not seen physically, but spiritually discerned is in complete harmony with the Word of God. Romans 6:5 references “likeness” of His death…... “likeness” of His resurrection.
Let’s examine “Cloud comings” and the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the most misunderstood Scriptures referring to the Return of Jesus is Matthew 24:30.
This is not about the clouds in the atmosphere, but rather the use of the language of divine imagery. For first century people, Jesus coming on the clouds was not a claim to come visibly to the human eye.
Understanding this, we can see Jesus coming again in the events of the Roman Jewish War of AD 67 to AD 70. He was not seen physically. “The day of Lord” in the Old Testament became the day of Christ in the New Testament. 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Peter 3:10
When we consider that the New Testament was written mainly by Jewish authors to a predominately Jewish audience, we realize that we must seek to understand how “cloud coming” language was used and understood by the Jews. The Old Testament is the basis of Jewish culture. We find the concept of God “coming on clouds” was part of their language.
God was never seen on clouds. Jesus said He would come in judgment as His father came in judgment. John 5:17-22, Matthew 16:27-28, Revelation 22:12
Apocalyptic language is the use of words describing the foreboding or imminent disaster and final doom and judgment of God against the enemies of His Covenant people.
Apocalyptic language is physical words which symbolize spiritual realities. Examples of this can be found in the following Scriptures: Isaiah 19:1, Jeremiah 4:13, Zephaniah 1:14-15, Psalms 97:2, Revelation 14:14-16, Psalms 68:34, Ezekiel 30:18-19, Lamentations 2:1
In all these examples of “cloud coming” language, God Himself was never seen by the physical eye coming on physical clouds up in the atmosphere.
This pattern, which was established in the Old Testament, is the same way Jesus would come in the New Testament. Jesus was coming in judgment “in like manner”. We are all familiar with the fact that the return of Jesus was to be with clouds.
Lets have a look at some scriptures that give us an example of Cloud Coming language.
Revelation 1:7
1 Thessalonians 4:17
Matthew 26:63-64
Joel 2:1-2
Deuteronomy 5:22
Jeremiah 4:13-14
Ezekiel 34:12
For a more in depth look into this subject please see our teaching: Cloud Comings
Conclusion
In Biblical language, “clouds” are symbolic of God’s wrath and judgment against the enemies of His people.
It never denoted physical clouds up in the atmosphere. Many times, God used the actions of human armies to bring His “clouds” of judgment.
This pattern is truly established in the Old Testament. Through the use of the Roman armies, Jesus came “in like manner” to judge in the New Testament.
