The Parousia

by R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Category: Maran Atha | Jun 1999

'Our Lord cometh' is one accepted meaning of the words used as our main title. They are Aramaic words, although spelt in Greek letters. The apostle Paul drew his first letter to the Corinthians to a close (16:22) with this salutary reminder of the Lord's return. Taking the pen from the hand of his amanuensis he wrote in his own hand, 'If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maran atha', reminding us that only a sincere love for the Lord Jesus will keep the hope of His return burning brightly in our hearts. Many who do love Him are convinced that His appearing cannot be far away, as they compare world events and social trends with what the Scriptures have to say about the last days. So to encourage one another to keep looking up, we say Maran atha, 'He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry' (Heb. 10:37).

The Greek word parousia means 'arrival and being present with continually'. A study of the scriptures where it is used confirms the view that the Lord's coming will be in two phases or parts; firstly, to the air for His saints, the redeemed of the Church, His Body, and secondly, after an interval of at least seven years, to the earth with His saints, to set up His kingdom and to reign for a thousand years. Theologians refer to this view as Pre-millennialist. There are other views. Some known as Post-millennialists, believe His second coming will follow after the millennium. Yet others, A-millennialists, as they are referred to, believe that a literal millennial reign of Christ on earth cannot be scripturally sustained.

Pre-millennialists hold different views and one point on which they differ is whether the Church, the Body of Christ will pass through the Great Tribulation. Since the inception of the Churches of God (1892-94) this magazine has consistently taught a pre-millennial and dispensational view of the parousia. We believe the Church, His Body will not pass through the Great Tribulation and that Israel will be restored to national glory during Messiah's 1000 years reign on earth. We understand from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 that when Christ first returns to the air with commanding shout and trumpet sound, the dead in Christ will be raised and changed and born again ones who are still alive, will be caught up and together they will meet the Lord in the air. What a thrilling and heart-warming prospect! Well might we comfort one another with the words of this precious part of the Scriptures.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 spells out what we understand to be the second phase of His parousia, when Christ will return to the earth, with the angels of His power, in flaming fire, bringing to an awful conclusion the period of great tribulation. These will be separate occasions but one parousia or coming. The first will be private in the sense that probably only believing ones will be aware of it. The second will be very public, accompanied by ten thousand of His holy ones, and every eye shall see Him, and they which pierced Him, as Revelation 1:7 tells us so plainly. In view of such tremendous events which may well be happening at any time, we do well to say once again, to all our hearts, Maran atha, our Lord cometh.

R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Jun 1999
Maran Atha