Understanding Eschatology: ἔρχομαι/ παρουσία

Meanings of the Word “Coming”

There are two important Greek words that are used to refer to Jesus’s coming:

ἔρχομαι- 1) to move toward, travel toward, or approach something or somebody; whether physically or as an abstract location; 2) to come to pass or arrive, as in due course; understood as if an event were coming to or arriving at a location; 3) to reach or enter a state, relation, condition, use, or position; 4) to behave in accordance or in agreement with; 5) to be brought somewhere, conceived of as coming to a location irrespective of agency.

παρουσία- 1) the act of arriving at a certain place; 2) The state of being in the same spatial area as another.

Lexham Theological Wordbook παρουσία

In non-Christian literature it sometimes has the special sense of a visit from an important figure, such as royalty or a deity. In the New Testament it sometimes refers to merely human visits (e.g., 1 Cor 16:17, Phil 1:26), but often has a specialized sense referring to the advent of Christ’s presence. Christ’s coming (parousia) will be obvious (Matt 24:27; 2 Thess 2:1) and sudden (Matt 24:37–39), though with some warning signs (Matt 24:3). This advent (parousia) will be for judgment (e.g., 2 Thess 2:8; 2 Peter 3:11–12), and believers should be prepared so they can be blameless and rejoice at Christ’s arrival (parousia; e.g., 1 Thess 2:19; 3:13; 4:15); in the meantime, they wait patiently for it (Jas 5:7–8; 2 Peter 3:4).

Theological Lexicon of the New Testament παρουσία

In the Hellenistic period, it refers (except in commonplace uses) either to a divine manifestation—often very close to epiphaneia (1 Tim 6:14; Titus 2:13; 2 Tim 4:1, 8) and phanerōsis, and even apokalypsis—or the formal visit of a sovereign, his “joyous entry” into a city6 that honors him as a god (Dittenberger, Syl. 814, 36: “the gods always present at his side to protect and preserve him”).

Drawing the Connection

The coming of Jesus is referred to as a matter of fact event. That is, the apostles simply assume that it will happen. Therefore, there’s not much of an explanation, because the reader’s understanding is assumed. So where does this understanding come?

Daniel 7:13–14 CSB

13 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Interestingly, when Daniel is asked about what he saw, including the coming of the Lord on clouds, he shares that this is a vision of how kingdoms will rise out of the earth, but the saints will possess the kingdom.

When we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we often read Matthew 24 and disconnect Matthew 24:3 from the context. Therefore, we conclude that Jesus’ coming is the primary focus, when in reality the destruction of the temple is the primary focus. This is clear in Mark 15, but has somehow become ignored in Matthew 24. Essentially, we learn that the destruction of Jerusalem in Mark 13 happens at the same time as the coming of Jesus in Matthew 24:3.