Presence

Paul told the Galations "that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man . . . but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:11-12). It was "the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past" (Ro 16:25). A revelation is an apokalupsis (Gr.) or uncovering of something which had previously been covered being a mystery because its understanding had been hidden. But it is an apocalypse since the secret has been revealed such as when "their minds were hardened" (2Co 3:14) but then the truth is brought to light when the veil is "removed in Christ" (:14). Peter then explains "the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1Pe 1:13). At any time the Holy Spirit "may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph 1:18). However, Peter here is talking more about a revelation in the last days. Paul similarly discusses "awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Co 1:7). He also tells the Thessalonians "with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Th 2:1) to not be confused "to the effect that the day of the Lord has come" (:2). He had earlier explained to them "that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night" (1Th 5:2). He equates the "day of the Lord" (2Th 2:2) to the "coming of our Lord" (:1).

The translators use the Greek word parousia to explain the Coming, and since it is synonymous with the day of the Lord, it refers to the Second Coming. The concordance describes it as "a presence" or "a coming" but with the NASB the latter is most always used. It is from "to be present" or "to have come" which carries the meaning "to exist by the side of." However, Jesus had already promised this saying to the disciples, "'I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you'" (Jn 14:18). His return would be a spiritual coming in the presence of "another Helper, that He may be with you forever'" (:16) so that "'you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you'" (:20). Jesus also supplied a longer term application advising, "'Let not your heart be troubled'" (:1). He said, "'In My Father's house . . . I go to prepare a place for you . . . [so that when you die] I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also'" (:2-3). However, pretribulationists take "the coming of the Lord" (1Th 4:15) to mean that they would "be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall be always be with the Lord" (:17) in heaven. They interpret this parousia as Jesus coming down partway to snatch believers from the earth prior to the Tribulation. They distinguish it from his epiphany or appearing prior to the Millennium as being the first phase of a two-stage Second Coming. Their Rapture is necessary to piece together all the events in the last days for them.