It is plain that by a sign is meant some distinguishing evidence, and consequently, the sign of the Son of man must denote some testimony respecting the Lord. Every truth which informs us concerning the Lord is a sign, calling our attention to Him and supplying materials for the formation of our faith. Hence the appearance of the sign of the Son of man in heaven is the recognition of the Lord in His Divine Humanity by spiritually minded men. What can be the sign of the Lord's coming to any of us, but an interior perception of Him and of those heavenly truths of His Word which teach us to know and love Him? Surely this must have been the idea which He desired His disciples to accept as His answer to their inquiry, "Tell us, what shall be the sign of Thy coming?"
But on the appearance of this sign, it is said, "All the tribes of the earth shall mourn." By the earth is signified the Church: hence we read of the earth being "full of the knowledge of the Lord,"[1] of the earth being full of the riches of the Lord,[2] of the earth being full of the mercy of the Lord,[3] of the earth rejoicing,[4] and many other similar statements, in which it is evident that the Church is signified; and therefore "all the tribes of the earth" do not mean all the inhabitants of the world, but all those who have some spiritual relationship with the Church. This is why they are spoken of as tribes; for it was among certain tribes, and not among all people, that the representative Church was established. Moreover those who are treated of are, properly the tribes (τῆς γῆς, tes ges) of the land, that is, geographically, of the land of Judæa where the representative Church existed. From this it may be seen that by "all the tribes of the earth " are denoted all those
