Matthew 24:30 has something quite interesting:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. I am not referring to the signs prior to the return of Christ, but more specifically the sign itself. That part is very interesting and I will see what I can find by searching scripture or see what the actual phrase is in its original language.

God Bless,
Will

Hmm. Instead of going the long way around things I know that Second COming of Christ will be visible and we will meet Him in the air. I suppose I was trying to look for something distinct to His coming which there are many distinct signs of His coming i.e. the dead in Christ will rise first, trumpet of God, voice of the Archangel, the very elements of earth thrown out of wack etc. So by definition the sign will be His actual coming.

God Bless,
Will

Are you sure? The text says "the sign of the Son of man" that appears in heaven (i.e. the sky) occurs before Jesus arrives. So what is this sign that signals the soon arrival of Jesus? I believe it is the voice of God declaring the day and hour of Jesus' arrival. Notice this passage from LDE 272, 273.

God Announces the Time of Christ's Coming

Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back. Then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God.--EW 41 (1851). {LDE 272.1}

Soon we heard the voice of God [THE VOICE OF GOD IS HEARD REPEATEDLY DURING THE PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING CHRIST'S RETURN. SEE THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, PP. 632, 633, 636, 638, 640, 641.] like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake.--EW 15 (1851). {LDE 272.2}

As God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming, and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted, "Glory! Hallelujah!" Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God, and they shone with glory as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked could not look upon them for the glory. And when the never-ending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image.--EW 285, 286 (1858). {LDE 272.3}

I have not the slightest knowledge as to the time spoken by the voice of God. I heard the hour proclaimed, but had no remembrance of that hour after I came out of vision. Scenes of such thrilling, solemn interest passed before me as no language is adequate to describe. It was all a living reality to me, for close upon this scene appeared the great white cloud, upon which was seated the Son of man.--1SM 76 (1888). {LDE 273.1}

Actually I am not sure as to what the exact specific 'sign of His coming' will be. To me this seems that it is what will qualify His coming. Do you know what I mean?
I am going to look at scripture regarding this because it is fascinating indeed.

God Bless,
Will

Qualify His coming? I think I know what you mean. Compare this text with the quotes I posted.

Matthew
24:30 And [1] then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and [2] then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and [3] they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The flow is the same as the EGW quotes - 1) Sign, 2) Sigh and 3) Sight (i.e. every eye shall see).

Hi Mike,

To address part 1 of Matthew 24:30 'the sign' of the Son of man in heaven will be the voice of God correct? I found this in Early Writings:

quote:

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Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.

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This is backed up by the Bible in Matthew 24:29

quote:

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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:

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Now here is something I came across while cross referencing similar texts and passages which also makes me wonder about the possibility that the Father will also be present when Christ returns.

quote:

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Matthew 26:64
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.

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We know that when Jesus went up into heaven He sat down at the right hand of the Father, and God tells us in the Bible that the way Jesus went up is the same way He will return:

quote:

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Mark 16:19
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

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quote:

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Acts 1:11
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

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quote:

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Daniel 7:13
3 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

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When reading Daniel 7:13 however I am thinking if this is when the New Jerusalem is placed on the earth. Not sure, but it does seem that the Father will be present as well. Any thoughts on this?

God Bless,
Will

Historically the sun, moon and stars aspect of Jesus' prophecy were fulfilled before 1844. So it seems unlikely these are the signs that occur after probation closes just before Jesus arrives. However, I also happen to believe these same aspects will be fulfilled again in future only this time after probation closes (during the 4th trumpet and plague).

But since these aspects occur before "the sign" mentioned in Matthew 24 verse 30 I believe this particular sign is something different. Do you see what I mean? In other words, the chronology of verses 29 and 30 eliminates the possibility that the signs (plural) in verse 29 and the sign (singular) in verse 30 are the same. Again, the sequence is 1) Signs, 2) Sign, 3) Sigh and 4) Sight.

Does the Father and Son return seated side by side to redeem us? Personally, I don't think so. Here's why. Jesus will return the same way He departed. He left without the Father to sit beside Him in heaven where He was waiting to receive Jesus. And again we meet the Father for the first time in heaven where He is waiting to receive us when we return with Jesus from earth.

EW 285-287

It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession.... {EW 285.1}

And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth.... {EW 285.2}

Then commenced the jubilee, when the land should rest.... {EW 286.1}

Soon appeared the great white cloud, upon which sat the Son of man. When it first appeared in the distance, this cloud looked very small. The angel said that it was the sign of the Son of man. As it drew nearer the earth, we could behold the excellent glory and majesty of Jesus as He rode forth to conquer. A retinue of holy angels, with bright, glittering crowns upon their heads, escorted Him on His way.... {EW 286.2}

Sister White mentions several signs, tokens and wonders which announce the soon arrival of Jesus. It appears that she is saying the small cloud, when seen at a distance, is "the sign" of the Son of Man.

Matthew
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.

Also, I think it's significant that when she describes Jesus seated upon this cloud that He is seated alone. The Father is never said to be seated beside the Son on this cloud. The Bible simply says we are caught up to meet "the Lord" in the air - not the Father. 1 Thes 4:13-18. His voice when heard declaring the day and hour of Jesus' arrival is heard from heaven, from one clear place settled glory.

EW 34.1
But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, which shook the heavens and the earth.... And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth.

GC 640, 641
The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus' coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people.... {GC 640.2}

Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.... {GC 640.3}

Thanks for the valuable information Mike. God tells us in Revelation 1:7,8 the following:

quote:

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7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

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So it seems that the quotes you provided from GC are backed up with what the Bible says when it states that Christ will come alone, and we know it is Christ.

The definition of 'the sign' (singular) is is definitely referring to His coming in the clouds which is confirmed in the Bible in 1 Thessalonians and in Revelation.

So when we read Matthew 24:29,30 this is the sequence of His coming, and the events with the sun moon and stars will occurr again furing the 4th trumpet. I will study that and see what The Lord reveals in His Word. Thanks Mike

edited for typo

God Bless,
Will

Amen. Only I would add that the cloud when seen at a distance (when it looks like a small black cloud way off in the east) is the sign of the Son of Man. Also, I look forward to your thoughts on the reapplication of the sun, moon and stars aspect of prophecy. You might want to read this study:

http://www.maritime-sda-online.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=82;t=000021

Amen indeed Mike. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy studying the Word of God.. His promises, His Second coming, our salvation in Jesus Christ, and the thread of humanity between Genesis and Revelation.

I am unable to view the link you provided because I need permission to access that area. What is the name of the forum and I will request if I can get access to it from Daryl. OR you can paste it in here or send me a private message or sometihng like that.

God Bless,
Will