Jesus is the judge of all the Earth, Ps 96:12.
Ps 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Jesus returns to judge two kinds of people, believers and unbelievers.
Ac 1:11 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.
Acts 1:11 is a statement made by angels as they spoke to the believers who saw the ascension.
When Jesus said “ye shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds” in Matt 26:64 He was speaking to an unbeliever, and He was not referring to physical sight.
Mt 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.
There is no scriptural record of the unbelieving High Priest, spoken of in Mt 26:64, ever having physically seen this event. There is however a scriptural record of Jesus Coming on the Clouds to judge unbelievers in Isaiah 19:1.
An example of His coming to unbelievers in a cloud is found in Isaiah 19:1.
Isa 19:1 ¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
Coming or returning in a cloud is a reference to The Lord coming in judgment.
The phrase “seeing” Him” refers to “seeing” as it pertains to “perceiving” something.
He does not return to facilitate salvation in the lives of unbelievers because they do not look for Him, Heb 9:28. Ultimately unbelievers perish (Rm 2:12) and Christians are not to judge them 1 Cor 5:13.
Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Unbelievers do not “Love His appearing”, 2 Tim 4:8.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (KJV)
As this judgment pertains to believers, He returns in two ways for judgment.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
As can be seen from 1 Cor 11:32 Christian judgment happens during this lifetime and in order to teach obedience and avoid future condemnation. The action referred to is the definition of grace found in Titus 2:11-12. God’s grace is seen by all and given to those who humble themselves before Him, James 4:6.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Judgment in this case can be seen as “an evaluation” resulting in either a reward or a loss. As in “God judges a person’s behavior to be correct or incorrect”.
They either progress in the kingdom attributes, or they suffer loss, Matt 25:23.
Mt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (KJV)
Progressing in the reward or kingdom is understood as an increase in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is righteousness (the ability to do what is right), Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit, Rm 14:17.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
These attributes can also be understood as the Fruit of the Spirit of God, Gal 5:22.
Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(KJV)
As it pertains to disobedient believers “The Day of the Lord” comes as a thief, meaning that something will be taken away from them and they will suffer loss, 1 Cor 3:15.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (RSV)
Jesus return for judgment is referred to in Psalm 23:4 as His using a rod of discipline.
Ps 23:4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Isa 10:5 Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!
Isa 28:27 For the fitches are not threshed with a sharp threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
In His attempt to walk as Jesus walked Paul exemplified this judgment as He addressed His students in his 1 Cor 4:21.
1Co 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Jesus returns to obedient believers for their salvation, Heb 9:28 and a positive judgment /evaluation result involves the person receiving more grace and being enabled to deny ungodliness more effectively, Rm 1:18.
God is completely righteous, and He can keep a person from sinning, Gen 20:6.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
If Christians prevail when they are judged they progress in the Kingdom attributes of righteous, joy and peace.
Ro 3:4 By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written, “That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged.”
Being saved means that a person is saved from something. Obedient believers are saved from the wrath revealed against ungodliness, Rm 1:18 and Luke 3:7.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Lu 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (KJV)
When Jesus judges an obedient Christian, it does not take the form of His coming “as a thief” in the night, 1 Thess 5:4.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
This reward takes the form of their advancement in the kingdom of God, that is mentioned in Matthew 25:21.
Mt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
In other words, they become increasingly able to do the right thing/they inherit a crown of righteousness.
2Ti 4:8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
(ASV)
They become more joyful and more peaceful, Rm 14:17.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;
When obedient Christians are judged they prevail Rm 3:4.
Ro 3:4 (RSV) By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written, “That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged.”
As is seen from Matt 25:21, this ability to behave in a right manner or a righteous manner is given to a believer as they humble themselves (1 Pet 5:5) and are taught by God’s grace to deny ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
This is the “ruling” mentioned in Matt 25:23. These obedient Christians reign in life, Rm:5:17.
1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
(KJV)
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Rm 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Since Jesus said “it is finished” from the Cross we know that any extra biblical speculation about His coming in a manner not recorded in scripture would be an addition to the Bible Rev 22:18.
Re 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (KJV)
The phrase “every eye” in Rev 1:7 refers to something that happens to both believers and unbelievers.
Both groups will experience Jesus’ judgment.
Re 1:7 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.
Jesus will appear to both believers and unbelievers to judge or evaluate their behavior which is referred to metaphorically as His “returning in a cloud” just as He was “received by the cloud” in Acts 1:9.
Ac 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (KJV)
In Acts 1:11 the angels were telling the believers present that Jesus would return to judge all people.
The promised land is the nature of Christ or the Divine nature.
Christians’ are being made into the Divine nature or the image of Christ. When Moses asked to see the glory of God the reply was “I will cause my goodness to pass before you”, Ex:33:17-19.
Ex 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Ex 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (KJV)