Thanks for starting this thread. That verse, & the whole first chapter of Revelation, gives strong support for the coming of the Lord Jesus for the AD 70 destruction, according to his Olivet prophecy -
this generation shall not pass.... Revelation was written for John's
companions in tribulation.
The translation of that verse could also be -
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the land will wail[a] on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Land being the land of Israel. As Jesus prophesied:
Mat. 24:30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth [land] will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
My understanding is that Jesus & John are referring to the terror of the generation that rejected their Messiah & the Apostolic Gospel, when the see the fulfilment of his prophetic warnings.
From another thread -
Why ever should a belief that Jesus came in AD 70 for the purpose declared in his Olivet prophecy be a reason for sadly reflecting - "it's over and done with, nothing left (a very bleak position)."
We rejoice in that coming because -
Jesus kept his word then, despite the scoffers, so we can trust him for his many promises relating to his presence with us throughout this Gospel age. Hallelujah, Immanuel!
Jesus shouted FINISHED with his dying breath, & rent the temple veil from top to bottom. The Old Covenant, relying on "IF" obedience (
Exodus 19) was perfectly fulfilled in & by the Lord Jesus Christ, & a glorious New & Eternal Covenant in his blood was established, BUT the Jews repaired the veil & the old corrupt administration continued. Was Jesus mistaken?
Peter preached in power at Pentecost & in the years following, but despite many thousands believing in Jesus, the result was vicious persecution. The old system maintained its power & continued to dominate.
The glorious Messianic Gospel promises to Israel by the Old Covenant prophets were being rejected by Israel as a nation & by many Jews wherever the Gospel was preached. The Old Covenant continued, with a vengeance.
So it seemed to first century Christian Jews & Gentile converts that the glorious new Messianic age promised was not happening properly. Even 30 years after Calvary Peter wrote:
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’
While Jerusalem & the temple remained, the scoffers were vindicated.
Of course we rejoice in that first century coming, for Jesus & the Apostles & all believers were vindicated. Jesus reigns without a rival, King of kings & Lord of lords.
That, as you are quick to assure us, did not end the matter. Christians live as foreigners in a corrupt world, surrounded by unbelievers. We have a Gospel for them, so that enemies become our brothers & sisters in Christ, & we hold out the glorious future hope, & warning, of his final coming at the end of time for resurrection, judgment, & the perfect righteousness of a New Heaven & New Earth.
I'll give Peter the last word:
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.