Parousia. It may sound like a heavy word, but in all likelihood, you know what it means: the second coming of Christ. At least in most instances in the New Testament, it seems to refer to when Jesus will come again. Christians have often divided themselves into a few camps as to when this will take place.
First Camp: Jesus Christ will come again BEFORE the seven-year Tribulation.
Second Camp: Jesus will come MID-Tribulation (sometime between the seven-years)
Third Camp: Jesus will step onto the scene AFTER the seven-year Tribulation
We will not endeavor today to settle the debate between these three camps. All have Bible verses they can point to that seems to indicate their position. But we WILL cover the meaning of Parousia, signs that Jesus will return again, and why every Christian should know about this term. Let's dive in.
What Is the Meaning of Parousia?
It's important to note the word doesn't always refer to the second coming of Jesus. The word, in its essence, means "coming" "arrival" "presence" "advent."
Presence doesn't just refer to the Lord's presence. For instance, take a look at the verse below that also uses Parousia to refer to a human.
1 Corinthians 16:17: "I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you."
But we should note that while not ALL of the instances of Parousia refer to Christ's second coming, MOST of them do. With this in mind, what do we know about the second coming of Christ?
Often the second coming of Christ is defined by what precedes and follows it. So we'll explore what must take place BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the Parousia. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same Revelation timeline. I will do my best to be inclusive of all views of the Tribulation in this,
What Must Happen before Parousia?
A number of items must take place before Christ makes his second return.
First, the Gospel must reach every nation (Matthew 24:14). As we have not yet reached every nation in the world with the Word of God, we have not yet reached Parousia. Don't get me wrong, it is approaching. But everyone must hear the Good News of the Lord first.
Second, a "falling away" must happen. And many of us could argue that it is happening now.
By falling away, we mean apostasy. Crosswalk explains this Apostasia as such, "Two events leap onto our radar screen—the falling away and the man of sin. Newer translations refer to this falling away as the Greek word “Apostasia,” defection from truth, revolt, apostasy. The next word describes the son of perdition . . . the Greek word “Apoleia,” ruin, loss, destruction, damnable. For centuries believers have hauled out their magnifying glass trying to predict who this man of lawlessness might be. But God’s Word says there will be no question of his identity when he appears. Those who search the Scriptures will know him by his actions."
This leads us to our third point, the antichrist needs to step onto the scene and make himself or herself known.
This is where it gets a little tricky because depending on one's view of Tribulation, people may think that Christians get raptured right away, or that they have to endure Tribulation for a brief or full period of time before Christ returns.
All these events must take place first. Let's take a look at what happens during Parousia next.
What Happens during Parousia?
When Jesus steps onto the scene a number of things will happen.
First, he will come on the clouds (Revelation 1:7). Every eye will see him. Worldwide, everyone will know that he has arrived, and many will mourn (Matthew 24:30). Trumpets, likely the shofar, will alert us to his presence.
Zechariah 14:4, according to GotQuestions, seems to point out where Jesus will arrive: the Mount of Olives. Fun fact, Jesus ascended into heaven on that very mountain after his death and resurrection.
Angels will gather those who belong to the Lord in an event that we know as the Rapture. Some Christians believe that believers will be raptured once, and then those who convert to Christianity will be raptured after the Tribulation. For now, let's assume the position of a one-time rapture that will take place when Jesus steps onto the scene.
Most Christians seem to be in agreement that after Christ's second coming, he will usher in a 1000-year reign. Some Christians claim this is a metaphorical 1000 years. Some say the 1000 years is taking place right now. And others say the 1000 years is yet to pass. In either case, we can all agree that the millennial reign must take place one last time before Satan is released and judged.
What Happens after Parousia?
As described above, Christ, when he returns, ushers in a 1000-year reign. After that, Satan is released for a brief period of time He will gather the nations in battle to war against God's saints (Revelation 20). But heavenly fire with rain down on them. And Satan will receive eternal punishment in the lake of burning sulfur, along with the antichrist and false prophet.
From here, the dead will be judged, and those who did not follow Christ will receive their eternal punishment. From here, God will usher in a new heaven and a new earth for the saints and a new Jerusalem. The saints will rejoice at the wedding supper of Christ and his church. Eden is restored (Revelation 22) and all tears are wiped from eyes. There is no more pain, no more suffering, no more death.
Why Is it so Important to Know about This?
Maybe you read the above description and felt a deep longing in your bones. I know I have. I can feel that I don't belong in this world and I long for the days of the new earth and the new Jerusalem.
But the descriptions above the "after" section should also instill in us a determination to spread the Gospel far and wide. I know personally many people who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior, and it should be of utmost importance that I do my part in making sure they know the Good News of Jesus. We can often cry "Maranatha!" when we feel the groaning of this world. When we want Christ to return.
But we must not forget our true mission here and now. There are so many people who are in need of hearing the Good News. Yes, amidst the suffering of the saints, we cry out for the Lord to return. But we cannot forsake the reason we have been called to the here in now. Parousia reminds us of why we serve as we do and why we must get the word out about Jesus to as many people as possible.
So for now we rest in the hope that God will set everything right at the end. But we need to focus on the mission at hand and not get caught up in dwelling in the future. I'll leave you with this final verse.
Matthew 6:34: "So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
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