The Parousia of Jesus Christ 2 Michael L. Wiltcher Yesterday we described the three views of the Parousia of Jesus Christ. The first view defines the Greek word parousia as a technical word that refers to a single event that occurs in a single moment. This best describes the post-trib view. The rapture and the advent or physical appearing of Jesus Christ occurs at the same moment of time. The second view defines the Greek word parousia as a non-technical word that can refer to several different events. The word parousia can refer to the rapture in one verse, but then be used to describe the physical appearing of Jesus Christ in another. This is the view of many pre-trib advocates. The third view defines the Greek word parousia as a technical word that describes one event that can be broken into identifiable phases, such as the beginning, the duration, and the conclusion of the event. To determine which of these views most accurately reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ, it would be necessary to examine each view carefully to grasp the strengths and weaknesses of each. If one regards the Greek word parousia to be a technical word that refers to a single event that occurs in a single moment in time, then the rapture occurs at the physical appearing of Jesus Christ. And as this appearing of Christ is stated to occur AFTER the tribulation of those days, then the Church must go through the Great Tribulation which includes the Great Wrath of God poured upon the earth described in the form of seals, trumpets, and bowls. The strength of such a view is that it simplifies the end time events to the rise of the Anti-Christ, the Great Tribulation, and the Advent of Jesus Christ to take His Church and pour out judgement upon the earth. The weaknesses of such a view is that it totally ignores the purpose of the Great Tribulation as well as the overall theme of Daniel’s 70 Weeks. Daniel 9:24 “Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil…” Please underline the words YOUR PEOPLE and YOUR HOLY CITY. This specifically denotes that the 70 Weeks of Daniel, including the final 70th week, is determined upon the nation of Israel and their city of Jerusalem. 2. The Old Testament prophecies that the 70th Week would be a time of Jacob’s Trouble and a time wherein the rebels within Israel would be purged. Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Ezekiel 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: Ezekiel20:34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. Ezekiel 20:35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Ezekiel 20:36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: Ezekiel 20:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 3. It is Jerusalem that is described as the focus on Old Testament prophecies, as well as within the Olivet Discourse. Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Zechariah 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Matthew 24:15 “Daniel the prophet spoke about ‘the terrible thing that causes destruction.’ You will see this terrible thing standing in the holy place.” (You who read this should understand what it means.) Matthew 24:16 “The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains. 4. The Church has not been appointed unto wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, With the overwhelming evidence that points to the subject of the Great Tribulation as being applicable to the nation of Israel and not the Church, the first view of the Greek word parousia is not tenable. We will pick up the other views tomorrow!
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:38:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015