The Public Return The great hope of Christians has been the return of Jesus. In the Greek-Roman world of New Testament times, the arrival (parousia) of a king, emperor, or high official was a festive public occasion calling for speeches, processions, and the equivalent of a ticker-tape parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Jesus himself promised a public return.1
“When he (Jesus) had said this, as they watched, he was lifted up, and a cloud removed him from their sight. As he was going, and as they were gazing intently into the sky, all at once there stood beside them two men in white who said, ‘Men of Galilee, why stand there looking up into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken away from you up to heaven, will come in the same way as you have seen him go.’ Acts 1:11 “For as the lightning emerges from the east and shines to the west, so will be the presence (parousia) of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” Revelation 1:7 (KJ)
Paul often used this word presence (parousia) in referring to the arrival of friends who brought him supplies (Stephanus, Fortunatus, Achaicus, and Titus). So it was a visible presence in contrast to a spiritual presence. “So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed, not only in my presence (parousia), but how much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12 “But we entreat you, brethren, concerning the coming (parousia) of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our assembling to him...and then will be revealed the lawless one whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and annihilate by the appearing of his presence (parousia).” II Thessalonians 2:1,8 (Diaglott)
Jesus promised to return visibly. He said: “As things were in Noah’s days, so will they be when the Son of Man comes (parousia). In the days before the flood they ate and drank and married, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes (parousia).” Matthew 24:37-39
“Be on the alert, praying at all times for strength and to stand in the presence (emprosthen) of the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 “And now, dear children, abide in him, so that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him in his presence (parousia).” I John 2:28 (Diaglott)
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