Rich,Im a simple guy and I try not to read too much into it. I trust God and the spirit to guide me. It could be that the earth swallowing the flood is just another statement saying no more earthly flood.
Some things I just take it as it is.
God knows us....he knows our hearts. I think as long as we are doing our best(to do his will as we interpret it) he will bless us.
As a father his children..we only expect they do their best. After all...he is our Father!!!

Jesus did say we must be innocent as a child, to humble our selves.
Simplicity is good.
Maybe I didn't articulate very well, I didn't mean the earth swallowing the flood.
The army being covered by the water I saw as posably a precursor to the earth in revolation swallowing up the flood that was sent after the woman by the dragon.
The flood being an army.
Sort of a prophetic theophany = meaning an image of a future event, usually Christ like.

I believe as you do about Jesus returning in the clouds as stated by the angel in Acts.
I also believe that we are living in the church Age.
That being said, I believe the kingdom of God = the thousand year reign and the church Age are the same.
I don't believe when Jesus says when you see the son of man coming in the cloud in the Olivete discourse is the same event. I believe this is apocalyptic language about the coming distruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 ad. In Acts the description of Chist Coming is a description of his peaceful gathering of the Saints.
The Olivete discourse is a statement of judgment like in the old testament writings when God would come on a cloud during judgment. This is my understanding.