NT Words that describe our Lord's Second Coming

There are 24 verses in the NT where the word parousi,a is used. The following is a list where this word is used in its 4 forms found in the NT.

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

[Here the word is translated presence and rightly so. Hence the word obviously means the coming and presence of someone; not just the fact that someone is coming or is on the way]

Philippians 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[see the above note]

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence (before our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming – Darby) of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear (manifested – Darby fanerwqh/| ), we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

[The word translated appear is manifested and is again used in the NT 1John 3:2 – “…but we know that, when he shall appear…”  Darby however translates this as “…we know that if it is manifested we shall be like him,…”]

Please note that we are drawing these conclusions based on the fact that the word for ‘coming’ used in the above verses is the same and that the definitely refer to the same event. So even if anyone should argue that since the NT uses 3 different words and they each refer to different aspects of the Lord’s Second coming, the following considerations should suffice to convince them that Holy Spirit has used this very word (coming) to describe all phases of our Lord’s Second Coming. To sum up with regard to this word (coming) used in the above mentioned verses in the NT, we can conclude the following

•     All believers that have died in Christ and those that are alive and remain, will be on the earth when the Lord comes (notice Paul says NT Church age believers will remain on earth unto i.e. till Christ comes again) Now whether the Lord at this coming comes to the earth visibly or no will have to be determined comparing other verses
•     The resurrection occurs at Christ’s coming. Christ was the first to rise from the dead – He is the firstfruits, afterwards those that are Christ’s at His coming. Notice there will be no other resurrection after His coming. It will be at His coming
•     Paul tells the Thessalonians that they were his joy and crown of rejoicing in the Presence or before the Lord Jesus Christ (the sense obviously is that it is in His presence) at his coming
•     Believers are to be established, unblameable in holiness before God at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
•     Paul prayed that God would preserve the believers wholly – body, soul, and spirit – blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
•     It is at the coming of the Lord that all saints are to be gathered together unto Him.
•     In talking about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gathering of the saints unto Him, Paul plainly tells us (2 Thess 2.1-4) that that day would not come or arrive “except there come the falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, and sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” In other words, Christ would not come unless there first takes place an apostasy from the faith (see 1 Tim 4:1), the man of sin – probably the Antichrist – is revealed or is manifested for who he really is. This will be clear when he usurps the place of worship in the temple of God, which worship only God is entitled to (This also means that the temple should be standing in Jerusalem). It is at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (and this coming here is surely spectacular and visible) that He shall “consume with the spirit (or breath) of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness (appearing) of His coming...”
•     The above point makes clear that at the coming of the Lord the wicked one will be destroyed and this obviously will not be invisible. Obviously, there will be nothing secret about this coming.
•     James exhorts believers to be patient unto the coming of the Lord.
•     Believers are to look for the coming of the day of God
•     Believers should so live their lives in Christ that they be not ashamed before Him at His coming when He shall appear (or be manifested)

Taking the above considerations together, it would be impossible to assume or make the aforementioned verses to mean that Christ’s coming for His saints occurs years prior to His Coming to the earth. Notice at this point of time we are limiting ourselves only to verses that use the word parousia translated often as ‘coming’. Since the Holy Spirit would not have used words arbitrarily, but with a good intention, it is only fair and wise too that we consider all the verses above referred to and count them to refer to the same event, viz. the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when He comes, the resurrection of those who belong to Him takes place, the man of sin that wicked one is destroyed by the brightness of His coming, ministers will be able to rejoice at the fruits of their labour (those they were instrumental in bringing to Christ and shepherding), believers will be established unblameable before God our Father, nevertheless believers should so live their lives in Christ that they be not ashamed before Him at His coming.

Now for the second word used in the NT to describe the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

There are 6 verses in the NT where the word evpifanei,a| is used. The following is a list where this word is used in its 3 forms found in the NT.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness (appearing – Darby) of his coming:

[In the above verse, both words appearing and coming (evpifanei,a|  parousi,aj) are used. Hence Darby’s translation.]

1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Once again based on the above verses, we may conclude the following

•     Ministers of the Word are to keep Paul charge without spot and unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
•     The Lord Jesus Christ appeared the first time in this world physically, He will appear the Second time too bodily
•     The Lord Jesus Christ will judge the living and the dead at His appearing
•     At His appearing will able be His kingdom, ie, the manifestation of His kingdom. He will reign at His appearing
•     Believers are to love His appearing and for all such there is laid up a crown of righteousness
•     This crown of righteousness will probably be given out at His appearing. This is not stated explicitly, but Paul seems to imply so. At least Paul doesn’t say this will be at his death or departure from this world. He seems to anticipate a future day
•     The Glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ is called the blessed hope of the believers
•     We are to look forward to that blessed hope

Taking the above considerations together we can safely conclude that servants of Christ are to serve the Lord until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord will appear in this world bodily as He did the first time, at His appearing the Lord Jesus will judge the living and the dead, at His appearing the Lord Jesus Christ will manifest or usher in His kingdom, we are love His appearing which is our blessed hope for which we are to eagerly look forward, viz. the appearing of our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now for the third word used in the NT to describe the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

There are 18 verses in the NT where the word VApoka,luyij| is used. The following is a list where this word is used in its 6 forms found in the NT.

Luke 2:32 A light to lighten (for revelation of – Darby) the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation (revelation – Darby) of the sons of God.

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming (revelation – Darby) of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing (revelation – Darby) of Jesus Christ:

 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

From the above mentioned verses, we can conclude that

•     Believers are to exercise their spiritual gifts for the Lord waiting for the revelation of the Lord
•     Believers who are now troubled by those who persecute them will find rest when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven with the angles of His might
•     The tried faith of the saints will be found unto praise, glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ
•     We are to be sober and hope to the end for God’s grace towards us
•     This grace will be given us at the revelation of Jesus Christ
•     Suffering saints can afford to wait until the Lord’s Glory is revealed. Then they will have joy

Putting the above considerations together, we may safely say that believers will be on this earth using their spiritual gifts for the Lord until the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Saints who are now persecuted by unbelievers will find rest when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven, therefore they are to wait soberly and hope to the end for God’s grace that will be given them at the revelation of Jesus Christ. In the meantime, they faith, though severely tried and tested and more precious than gold will be found to be unto praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and then they will have joy.

Finally, in summing up all that we have looked into.

Believers will be upon this earth unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto His revelation. This is our blessed hope and we ought to be soberly waiting for His appearing. Nowhere are we told that we are to look for a secret coming of the Lord into the mid-air to be caught away. Paul tells us that the Lord will descend from the heavens. He did not say, the Lord will descend into the heavens or into the mid-air. And when He descends from the heavens the dead in Christ will rise first and then living believers will be changed and caught up together with those who were dead, but have now be made alive.