Only those who belonged to Him heard this promise. It is therefore a
promise not given to Israel, or to the world, but only for those who
know Him as their Savior and Lord, who have believed on Him and are His
own. The promise is twofold. He would come again and receive them
unto Himself; and that He would take them to the place where He is.
And this is "that blessed hope." His coming for His own to be with Him
in the Father's house to occupy the mansions He has prepared by His
atoning work.
The contrast of this promise of His Coming for His disciples with the
promises of His visible return as given in the synoptics is striking.
He does not say a word about any signs. He does not mention the great
tribulation. Nor has He anything to say about judgment. He only gives
the assurance that He, in person, will come again and then receive them
unto Himself. They were not to look for certain signs and events as
predicted in Daniel's prophecy, or wait for the great tribulation and
the manifestation of the man of sin. His promise told them to wait for
Himself.