The
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus promised the disciples he would
return in a “second coming”:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John
14:3)
The promise was repeated by the Angels:
Which also said, You men of Galilee, why
stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Three Greek words are used in reference to
our “Lord’s return”:
1. Parousia — Presence
2. Epiphania — Bright shining or
manifestation
3. Apokalupsis — Revealment,
uncovering, or unveiling (as of a thing that was previously present but hidden)
If we remember the different shades of
meaning these words express and give each its proper significance in the texts where they
are used, we will get a much clearer view of the subject.
Texts Where “Parousia” Is
Translated “Coming”
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the
disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? and what will
be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?(Matthew 24:3)
For as the lightning comes out of the east,
and shines even to the west; so will also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27)
But as the days of Noah were, so will also
the coming of the Son of man be. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all
away; so will also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37,39)
But every man in his own order: Christ the
firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of
rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?(1
Thessalonians 2:19)
To the end he may establish your hearts
blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
And the very God of peace sanctify you
wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)
Be patient therefore, brethren, to the
coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has
long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be you also patient;
Establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. (James 5:7,8)
For this we say to you by the word of the
Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord will not prevent them
which are asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
Knowing this first, that there will come in
the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of
his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3,4)
Texts Where “Parousia” Is
Translated “Presence”
This is the correct translation and should
have been used in all the preceding texts. For his letters, say they, are weighty and
powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (2 Corinthians
10:10)
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our
fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. (Philemon 1:2)
Texts Where “Epiphania” Is
Translated “Appearing”
That you keep this commandment without spot
or blame, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Timothy 6:14)
I charge you therefore before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom;(2 Timothy 4:1)
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day: and not
to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)
A Text Where “Parousia” is
Translated “Coming” And “Epiphania” is Translated
“Brightness”
And then will that Wicked be revealed,
whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and will destroy with the
brightness of his coming:(2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The text should read “destroy by the
brightness of his presence.”
Texts Where “Apokalupsis” is
Translated “Revealed” or “Revelation”
The following texts refer to the Lord’s
second presence, power, and glory as they will be made known, uncovered, or revealed to
the world. Many texts show that when He is revealed, His Church will be with Him and be
revealed or manifested at the same time and in the same manner.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed in us.
(Romans 8:18)
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers
of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory will be revealed, you may be glad also with
exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13)
Who are kept by the power of God through
faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who
am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the
glory that will be revealed:(1 Peter 5:1)
Every man's work will be made manifest: for
the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will try every
man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
Here the reference is to the testings of the
Lord’s people during the period of his presence in the end of the age. This agrees
with the Lord’s prophecy “there is nothing covered that will not be
revealed” concerning the same testings.
For there is nothing covered, that will not
be revealed; neither hid, that will not be known. (Luke 12:2)
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be
sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)
And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. (2 Thessalonians
1:7)
So that you come behind in no gift; waiting
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:7)
That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to
praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)
For the earnest expectation of the creature
waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom
it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even will it be in the
day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:29,30)
Other Texts Concerning Our Lord’s
Return
The following texts show that the world will
not be expecting His coming and when it has already taken place they will not know about
it.
But of that day and hour knows no man, no,
not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so will also
the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the
flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that
Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so
will also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:36-39)
But of the times and the seasons, brethren,
you have no need that I write to you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they will say, Peace and safety; then
sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they will not
escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
The next texts promise that in the
“time of the end” the wise will understand. But you, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1 Thessalonians
5:4,5)
And I heard, but I understood not: then said
I, O my Lord, what will be the end of these things? And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for
the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many will be purified, and
made white, and tried; but the wicked will do wickedly: and none of the wicked will
understand; but the wise will understand. (Daniel 12:8-10)
The disciples asked what would be the sign
of the Lord’s presence: And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no
man deceive you. For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and will deceive
many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all
these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then will they
deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you: and you will be hated of all nations
for my name's sake. And then will many be offended, and will betray one another, and will
hate one another. And many false prophets will rise, and will deceive many. And because
iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax cold. But he that will endure to the end,
the same will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world
for a witness to all nations; and then will the end come. (Matthew 24:4-14)
And there will be signs in the sun, and in
the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the
sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those
things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And he
spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot
forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise
you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is nigh at
hand. Verily I say to you, This generation will not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
(Luke 21:25,26,29-32)
These texts tell the signs that will show
the Church that the time has come and He is present. We find also a description of the
condition of the world and the nominal church at the time of His presence (parousia):
Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their
own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter
3:3,4)
This know also, that in the last days
perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection,
unforgiving, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, haters of those that are good, Traitors,
heady, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power of it: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
For in those days will be affliction, such
as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, neither will
be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for
the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days. (Mark 13:19,20)
Watch you therefore, and pray always, that
you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)
Watch therefore: for you know not what hour
your Lord comes. (Matthew 24:42)
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
But the end of all things is at hand: be you
therefore sober, and watch to prayer. (1 Peter 4:7)
Those who watch will receive a blessing:
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he
walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)
Texts Which Seem To Imply a Visible
Second Coming
The manner of His going was quiet,
unnoticed, and unknown except by a few of His disciples. Which also said, You men of
Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you
into heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
The “trump of God” is the same as
the “seventh trumpet”. Why would the seventh trumpet be literal if none of the
others were? For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first:(1
Thessalonians 4:16)
And the seventh angel sounded; and there
were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of
our Lord, and of his Christ; and he will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
Comparing the next two verses makes them
understandable. After the Lord’s parousia (presence) the saints will not fall asleep
but will be instantly changed at their death to spirit beings and go to meet the Lord.
Then we which are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so will we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Behold, I show you a mystery; We will not
all sleep, but we will all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we
will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)
The word “see” is used in the
sense of “perceive”. And then will they see the Son of man coming in the clouds
with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)
Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye
will see him, and they also which pierced him: and all peoples of the earth will wail
because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)
See Z’98-259; B, 103-172; Z’02-51-56;
Z’02-83-96
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