The Return of Jesus: Every Eye Will See Him. First Part.
The return of Jesus to the land of Israel was one of the first doctrines that the church institutionalized as its own doctrine of the Word of the Cross.
It was precisely this hope of seeing him return to Jerusalem that made many of those who received the Word during the solemn feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) decide to sell their properties abroad and settle in Jerusalem, to participate in the moment of his return.
According to the doctrine of Jesus’ return to the land, he returns to Jerusalem. He will place his feet on the Mount of Olives, in the same place where he was taken up, according to the word that the apostles received from the men in white garments who appeared to them at the moment Jesus was taken from the heavens,
Who also told them: Men of Galilee, why are you looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
The place of his return is described in the writings of the prophet Zechariah,
And his feet will stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east side: and the Mount of Olives will split in the middle towards the east and towards the west, making a very great valley; and half of the mountain will move towards the north, and the other half towards the south.
Zechariah 14:4
The doctrine underwent some adjustments regarding the belief of the time of Jesus’ return. Originally, during the first years, the conviction predominated that Jesus would return soon, that his return would not take many years.
A little while, and you will not see me; and again a little while, and you will see me: because I go to the Father. Then some of his disciples said to one another: What is this that he says to us: A little while, and you will not see me; and again a little while, and you will see me: and, because I go to the Father?
John 16:16, 17
It was a well-rooted conviction, mainly among the believers of the Jerusalem community, who even went so far as to spread the news that the disciple whom Jesus loved would be alive when his coming occurred.
Jesus says to him: If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me. Then this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him, He will not die; but: If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?
John 21:22, 23
In fact, even the apostle Paul understood in his early years that Jesus’ return to Jerusalem would be in his time, and that he, Paul, would be alive when this happened,
To know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the participation of his sufferings, in conformity with his death, If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:10,11
In his first letter to the faith community in Corinth, he writes to them clearly indicating that he will still be alive when Jesus’ return occurs,
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be transformed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will be blown, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be transformed.
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52
Note the inclusivity of the text when it refers to not all will sleep, and then when it assures that we (he included) shall be transformed.
And it was not only Paul who thought this way, it was the general thought. The fear that the teaching would be of no value caused some to fall away from the faith, and they saw the delay as a favourable element to introduce a variant of the doctrine of the resurrection,
Who have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already done, and overturn the faith of some.
2 Timothy 2:18
It was not until the apostle Peter corrected the thinking and explained that the delay, according to them, depends on the time when the Gospel is preached to every creature,
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some consider it slowness; but he is patient toward us, not wanting any to perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Regarding Jesus’ return to the earth, there is no known or revealed date.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:36 (Mark 13:32)
Anyone who claims to have a date for Jesus’ return to earth is only manifesting that they belong to a false, apostate doctrine, and are guided by a satanic spirit.
So, there is no date. God in his mercy speaks to us through the Spirit, and allows us to discern through signs of the times. In one of his interactions with the scribes and Pharisees, He established that there are signs of the times that help us understand about the proximity of events. The use of the expression, when you see, in several of his teachings is a clear example of what was previously stated,
Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (let the reader understand), So also you, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the doors.
Matthew 24:15-33 (Mark 13:14-29)
And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know then that its destruction has come. … So also you, when you see these things happening, understand that the kingdom of God is near.
Luke 21:20-31
Learn the parable from the fig tree: When its branch becomes tender, and the leaves sprout, you know that summer is near.
Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28)
The term in Greek used in the writings of the New Testament to refer to Jesus’ return is the term, Παρουσιαν (parusian), or simply, Παρουσια (parusia); and literally means, coming.
For as the lightning that comes from the east and shows until the west, so shall also be the coming (παρουσια) of the Son of Man. … But as the days of Noah, so shall be the coming (παρουσια) of the Son of Man. And they did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also be the coming (παρουσια) of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:27-39
It meant a physical coming, not spiritual. The men in white garments who appeared to the apostles the day Jesus was taken up established the condition of his coming:
…so shall he come as you have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
This is confirmed by the use of the word used to refer to the Lord’s coming, the word παρουσιαν, a word that denotes the physical and notorious presence of the person. The usage indicates, even, that it is an extraordinary event. We see this in the following examples,
I rejoice at the coming (παρουσια) of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: because they supplied what was lacking on your part.
1 Corinthians 16:17
But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the coming (παρουσια) of Titus:
2 Corinthians 7:6
For they say, his letters are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence. (παρουσια) is weak, and his speech contemptible.
2 Corinthians 10:10
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence (παρουσια) only, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Philippians 2:12
Having the evidence that shows the use of the word παρουσια (Parousia), it is clear that Jesus’ coming is visible, physical, and notorious.
Any teaching that proclaims that Jesus has already come and is present in the world in spirit, and that a physical presence is not to be expected, is a heretical and apostate teaching and is controlled by demons.
Note the use of the term in the writings of the apostles, it is the same term in all of them, which indicates the generalized knowledge about the form of Jesus’ coming to earth,
Widely used by the apostle Paul,
But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits; then those who are Christ’s, at his coming (παρουσια).
1 Corinthians 15:23
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you before our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming (παρουσια)?
1 Thessalonians 2:19
To establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, for the coming (παρουσια) of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:13
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming (παρουσιαν) of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:15
And may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming (παρουσια) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the coming (παρουσιας);
2 Thessalonians 2:9
Used by the apostle James,
You also be patient; establish your hearts: for the coming (παρουσια) of the Lord draws near.
James 5:8
Used by the apostle Peter,
For we did not make known to you the power and the coming (παρουσιαν) of our Lord Jesus Christ by following cleverly devised myths, but as having been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 1:16
Waiting for and hastening the coming (παρουσιαν) of the day of God, in which the heavens being set on fire will be dissolved, and the elements being burned up will melt.
2 Peter 3:12
Used by the apostle John,
And now, little children, abide in him; that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming (παρουσια).
1 John 2:28
These writings show the instructions that Jesus left his disciples about his coming to Israel. They all have the same knowledge.
Jesus’ coming is an event that the whole world will see. There will not be a single person who can say, “I didn’t realize.”
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with great power and glory.
Matthew 24:30 (Mark 13:26)
Jesus’ coming is not a hidden event, it is a visible and public event, on a worldwide scale,
For as the lightning that comes from the east and is seen until the west, so shall also be the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:27
In the following text, note how the visibility of the event for non-religious people is highlighted,
And I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as a sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood; And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, like the fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. And the heaven was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the rich, and the captains, and the mighty, and every slave and every free person, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; And they said to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?
Revelation 6:12-17
It is clear the visibility and notoriety of Jesus’ coming. Those who present Jesus’ coming as a hidden event, seen only by a few, move away from the truth of the Word and add apostasy to their doctrine….
*…. To be continued…*
Pastor Pedro Montoya
