Disciples Digital Library

The arrival of Jesus will be an event of great victory and utter finality. That day will include the resurrection and the New Creation . The return of Jesus is portrayed in the New Testament as a singular event, one of great finality. His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the appearance of the New Creation, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the judgment and punishment of the ungodly, “ the gathering of his elect ,” and the end of Death.

Paul revealed a mystery to the Corinthians. Believers who remain alive when Jesus returns will be transformed and receive immortal bodies . Certain members of the Corinthian congregation were denying the future resurrection of believers. Paul responded by stressing the necessity for resurrection. He also appealed to Christ’s past Death and Resurrection as the precedent of our resurrection. We will be raised bodily when he “ arrives <…> at the last trumpet ,” and those saints still alive will be transformed.

In explaining the resurrection, Paul lists key events that will precede or coincide with the arrival of Jesus at the close of the present age . Paul outlined the events that will occur at or shortly before the “ arrival ” of Jesus in  1 Corinthians . The Greek noun ‘ Parousia ’ or “ arrival ” is one of several terms Paul applies to the future coming of the Lord in his letters. Regardless of which term is used, the Apostle always refers to one “ coming ,” one “ appearance ,” one “ revelation ” and one “ appearance ” of the Son of God, not two or more.

Paul reminded Timothy of the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death since false teachers were denying the future resurrection of believers . Paul responded to false teachings about the resurrection of believers in his second letter to Timothy. Certain voices denied this essential truth. “ God did not give us a spirit of fear but of a sound mind ,” and this included overcoming our anxieties about death. Jesus was victorious over death and now gives men and women life “ through the Gospel .”

Central to the hope of the Apostolic Faith is the bodily resurrection of the dead. This will occur when Jesus appears at the end of the age . The biblical faith is forward-looking. Foundational to the doctrine of salvation is the resurrection of the righteous dead. That event will also mark the arrival of the New Creation. The New Testament links the resurrection of the saints to two events. The past Resurrection of Jesus, and his arrival at the end of the age. Our salvation will remain incomplete until Christ raises us from the dead.

Salvation includes the resurrection of the saints and the New Creation. Both events will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven . Redemption is part of God’s salvation. He will not abandon what He created and called “ very good! ” Redemption points to the recovery of what has been lost. The Universe is enslaved by sin and condemned to decay and death. All living creatures die. However, in the redemptive plans of the Creator, the end state of the things redeemed by Him will be vastly superior to their original condition, and this principle is epitomized in the bodily resurrection of men and women saved by Jesus Christ.

In explaining the resurrection, Paul lists key events that will precede or coincide with Christ's arrival at the end of the age . Paul outlined the events that will occur at or shortly before the “ arrival ” of Jesus in  1 Corinthians . The Greek noun ‘ Parousia ’ is one of several terms Paul applied to the future coming of the Lord. Regardless of which term he used, he always referred to one “ coming ,” one “ appearance ,” one “ revelation ” or “ appearance ” of the Son of God, not two (or more).

The arrival of Jesus with great glory will result in the resurrection of the righteous dead, and the end of Death itself  - 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. Paul responded to believers who denied the coming resurrection of the righteous by stressing the necessity of resurrection for our salvation and life in the new creation. He pointed to Christ’s past Death and Resurrection as the precedent for and guarantee of our own resurrection.  We will be raised bodily when Jesus arrives from the heavens.

Jesus will return at the “ end ” of the present age with great power and glory. All the “ tribes of the Earth ” will see him when he appears on the “ clouds of Heaven ” and “ gathers his elect .” His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ will be followed by the judgment of the ungodly, both celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the resurrection and vindication of the righteous, the New Creation, and the termination of death itself. Thus, it will be an event of  GREAT FINALITY .

Foundational to our future hope is bodily Resurrection when Jesus arrives in glory at the End of the Age . Paul’s description of the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus in his first letter to the Thessalonians was written to comfort believers over the fate of their compatriots who die before Christ’s return. We need not sorrow “ like the others ” since   the righteous dead will be resurrected when the Lord “ arrives ” from Heaven.

The Good News announced by Jesus of Nazareth provides salvation and life for men and women of every nation and people . After his resurrection, Jesus declared: “ All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations !” Thus, he sent his disciples to announce his lordship and salvation to the “ ends of the Earth .” Christ’s Death and Resurrection are the foundation of the “ Good News ” of God’s kingdom and gracious salvation, and this  life-giving  message must be announced to all men and in every nation under heaven.

The fourth seal releases “Death,” and “Hades” follows gathering the dead in its wake  –  Revelation 6:7-8 .  The “victims” harmed by the first three seal openings have not been identified, although details from the tasks assigned to each “ rider ” provide clues. Nothing has been said about the enemies of the “ Lamb ,” or about judgments against the “ inhabitants of the earth .” Moreover, the actions of the “ four riders ” are never labeled “plagues,” “wrath,” or “judgments.”

Paul responded to concerns about the dead in Christ by pointing to the resurrection that will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven .  In his first Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reassured the congregation concerning the participation of saints who die before the ‘ Parousia ’ in the glories of that day. According to him,  BOTH  dead and living saints will assemble and “ meet ” the Lord as he descends from Heaven. Thereafter, they will be with Jesus “ forevermore .” He wrote these words in response to believers who were sorrowing over the deaths of fellow saints.