Some of the language the New Testament uses to describe the second coming of Jesus, such as "the trumpet of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), may be metaphorical (word pictures rather than literal descriptions). In the Old Testament, cosmic language is also often used metaphorically to describe historical events (see Isaiah 11:1–9; 13:9–11; Jeremiah 4:23–28; Ezekiel 32:1–16). Because of this, some interpreters believe the imagery in Mark 13:24–27 could refer to a past event, such as the destruction of Jerusalem.
However, New Testament writers clearly understood the coming of the Son of Man to mean the future, visible, and personal return of Jesus (see Acts 1:9–11).