Jesus Presence and Coming.
Daniel 7:13,14
"I kept watching in the visions of the night, and look! with the clouds of the heavens, someone like a son of man was coming; and he gained access to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him up close before that One. And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed Daniel 7:13, 14, where the Son of man is shown coming with the clouds of the heavens before the Ancient of Days, Jehovah God, to receive his kingdom. They confused his presence in Kingdom power with his first coming. He told them that no such sign would be given them.—Lu 11:29.
Illustration or Story that illustrates the difference between presence and coming
"MANDELA is coming! Mandela is coming!" sang the children of Soweto, South Africa. Nelson Mandela's release from prison on February 11, 1990, was greatly anticipated as the beginning of change in South Africa. However, for many years before he got out, his presence was felt. While still in prison, he had actively waged an "unrelenting crusade to abolish apartheid." As one international newsmagazine noted, the 27 years of imprisonment had not "diminished his presence—or his militancy." His release from prison well illustrates the difference between a coming and a presence.
By showing Elisha's servant the encircling chariots, God made "manifest to his servant his power and presence [pa·rou·siʹa]." Where is this in the Bible.
2 Kings 6:15-17 When the attendant of the man of the true God rose early and went outside, he saw that an army with horses and war chariots was surrounding the city. At once the attendant said to him: "Alas, my master! What are we to do?"16 But he said: "Do not be afraid! For there are more who are with us than those who are with them."17 Then E·liʹsha began to pray and say: "O Jehovah, open his eyes, please, that he may see." Immediately Jehovah opened the attendant's eyes and he saw, and look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around E·liʹsha.
1 Peter 3:20
20 who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah's days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water. Gen 6:3 mentions that God waited 120 years before he brought the flood to the contemporaries of Noah's day yes the "days before the flood" represented at extended period of time. A time when men and women could either choose to listen or refuse to listen to Noah. It like manner Jesus said his presence would be. Take for example Matthew 24:14 this good news of the kingdom would be preached as a witness to all the nations then the end would come. Note: Prior to the Flood, many humans lived for centuries. Noah was 600 years old when the Flood came, and he lived to be 950. (Gen. 7:6; 9:29) Some who were born after the Flood also lived much more than 120 years. Arpachshad died at 438 and Shelah at 433. (Gen. 11:10-15) Yet, by Moses' time, the normal life span was down to 70 or 80 years. (Ps. 90:10) So Genesis 6:3 was not fixing for humans a maximum or normal life span of 120 years.
Greek word for Coming
2064 Strong's Concordance erchomai: to come, go Original Word: ἔρχομαι Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erchomai Phonetic Spelling: (er'-khom-ahee) or air hoo my Short Definition: I come, go Definition: I come, go.
Exodus 25:21, 22
21 And you must place the cover above upon the Ark, and in the Ark you will place the testimony that I shall give you. 22 And I will present myself to you there and speak with you from above the cover, from between the two cherubs that are upon the ark of the testimony, even all that I shall command you for the sons of Israel.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This luminous cloud lit up the Most Holy. In fact, it was the only source of illumination in that compartment. The high priest would benefit from such lighting when he entered that innermost chamber on Atonement Day. He was standing in the presence of Jehovah. see also Lev 16:2 2 Jehovah said to Moses: "Tell Aaron your brother that he may not come at just any time into the holy place inside the curtain, in front of the cover on the Ark, so that he may not die, for I will appear over the cover in a cloud. Numbers 11:25 Then Jehovah came down in a cloud and spoke to him and took away some of the spirit that was on him and put it on each of the 70 elders. And as soon as the spirit settled down on them, they began to behave as prophets, but they did not do it again Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, look! a bright cloud overshadowed them, and look! a voice out of the cloud said: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved. Listen to him.
Hebrew 9:26
26 Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. But now he has manifested himself once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things to put sin away through the sacrifice of himself. When writing about the earthly life of Jesus in which he came to take away the sin of the world Paul says it was at the "conclusion of the system of things" that Christ manifested himself. Jesus the Lamb did not manifest himself for a moment and disappear he did so for and extended period of time 3 1/2 years. The Jewish system did not end until 70ce. Yes a conclusion is a time period leading up to the culmination of events leading up to the last days. Not the end of the world. Note: 1 Cor 10:11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.-------Evidently for this reason, Hebrews 9:26 says of Christ that he "manifested himself once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things to put sin away through the sacrifice of himself." Nevertheless, the distinguishing features of that age or epoch did not come to their complete end until 70 C.E., when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed and the Jewish people were scattered. This disaster—although the last Judean stronghold (at Masada) fell to the Romans three years later, or in 73 C.E.—permanently ended the Jewish priesthood, sacrifices, and temple worship as prescribed in the Law; it also ended the Jewish national arrangement as established by God. This is undoubtedly why the apostle, many years after Christ's death, but prior to the Roman devastation of Jerusalem, could relate certain past Israelite history and say: "Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived."—1Co 10:11; compare Mt 24:3; 1Pe 4:7.
1 Corinthians 5:3 an example of invisible presence
3 I for one, although absent in body but present in spirit, have certainly judged already, as if I were present, the man who has worked in such a way as this,
Jer 25:33
33 "'And those slain by Jehovah in that day will be from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be mourned, nor will they be gathered up or buried. They will become like manure on the surface of the ground.'
Conclusion (matthew 24:3) Greek word suntelia (sun tay leea)
A — 2: συντέλεια (Strong's #4930 — Noun Feminine — sunteleia — soon-tel'-i-ah ) Vines Dictionary under End/Ending signifies "a bringing to completion together" (sun "with," teleo, "to complete," akin to No. 1), marking the "completion" or consummation of the various parts of a scheme. In Matthew 13:39,40,49 ; 24:3 ; 28:20 , the rendering "the end of the world" (AV and RV, text) is misleading; the RV marg., "the consummation of the age," is correct. The word does not denote a termination, but the heading up of events to the appointed climax. Aion is not the world, but a period or epoch or era in which events take place. In Hebrews 9:26 , the word translated "world" (AV) is in the plural, and the phrase is "the consumation of the ages." It was at the heading up of all the various epochs appointed by Divine counsels that Christ was manifested (i.e., in His Incarnation) "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself
1 Peter 1 10-12
Also, the disciples knew that he had said that he would be killed and resurrected, and that he would go away to receive a kingdom and return. They wanted to be sure they recognized him then. But not yet having received holy spirit, they did not appreciate that he would not sit on an earthly throne; they had no idea that he would rule as a glorious spirit from the heavens and therefore did not know that his second presence would be invisible. They knew the prophecy of Daniel 7:13, 14 would be fulfilled somehow, but wondered how. Even faithful prophets before them had wondered about the Messiah's coming to earth and as to his taking of glorious power. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for you made a diligent inquiry and a careful search. 11 They kept on investigating what particular time or what season the spirit within them was indicating concerning Christ as it testified beforehand about the sufferings meant for Christ and about the glory that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were ministering, not to themselves, but to you, regarding what has now been announced to you by those who declared the good news to you with holy spirit sent from heaven. Into these very things, angels are desiring to peer.
Luke 17:20,21
Among them had been marked by many identifying events—fulfillments of prophecy such as by the preaching of John the Baptist and his testimony to the Messiah's anointing with holy spirit and the voice from heaven, by the healing of the sick, deaf, lame and blind and by the preaching of the good news. Even then it took faith to recognize him. (Matt. 11:2-6) On the other hand, they had heard him tell those who demanded to see a sign from him that their wicked generation would be given no sign except "the sign of Jonah the prophet." They had also heard him explain to the Pharisees, when asked by them when the kingdom of God was coming: "The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness, neither will people be saying, 'See here!' or, 'There!' For, look! the kingdom of God is in your midst. Notice this scripture 20 On being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, he answered them: "The Kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness; 21 nor will people say, 'See here!' or, 'There!' For look! the Kingdom of God is in your midst." Luke 17:20-22Amplified Bible (AMP) 20 Now having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed or with a visible display; 21 nor will people say, 'Look! Here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For the kingdom of God is among you [because of My presence]."
What is a word used for presence in another bible at Mt 24:3?
Appearance Archbishop Newcome's New Translation (Corrected Text) reads: "What will be the sign of thy appearance, and of the end of the age?"—1808 edition
What are some examples of Josephus using the term presence with God?
Examples from Josephus: At Mount Sinai lightning and thunder "declared God to be there present [pa·rou·siʹa]." The miraculous manifestation in the tabernacle "showed the presence [pa·rou·siʹa] of God." By showing Elisha's servant the encircling chariots, God made "manifest to his servant his power and presence [pa·rou·siʹa]." When Roman official Petronius tried to appease the Jews, Josephus claimed that 'God did show his presence [pa·rou·siʹa] to Petronius' by sending rain. Josephus did not apply pa·rou·siʹa to a mere approach or momentary arrival. It meant an ongoing, even invisible, presence. (Exodus 20:18-21; 25:22; Leviticus 16:2; 2 Kings 6:15-17)—Compare Antiquities of the Jews, Book 3, chapter 5, paragraph 2 [80]; chapter 8, paragraph 5 [203]; Book 9, chapter 4, paragraph 3 [55]; Book 18, chapter 8, paragraph 6 [284].
At Mount Sinai lightning and thunder "declared God to be there present
Exodus 20:18:21 Now all the people were witnessing the thunder and lightning, the sound of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and seeing this made them tremble and stand at a distance.19 So they said to Moses: "You speak with us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak with us, for fear that we will die."20 So Moses said to the people: "Do not be afraid, for the true God has come to put you to the test, in order that the fear of him may continue with you so that you may not sin."21 So the people kept standing at a distance, but Moses went near to the dark cloud where the true God was.
Matthew 24:30 30 Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. What does the cloud symbolize?
Fact: The Bible often associates clouds with something hidden from view. (Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 11:25; Deuteronomy 33:26) For example, God told Moses: "I am coming to you in a dark cloud." (Exodus 19:9) Moses did not literally see God. Likewise, Christ 'comes on the clouds' in that people perceive his coming even though they cannot literally see him.
Amos 3:7
For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing Unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.
After Jesus was resurrected he said at Matthew 28:18 ... "All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth."
Jesus has authority over his congregation, and since 1914 he has had authority over God's newly established Kingdom. Jesus' authority is not limited to the living. He is also "judge of the living and the dead" and has God-given power to resurrect those who have fallen asleep in death. but when does he use that authority, in the future. .So even though he was given authority after his resurrection he has not use this all his authority yet.
Would the world see Jesus any more?
John 14:19 "the world will behold me no more
The miraculous manifestation in the tabernacle "showed the presence [pa·rou·siʹa] of God." Where is this in the Bible?
Lev 16:2 Jehovah spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons who died for approaching Jehovah.2 Jehovah said to Moses: "Tell Aaron your brother that he may not come at just any time into the holy place inside the curtain, in front of the cover on the Ark, so that he may not die, for I will appear over the cover in a cloud.
11.While they were listening to these things, he told another illustration, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God was going to appear instantly.12 So he said: "A man of noble birth traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power for himself and to return.13 Calling ten of his slaves, he gave them ten miʹnas and told them, 'Do business with these until I come.'
Luke 19:11,12,13 Main Points: Notice the disciples thought the Kingdom of God was going to appear instantly. Jesus was going to a distant land to gain kingly power and then return , this would take time
Where in the bible does it show they believed Jesus would be king?
Mark 10:32-40 Now they were going on the road up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were astonished, but those who followed began to fear. Once again he took the Twelve aside and started to tell them these things that were about to happen to him: 33 "Look! We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to men of the nations, 34 and these will mock him and spit on him and scourge him and kill him, but three days later he will rise." 35 James and John, the sons of Zeb′e·dee, approached him and said to him: "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 He said to them: "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 They replied: "Grant us to sit down, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them: "You do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup that I am drinking or be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized?" 39 They said to him: "We can." At that Jesus said to them: "The cup I am drinking, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized, you will be baptized. 40 However, to sit down at my right hand or at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.
The the disciples expect Jesus to eventually become King?
Mark 10:35-40 James and John, the sons of Zebʹe·dee,+approached him and said to him: "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."+36 He said to them: "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 They replied: "Grant us to sit down, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."+ 38 But Jesus said to them: "You do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup that I am drinking or be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized?"+ 39 They said to him: "We can." At that Jesus said to them: "The cup I am drinking, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized, you will be baptized.+40 However, to sit down at my right hand or at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared. Notice the NTE says in verse 40 40 But sitting at my right hand or my left - that's not up to me. It's been assigned already.'
What scripture shows that seeing can mean to understand?
Matthew 13:14,15 And the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in their case. It says: 'You will indeed hear but by no means get the sense of it, and you will indeed look but by no means see. For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them NWT Ro 15:21 but just as it is written: "Those who received no report about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand NIRV Romans 15:21 It is written, "Those who were not told about him will understand. Those who have not heard will know what it all means." (Isaiah 52:15) NWT job 42:5 In hearsay* I have heard about you, But now my my eye does see you. Thus, "every eye will see him" in that all people will perceive that Jesus is the one who brings God's judgment.
Did Jesus leave his followers a sign of his coming?
Matthew 24:36 36 "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. However, he did describe a visible, composite "sign" that would identify the period leading up to his coming.—Matthew 24:3, 7-14; Luke 21:10, 11. Note: Did Jesus ever give a sign of his coming? No. he did not even know the day or hour.
2 John 7
Misconception: The words of 2 John 7 show that Jesus will come in the flesh. Fact: That Bible verse states: "Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those not acknowledging Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh." In the apostle John's day, some denied that Jesus had come to earth in the flesh as a man. They were called Gnostics. Second John 7 was written to refute their false claim.
Matthew 24:37-39
NWT (Matthew 24:37-39) 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ASV Mt 24:37 And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the(1) coming of the Son of man.(1) Gr presence ) Rotheham's Translation Mt 24:37 For, just as the days of Noah, so, will be the presence of the Son of Man; This is a great translation at this verse: Matthew 24:37-39 New Testament for Everyone (NTE) 37 You see, the royal appearing of the son of man will be like the days of Noah. 38 'What does that mean? Well, in those days, before the flood, they were eating and drinking, they were getting married and giving children in marriage, right up to the day when Noah went into the ark. 39 They didn't know about it until the flood came and swept them all away. That's what it'll be like at the royal appearing of the son of man. Notice, that the comparison is not between the coming of Noah and the coming of our Lord . . . The contrast, then, is between the time of the presence of Noah among the people 'before the flood,' and the time of the presence of Christ in the world, at his second advent, 'before the fire'—the extreme trouble of the Day of the Lord [Jehovah] with which this age ends."
Period of Time - DAYS Matthew 24:37- days of Noah 24:37,39 - so the presence of the Son of man (Parousia) 24:38 - For as they were in those days before the Flood Luke 17:26 - the days of Noah 17:28 - the days of Lot 17:26 - the days of the Son of man
One Day or Event - DAY Matthew 24:38 - the day that Noah entered 24:42 - what day your lord is coming (erchomai) Luke 17:27 - that day ... the flood arrived 17:29 - the day ... it rained fire 17:30 - that day when the Son of man is to be revealed (come) 17:31 On that day ... on the housetop ... in the field. Here is how some translations read ERV Matthew 24:38 part B "In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married right up to the day Noah entered the boat." Notice now the word "days" in Matthew 24:38 refers not to a moment in time but a duration of time. Notice in this verse that "a day refers to when the flood came that was like moment in time. notice also in Matthew 24:30 the footnote in the NWT says: the sign of the Son of man: This sign is not the same as "the sign of [Jesus'] presence" mentioned at Mt 24:3. The sign mentioned here is connected with the "coming" of the Son of man as Judge to pronounce and execute judgment during the great tribulation.—See study note on coming in this verse.
What does : " the sign of your presence " mean?
Pointedly, pa·rou·siʹa means "presence." Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says: "PAROUSIA, . . . lit[erally], a presence, para, with, and ousia, being (from eimi, to be), denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with. For instance, in a papyrus letter a lady speaks of the necessity of her parousia in a place in order to attend to matters relating to her property." Other lexicons explain that pa·rou·siʹa denotes 'the visit of a ruler.' Hence, it is not just the moment of arrival, but a presence extending from the arrival onward. Interestingly, that is how Jewish historian Josephus, a contemporary of the apostles, used pa·rou·siʹa.* w96 8/15 pp. 9-14 Jesus' Coming or Jesus' Presence—Which? w96 8/15 p. 11-12 Jesus' Coming or Jesus' Presence—Which? The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom—1996 Subheadings Similar Material What Were They Asking? What Matthew Wrote—In Greek Hebrew-Language Aspects Awaiting the Climax of His Presence Jesus' Coming or Jesus' Presence—Which? "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"—MATTHEW 24:3. 1. What role did questions have in Jesus' ministry? JESUS' skillful use of questions made his listeners think, even consider things from new perspectives. (Mark 12:35-37; Luke 6:9; 9:20; 20:3, 4) We can be thankful that he also answered questions. His answers illuminate truths that we might not otherwise have known or understood.—Mark 7:17-23; 9:11-13; 10:10-12; 12:18-27. 2. To what question should we give our attention now? 2 At Matthew 24:3, we find one of the most important questions Jesus ever answered. With the end of his earthly life near, Jesus had just warned that Jerusalem's temple would be destroyed, marking the end of the Jewish system. Matthew's account adds: "While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: 'Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence ["coming," King James Version] and of the conclusion of the system of things?'"—Matthew 24:3. 3, 4. What significant difference is there in how Bibles render a key word at Matthew 24:3? 3 Millions of Bible readers have wondered, 'Why did the disciples ask that question, and how should Jesus' reply affect me?' In his reply Jesus spoke of the appearance of leaves showing that summer "is near." (Matthew 24:32, 33) Hence, many churches teach that the apostles were asking for a sign of Jesus' "coming," the sign proving that his return was imminent. They believe that the "coming" will be the point when he takes Christians to heaven and then brings the end of the world. Do you believe that this is correct? 4 Instead of the rendering "coming," some Bible versions, including the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, use the word "presence." Could it be that what the disciples asked about and what Jesus said in reply differ from what is taught in churches? What really was asked? And what answer did Jesus give? What Were They Asking? 5, 6. What can we conclude about the apostles' thinking when they asked the question that we read at Matthew 24:3? 5 In view of what Jesus said about the temple, the disciples likely were thinking of the Jewish arrangement when they asked for 'a sign of his presence [or, "coming"] and the conclusion of the system of things [literally, "age"].'—Compare "world" at 1 Corinthians 10:11 and Galatians 1:4, KJ. 6 At this point the apostles had but a limited grasp of Jesus' teachings. They had earlier imagined that "the kingdom of God was going to display itself instantly." (Luke 19:11; Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 10:35-40) 10And even after the discussion on the Mount of Olives, but prior to being anointed with holy spirit, they asked if Jesus was restoring the Kingdom to Israel then.—Acts 1:6. 7. Why would the apostles ask Jesus about his future role? 7 Yet, they did know that he would leave, for he had recently said: "The light will be among you a little while longer. Walk while you have the light." (John 12:35; Luke 19:12-27) So they might well have wondered, 'If Jesus is going to leave, how will we recognize his return?' When he appeared as the Messiah, most did not recognize him. And over a year later, questions persisted about whether he would fulfill all that the Messiah was to do. (Matthew 11:2, 3) So the apostles had reason to inquire about the future. But, again, were they asking for a sign that he would soon come or for something different? . 11. (a) What is the sense of pa·rou·siʹa? (b) How do examples from Josephus' writing bear out our understanding of pa·rou·siʹa? (See footnote.) 11 Pointedly, pa·rou·siʹa means "presence." Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says: "PAROUSIA, . . . lit[erally], a presence, para, with, and ousia, being (from eimi, to be), denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with. For instance, in a papyrus letter a lady speaks of the necessity of her parousia in a place in order to attend to matters relating to her property." Other lexicons explain that pa·rou·siʹa denotes 'the visit of a ruler.' Hence, it is not just the moment of arrival, but a presence extending from the arrival onward. Interestingly, that is how Jewish historian Josephus, a contemporary of the apostles, used pa·rou·siʹa.* 12. How does the Bible itself help us to confirm the meaning of pa·rou·siʹa? 12 The meaning "presence" is clearly borne out by ancient literature, yet Christians are particularly interested in how God's Word uses pa·rou·siʹa. The answer is the same—presence. We see that from examples in Paul's letters. For instance, he wrote to the Philippians: "In the way that you have always obeyed, not during my presence only, but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out your own salvation." He also spoke of abiding with them that they might exult "through [his] presence [pa·rou·siʹa] again with [them]." (Philippians 1:25, 26; 2:12) Other versions read "my being with you again" (Weymouth; New International Version); "when I am with you again" (Jerusalem Bible; New English Bible); and "when you once more have me among you." (Twentieth Century New Testament) At 2 Corinthians 10:10, 11, Paul contrasted "his presence in person" with being "absent." In these examples he plainly was not speaking of his approach or arrival; he used pa·rou·siʹa in the sense of being present.*(Compare 1 Corinthians 16:17.) What, though, about references to Jesus' pa·rou·siʹa? Are they with the sense of his "coming," or do they indicate an extended presence? 13, 14. (a) Why must we conclude that a pa·rou·siʹa extends over time? (b) What must be said about the length of Jesus' pa·rou·siʹa? 13 Spirit-anointed Christians in Paul's day were interested in Jesus' pa·rou·siʹa. But Paul warned them not to be 'shaken from their reason.' First there must appear "the man of lawlessness," which has proved to be the clergy of Christendom. Paul wrote that "the lawless one's presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs." (2 Thessalonians 2:2, 3, 9) Plainly, the pa·rou·siʹa, or presence, of "the man of lawlessness" was not just a momentary arrival; it would extend over time, during which lying signs would be produced. Why is this significant? 14 Consider the verse immediately before that: "The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence." Just as the presence of "the man of lawlessness" would be over a period of time, Jesus' presence would extend for some time and would climax in the destruction of that lawless "son of destruction."—2 Thessalonians 2:8. Hebrew-Language Aspects 15, 16. (a) What particular word is used in many translations of Matthew into Hebrew? (b) How is bohʼ used in the Scriptures? 15 As noted, Matthew evidently wrote his Gospel first in the Hebrew language. So, what Hebrew word did he use at Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39? Versions of Matthew translated into modern Hebrew have a form of the verb bohʼ, both in the apostles' question and in Jesus' reply. This could lead to readings such as: "What will be the sign of your [bohʼ] and of the conclusion of the system of things?" and, "As the days of Noah were, so the [bohʼ] of the Son of man will be." What does bohʼ mean? 16 Though having various senses, the Hebrew verb bohʼ basically means "come." The Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament says: 'Occurring 2,532 times, bohʼ is one of the most frequently used verbs in the Hebrew Scriptures and is at the head of verbs expressing motion.' (Genesis 7:1,13; Exodus 12:25; 28:35; 2 Samuel 19:30; 2 Kings 10:21; Psalm 65:2; Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 11:16;Daniel 9:13; Amos 8:11) Had Jesus and the apostles used a word with such a range of meanings, the sense might be debatable. But did they? 17. (a) Why may modern Hebrew translations of Matthew not necessarily indicate what Jesus and the apostles said? (b) Where else may we find a clue as to what word Jesus and the apostles may have used, and for what other reason is this source of interest to us? (See footnote.) 17 Bear in mind that modern Hebrew versions are translations that may not present exactly what Matthew penned in Hebrew. The fact is that Jesus could well have used a word other than bohʼ, one that fitted the sense of pa·rou·siʹa. We see this from the 1995 book Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, by Professor George Howard. The book focused on a 14th-century polemic against Christianity by the Jewish physician Shem-Tob ben Isaac Ibn Shaprut. That document set out a Hebrew text of Matthew's Gospel. There is evidence that rather than being translated from Latin or Greek in Shem-Tob's time, this text of Matthew was very old and was originally composed in Hebrew.* It thus may bring us closer to what was said on the Mount of Olives. 18. What interesting Hebrew word does Shem-Tob use, and what does it mean? 18 At Matthew 24:3, 27, 39, Shem-Tob's Matthew does not use the verb bohʼ. Instead, it uses the related noun bi·ʼahʹ. That noun appears in the Hebrew Scriptures only at Ezekiel 8:5, where it means "entranceway." Instead of expressing the action of coming, bi·ʼahʹ there refers to the start of a building; when you are in the entryway or on the threshold, you are in the building. Also, non-Biblical religious documents among the Dead Sea Scrolls often use bi·ʼahʹ regarding the arrival or commencement of priestly courses. (See 1 Chronicles 24:3-19; Luke 1:5, 8, 23.) And a 1986 translation into Hebrew of the ancient Syriac (or, Aramaic) Peshitta uses bi·ʼahʹ at Matthew 24:3, 27,37, 39. So there is evidence that in ancient times the noun bi·ʼahʹ may have had a sense that differed somewhat from the verb bohʼ used in the Bible. Why is this of interest? 19. If Jesus and the apostles used bi·ʼah,ʹ what might we conclude? 19 The apostles in their question and Jesus in his reply may have used this noun bi·ʼah.ʹ Even if the apostles had in mind simply the idea of Jesus' future arrival, Christ may have used bi·ʼahʹ to allow for more than what they were thinking. Jesus could have been pointing to his arrival to commence a new office; his arrival would be the start of his new role. This would match the sense of pa·rou·siʹa, which Matthew subsequently used. Such a use of bi·ʼahʹ would, understandably, have to support what Jehovah's Witnesses have long taught, that the composite "sign" Jesus gave was to reflect that he was present. Awaiting the Climax of His Presence 20, 21. What can we learn from Jesus' comment about the days of Noah? 20 Our study of Jesus' presence should have a direct bearing on our life and our expectations. Jesus urged his followers to stay alert. He provided a sign so that his presence could be recognized, though most would take no note: "As the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be."—Matthew 24:37-39. 21 During the days of Noah, most people of that generation just carried on with their normal affairs. Jesus foretold that it would be the same with "the presence of the Son of man." The people around Noah might have felt that nothing would happen. You know differently. Those days, which spread over time, led to a climax, "the flood came and swept them all away." Luke presents a similar account in which Jesus compared "the days of Noah" with "the days of the Son of man." Jesus admonished: "The same way it will be on that day when the Son of man is to be revealed."—Luke 17:26-30. 22. Why should we be particularly interested in Jesus' prophecy in Matthew chapter 24? 22 All of this takes on special meaning for us because we are living at a time when we recognize the events that Jesus foretold—wars, earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages, and persecution of his disciples. (Matthew 24:7-9;Luke 21:10-12) Such have been in evidence since the history-changing conflict significantly named World War I, though most people treat these as normal parts of history. True Christians, however, sense the meaning of these momentous events, just as alert people understand from the leafing of a fig tree that summer is near. Jesus advised: "In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near."—Luke 21:31. 23. To whom do Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 24 have special meaning, and why? 23 Jesus directed much of his reply on the Mount of Olives to his followers. They were the ones to share in the lifesaving work of preaching the good news in all the earth before the end would come. They would be the ones who could discern "the disgusting thing that causes desolation . . . standing in a holy place." They would be the ones to respond by "fleeing" before the great tribulation. And they would be the ones particularly affected by the added words: "Unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:9, 14-22) But just what do those sobering words mean, and why can it be said that they provide a basis for us to have increased happiness, confidence, and zeal now? The following study of Matthew 24:22will provide the answers. [Footnotes] Examples from Josephus: At Mount Sinai lightning and thunder "declared God to be there present [pa·rou·siʹa]." The miraculous manifestation in the tabernacle "showed the presence [pa·rou·siʹa] of God." By showing Elisha's servant the encircling chariots, God made "manifest to his servant his power and presence [pa·rou·siʹa]." When Roman official Petronius tried to appease the Jews, Josephus claimed that 'God did show his presence [pa·rou·siʹa] to Petronius' by sending rain. Josephus did not apply pa·rou·siʹa to a mere approach or momentary arrival. It meant an ongoing, even invisible, presence. (Exodus 20:18-21; 25:22; Leviticus 16:2; 2 Kings 6:15-17)—Compare Antiquities of the Jews, Book 3, chapter 5, paragraph 2 [80]; chapter 8, paragraph 5 [203]; Book 9, chapter 4, paragraph 3 [55]; Book 18, chapter 8, paragraph 6 [284]. In A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, E. W. Bullinger points out that pa·rou·siʹa means 'the being or becoming present, hence, presence, arrival; a coming which includes the idea of a permanent dwelling from that coming onwards.' Footnote Examples from Josephus: At Mount Sinai lightning and thunder "declared God to be there present [pa·rou·siʹa]." The miraculous manifestation in the tabernacle "showed the presence [pa·rou·siʹa] of God." By showing Elisha's servant the encircling chariots, God made "manifest to his servant his power and presence [pa·rou·siʹa]." When Roman official Petronius tried to appease the Jews, Josephus claimed that 'God did show his presence [pa·rou·siʹa] to Petronius' by sending rain. Josephus did not apply pa·rou·siʹa to a mere approach or momentary arrival. It meant an ongoing, even invisible, presence. (Exodus 20:18-21;25:22; Leviticus 16:2; 2 Kings 6:15-17)—Compare Antiquities of the Jews, Book 3, chapter 5, paragraph 2 [80]; chapter 8, In A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, E. W. Bullinger points out that pa·rou·siʹa means 'the being or becoming present, hence, presence, arrival; a coming which includes the idea of a permanent dwelling from that coming onwards.' 96 WT 8/15 pg 13,14 also 15-20
Asking what will be the sign of your presence could be compared to asking what today.
Question: Hey Willie how will I know when you are back in town. Answer Oh your see my car parked in front of my house.
Rev 1:7
Revelation 1:7 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen. In what sense will 'every eye see him'? They will discern from events on earth that he is invisibly present. Also referring to sight that is not physical, John 9:41 reports: "Jesus said to [the Pharisees]: 'If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, "We see." Your sin remains.'" (Compare Romans 1:20.) Following Christ's return, some persons show faith; they recognize the sign of his presence. Others reject the evidence, but when Christ goes into action as God's executioner of the wicked, even they will discern from the manifestation of his power that the destruction is not from men but from heaven. They will know what is happening because they were warned in advance. Because of what is overtaking them, they will "beat themselves in grief." Who are "those who pierced him"? Literally, Roman soldiers did this at the time of Jesus' execution. But they have long been dead. So this must refer to people who similarly mistreat, or 'pierce,' Christ's true followers during "the last days."—Matt. 25:40, 45.
Aion
Some Bibles use the word "world" instead of "system of things." W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says that the Greek word ai·on′ "signifies a period of indefinite duration, or time viewed in relation to what takes place in the period. The word occurs most frequently in the Gospel of John, the Hebrews and Revelation. It is sometimes wrongly rendered "world".
Jesus switched from using Parousia to using erchomai at Mt 24:42
Strong's Concordance erchomai: to come, go Original Word: ἔρχομαι Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erchomai Phonetic Spelling: (er'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I come, go Definition: I come, goStrong's Concordance erchomai: to come, go Original Word: ἔρχομαι Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erchomai Phonetic Spelling: (er'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I come, go Definition: I come, go Example: Youngs translation - 37and as the days of Noah — so shall be also the presence of the Son of Man; 38for as they were, in the days before the flood, eating, and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, till the day Noah entered into the ark, 39and they did not know till the flood came and took all away; so shall be also the presence of the Son of Man. 40Then two men shall be in the field, the one is received, and the one is left; 41two women shall be grinding in the mill, one is received, and one is left. 42'Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come
Gen 6:3
The Bible tells us that Jehovah issued a decree in heaven. According to Genesis 6:3, he said: "My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years." This was not a statement regarding the average human lifespan. It was a judicial decree in which Jehovah declared when he would act to cleanse the earth of ungodliness. Since the Flood began in 2370 B.C.E., we infer that God made this pronouncement in 2490 B.C.E. At that time, Noah was 480 years old.
Mark 8:11,12
They (his followers) looked for him to do at his first presence (or appearance on earth) the things he was actually going to do at his second presence as the heavenly King. They stumbled over him. Even the Pharisees wanted a sign. 11 Here the Pharisees came and started disputing with him, demanding from him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test. 12 So he sighed deeply in his spirit and said: "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say, no sign will be given to this generation
Jesus coming has to do with what?
To judge mankind, Armegeddon, great tribulation.
Luke 19:12
When they were hearing these things, he added an illustration, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they were thinking that the kingdom of God instantly was about to display itself. 12 Therefore he said: "A certain man of noble birth traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power for himself and to return.
Matthew 24:3
While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" Rotherham's Translation.....Matt 24:3— Tell us, when these things shall be, — and what the sign of thy presence, and the conclusion of the age. The Holy bible in modern English Matt 24:3 ....what will be the signal of your presence, and the completion of the age. ASV - Mt 24:3 And as he sat on 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(1) coming, and of(2) the end of the world?(1) Gr presence 2) Or the consummation of the age ) YLT -Mt 24:3 And when he is sitting on the mount of the Olives, the disciples came near to him by himself, saying, `Tell us, when shall these be? and what is the sign of thy presence, and of the full end of the age?' Archbishop Newcome's New Translation (Corrected Text) reads: "What will be the sign of thy appearance, and of the end of the age?"—1808 edition Matthew 24:3New Testament for Everyone (NTE) 3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are going to appear as king, and that the end of the age is upon us Matthew 24:3 Julia Smith Translation 3 And sitting upon the mount of Olives, his disciples came to him apart, saying, Say to us when these shall be, and what the sign of thy arrival, and the termination of the time Matthew 24:3 ExeGeses Companion Bible THE MOUNT OF OLIVES SPEECH OF YAH SHUA And he sits on the mount of Olives and the disciples come to him privately, wording, Tell us, When become these? And what is the sign of your parousia? And of the completion/shalom of the eon? Matthew 24:3 Concordant Literal Version 3 Now at His sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what is the sign of Thy presence and of the conclusion of the eon? Matthew 24:3 Analytical Literal Tranlation 3 Then as He is sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately, saying, "Tell us when these [things] will be? And what [is] the sign of Your Arrival and of the conclusion of the age?" Matthew 24:3 Emphatic Diaglott New Testament 3 Sitting and of him upon the mountain of the olive tree, came to him the disciples privately saying: Tell to us, when these (things) shall be? and what the sign of the thy presence and of the end of the age? Matthew 24:3 Johnathan Mitchell New Testament 3 Now later, during His continued sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached Him, privately (in accord with His being in His own space and place), saying in turn, "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being, and what [is] the sign pertaining to Your presence, as well as (or: even) the combination of parts to one end (or: the bringing to one end together; the combined consummation; the joint, final act) of the age?" Matthew 24:3 An Understandable Version 3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things [you just spoke of] happen? And what will be the sign that indicates your presence and the end of the [present] age?" Matthew 24:3 New Simplified Bible 3 He sat on the Mount of Olives. The disciples came to him privately, saying: »Tell us when these things will be? What will be the sign of your presence and of the end of the age?« New Testament for Everyone As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are going to appear as king, and that the end of the age is upon us?'
pa·rou·si′a
literally means "a being alongside," it being drawn from the Greek preposition para′ ("alongside") and ousía (a "being").
Parousia official term
pa·rou·si′a, "became the official term for a visit of a person of high rank, esp[ecially] of kings and emperors visiting a province." So this expression refers to the royal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ as King, from and after 1914, following his enthronement in heaven
