There is coming a final gathering when the saints will be assembled before Jesus in glory, but the wicked will be collected and cast from his presence.
The New Testament portrays the coming day when both the righteous and the unrighteous are “gathered” before Jesus, the former for vindication, and the latter for condemnation. And consistently, this event is linked to the “arrival” of Jesus at the end of the age and the resurrection of the dead.
Continue reading THE GATHERINGThe ‘Parousia’ of Jesus will mean nothing less than the resurrection of the dead, the commencement of the New Creation, and the final judgment.
The Apostle Paul used several terms to refer to the same final event, the “coming of Jesus,” but one that is especially prominent in his letters, “arrival” or ‘parousia.’ In using it, he provided his understanding of what will occur on that day. The Greek noun signifies the “arrival” of someone or something, and not the process of its or his “coming” (Strong’s – #G3952).
Continue reading HIS “ARRIVAL”The resurrection, the end of death, and the New Creation all occur at the “arrival” of Jesus at the end of the present age.
When certain church members at Corinth denied the future resurrection, Paul responded by stressing the necessity for the bodily resurrection, and he began by appealing to the past resurrection of Jesus as the precedent for the future resurrection of believers, a key event that will coincide with his “arrival” in glory, his parousia.
Continue reading THE DEATH OF DEATHIn his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul wrote to reassure the congregation about the participation of fellow saints who died before the Parousia in the glories of that day. BOTH dead and living saints will assemble to “meet” Jesus when he arrives. In doing so, he provided one of his more detailed descriptions of the “coming” of Jesus. On that day, dead Christians will be resurrected and, together with those still alive, will meet Jesus as he descends from heaven.
Continue reading THE PAROUSIA IN THESSALONICASYNOPSIS – Paul emphasizes the exalted position of Jesus that resulted from his death and resurrection – Colossians 1:18-19.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul stresses the exalted position of Jesus that resulted from his obedient death and his resurrection from the dead. Some members of the congregation remained confused about the authority of the Son of God, even over the spiritual powers that are hostile to him and his people. Therefore, Paul reminded them of just how highly God had exalted the one who became the “firstborn of the dead.”
Continue reading HEAD OF THE BODY
Insights into Bible Prophecy 