End Time Insights

The “coming” of Jesus will mean the vindication of the righteous and the judgment and condemnation of the wicked .  In the New Testament, several Greek terms are applied to the return of Jesus at the end of the present age, including parousia (“arrival”), erchomai (“coming”), and epiphaneia (“appearance”). Regardless of which term is used, in each instance, it is found in the singular number; it describes only one “ coming ” of Jesus. Each passage provides only a limited amount of information about the event.

In explaining the future resurrection, Paul listed the key events that would precede or coincide with the arrival of Jesus at the end of the age .  In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul outlined the events that will occur at the “ arrival ” or ‘ parousia ’ of Jesus, one of several Greek terms applied by him to Christ’s return. But regardless of which term he used, Paul always spoke of one “ coming ,” “ revelation ,” or “ appearance ” of Jesus at the end of the age.

Foundational to the believer’s future hope is the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead when Jesus arrives in glory . Paul’s description of the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus in his first letter to the Thessalonians was written to comfort the Assembly concerning the fate of their compatriots who died before that event could take place. They needed not sorrow “ like the others ” since the righteous dead would be resurrected when the Lord “ arrived ” from Heaven.

In the opening thanksgiving of his  Letter to the Philippians , Paul prepares his readers for one of its key themes:  Going on to perfection in Jesus . The promised bodily resurrection is necessary for the consummation of this process - It is an integral part of the future salvation that believers will receive when Jesus appears “ on the clouds of Heaven .” What God began in the Philippians at their conversion He will continue to perform until that day, “ the Day of Christ .”

The ‘ Olivet Discourse ’ in the thirteenth chapter of  Mark  is the last recorded block of teachings by Jesus given shortly before his death on the Mount of Olives. It followed a series of confrontations in the Temple between him and the Pharisees and the priestly authorities, disputes that set the stage for his trial and execution. Thus, his “trial” effectively began in the Temple, and inevitably, it concluded with his unjust death on a Roman cross.