When the tribulation is over, the Son of man Jesus Christ, who came to earth the first time some two thousand years ago to suffer and die on the cross (ref. Isaiah 53) so that the world might learn of the power of the resurrection and be saved (ref. 1 John 3:8), will come to earth the second time in the clouds of heaven (ref. Mark 13:26, Matthew 24:10), out of the direction of the east (ref. Matthew 24:27), with “great power” (ref. Mark 13:26) and “great glory” (ref. Luke 21:27). On that day, everyone who is alive on planet earth will see him (ref. Revelation 1:7).
On that day, a new nation will be born (ref. Isaiah 66:8): the kingdom of God. This kingdom will have “great power” and “great glory”, because the king will be the Son of God himself, and furthermore apart from the army of angels, there will be a new army of saints (ref. Jude 1:14-15), i.e. the 144000 of the tribes of Jacob (ref. Revelation 14:1-5).
Once Jerusalem and all of the promised land has been won and made holy (ref. Genesis 15:18), the saints will spread out in all directions like the enlarging of a tabernacle, and like the eruption of volcano pouring out unstoppable lava and unquenchable fire.
Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Isaiah 54:2-3
Remember, Revelation reads that Jesus Christ is to “smite the nations” and “rule them with a rod of iron”, as the King of kings.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [two] which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:11-15
This is the holy war to come – a war that will mean liberation from evil.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
If the “kingdom of God” is described as Jacob, then the “kingdom of heaven” comprises the nations of the Gentiles (ref. Revelation 21:24) that accept Jesus Christ as the King of kings.
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Isaiah 54:3
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the one who is to judge the world.
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
Job 38:12-13
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
John 5:22-23
When the judgement is over, there will be world peace.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:9-11
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:3-4
The “great glory” of this victory of good over evil will belong to God the Father, to his Son, and to his saints.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalms 149:5-9
This inevitable victory of Jesus Christ is what is meant by the words “great power” and “great glory”.
A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him victory.
Psalms 98:1
Before the world can sing with joy, there must be war and evil must be destroyed.