Parousia is a Greek word used in the Christian Greek Scriptures. It appears 24 times in the so-called New Testament. The Greek word parousia literally means “being alongside.” Most translations have mistranslated parousia as “coming”—as in the second coming of Christ.
The New World Translation consistently renders parousia as “presence.” That is because presence is in contrast with absence. For example, Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Consequently, my beloved ones, just as you have always obeyed, not only during my presence but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (2:8)
C.T. Russell understood the difference between the Greek words parousia and erkhomai, the latter being translated as “coming” or “arrival.” Once a person who is coming arrives, they are present. It is not a difficult concept to grasp.
However, inexplicably, the Founder of the Watchtower Society imagined that Christ’s second presence, as it was referred to for many years, would be invisible. In fact, Russell convinced his followers that the presence of the Son of man had begun in 1874. Although the date has since been adjusted forward to 1914, the Watchtower resolutely maintains that the second presence is invisible. How could they teach otherwise since no one of sound mind has seen Jesus?
One thing is certain: there is much falsehood, confusion, and misunderstanding regarding the second coming of Christ. How could it be otherwise? Did not Jesus warn his disciples of this? It is sobering that when the apostles asked Jesus about the sign of his presence, the first thing he said was, “Look out that nobody misleads you, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet.” – Mathew 24:4-6
Now, here is a question that Jehovah’s Witnesses may find disturbing: Did Pastor Russell mislead the Bible Students regarding the presence of Christ having begun in 1874? Obviously, yes. Was it cunning and intentional? Probably not. But Russell certainly came on the basis of the name of Christ. He was even singularly regarded as the faithful and discreet slave.
Since Jesus is specifically addressing the called ones who will be on earth when the Son of man arrives and is present, and before his arrival like a thief in the night all of those called are in the congregation of the firstborn enrolled in the heavens, the misleading influence that Christ warned about must come from within the congregation.
What is the basis for the Watchtower’s teaching that the parousia is invisible? It is accepted as truth that there is no reason for Jesus to return in the flesh, and since spirits are invisible, his return must also be unseen to human eyes.
Is that it? Is it that simple? No. Jesus spoke of his revelation. What is implied by the revelation or revealing? Is it reasonable that there is an invisible revealing? Who would believe such an absurdity? Sadly, millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses under the influence of the Watchtower do.
IS THE REVEALING THE SAME AS THE PAROUSIA?
In the 17th chapter of Luke, Jesus spoke of his second presence. It is a different occasion than when the disciples were with Jesus on the Mount of Olives and asked him for the sign of his parousia. When asked about the coming of the Kingdom, Jesus responded that it was not coming with striking observability, and he went on to say: “Days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, but you will not see it. And people will say to you, ‘See there!’ or, ‘See here!’ Do not go out or chase after them. For just as lightning flashes from one part of heaven to another part of heaven, so the Son of man will be in his day.”
Please note that Jesus referred to “his day.” What day is that? Elsewhere in scripture, the apostle Paul referred to the day of Jesus Christ and the day of the Lord. Revelation also uses the term the Lord’s day. Reasonably, the “day” of Jesus Christ and the Lord’s day are the same thing.
When discussing the conclusion recorded in the 24th chapter of Mathew, Jesus said something very similar as recorded in Luke, only slightly altered to say: “so the presence of the Son of man will be.” So, the presence of the Son of man is the same as the “day” of the Son of man, also known as the day of the Lord.
Furthermore, Jesus likened his presence to the days of Noah and the day Lot came out of Sodom. And then Jesus said: “But on the day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be the same on that day when the Son of man is revealed.” – Luke 17:29-30
Returning to Mathew’s account, Jesus said, “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” – Matthew 24:36-37
If we set aside dogma and the unreasonable, unscriptural belief that whatever the faithful slave says is true, and if we are honest and sensible in testing the inspired expressions to see if they originate with God, we will come to the inevitable conclusion that the parousia is the same thing as the revealing of the Son of man. Now, again, I ask you: Is it sensible that the revealing of the Son of man is invisible?
This is not to suggest that everyone will experience the Son of man when he is revealed. Speaking to his apostles on the night of his arrest, Jesus plainly said: “I will not leave you bereaved. I am coming to you. In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. In that day you will know that I am in union with my Father and you are in union with me and I am in union with you.” – John 14:18-20
It is a fact that no unbelieving Jew saw Jesus after he was resurrected. Only those who believed Jesus was the Son of God before his death were privileged to see him post-resurrection. Some 500 of his disciples saw him then. But the context of the 14th chapter of John has to do with Jesus’ second coming, as Jesus said in the opening verses of that chapter: “In the house of my Father are many dwelling places. Otherwise, I would have told you, for I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be. And where I am going, you know the way.”
It is important to note that Jesus said he would “come again.” Since, in verse 18, Jesus said, “I am coming to you,” which, as already stated, could be understood as being fulfilled when Jesus appeared to his disciples over the course of the 40 days before he ascended to heaven, it remains that when he “comes again,” it will be “the second time he appears,” as Paul said at Hebrews 9:28. That is when the Son of man will be visibly revealed to the chosen.
While we can positively rule out Jesus manifesting himself in the flesh again, as he did after his resurrection, we should not embrace the absurdity that, because spirits are invisible to human eyes, the revealing of the Son of man will be invisible. Spirits may manifest themselves in various ways. For example, on the road to Damascus, Saul/Paul saw the post-ascension manifestation of Jesus not as a man but as a spirit. He is the only human to have seen Christ in that form. Paul was blind for three days as a result os his encounter. Later, Paul said that his rendezvous with the superhuman Christ was as if he had been born prematurely.
WHEN IS THE PAROUSIA AND REVEALING OF CHRIST?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are familiar with the 24th chapter of the book of Mathew—perhaps overly familiar. What I mean is that we might read and hear something explained many times and assume we understand it. But such is not always the case. The disciples heard Jesus speak plainly about his going to Jerusalem and being killed by the Jews. They heard it, but they could not understand what Jesus was saying. That is because they had fixed certain assumptions in their minds about the imminence of the Kingdom. How could the king be killed and still rule in his kingdom? With that in mind…
When Jesus told his disciples, and by extension us, that nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom along with food shortages, pestilence, and great earthquakes, were these to be the sign of his presence? Jehovah’s Witnesses will unhesitatingly answer “yes.” Then they will point back to 1914 and the outbreak of the Great War (Later renamed the First World War) and the Spanish Influenza as “proof” that the invisible parousia has begun. But there is a problem with that. Jesus said that these things were just the beginning pangs of distress.
The very next thing Jesus said should not be overlooked. The Lord said: “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another.”
In the other gospel accounts, Jesus was even more specific. He indicated that the chosen would be beaten in the synagogues, and brothers would betray brothers. Family members would even hand over their loved ones to be put to death.
Now take note of what Jesus said regarding all of these things: “Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors. Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” – Matthew 24:33-34
Have we seen “all of these things”? The Watchtower makes contradictory statements. Sometimes they say we have, and other times they say we have not. Whatever. In any case, since all of these things did not begin to occur even if the First World War was the beginning pangs of distress, how is it that the foundational teaching of the Watchtower Bible Society is that an invisible parousia began in 1914?
What did Jesus mean by the expression “he is near at the doors”? If you are expecting a guest and they are near your door, have they arrived? Well, yes and no. Presumably, the point of their coming to your door is that they may enter your house and be present with you. Now, consider the same analogy Jesus used in Revelation. Speaking to the Laodecian congregation on the Lord’s day, Jesus said: “Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and take the evening meal with him and he with me.” – Rev 3:20
Let us reason together. What does it mean if Jesus comes into his house and takes the evening meal with him? Has Jesus come into any anointed Christian’s “house”? No. As Jesus explained to his apostles in the 14th chapter of John, he was going away to prepare a place in his Father’s house where there are many dwellings. So, Christ coming into a Christian’s house really means he has come to receive them home, that they take up permanent residence in the Father’s house, even while on earth.
Surely all of those 144,000 will see Jesus in heaven and know for a certainty that they are in union with the Father and Son. Their seeing Jesus has to do with when he returns to take them home.
How do we know that this conjugal visitation initiated by the Lord knocking has not occurred yet? One, because we have not seen all the things Jesus foretold. In reality, we have not seen any of these things, but even if we have some of these things, we have not seen all of these things, which is a prerequisite for the knocking. Secondly, Jesus used a similar illustration in the 12th chapter of Luke, saying: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them.” (Vs 35-37)
Notice, just as in Revelation, Jesus illustrates his coming to knock on the door of those ready and waiting for the master to return. And if they open to him, the Lord will enter their dwelling. And do what? He will “come alongside” them and minister to them as they recline at the table. Hopefully, readers are astute enough to recognize what it means for Jesus to “come alongside” them.
Now, the question: What does the Watchtower teach regarding Jesus’ coming at an hour his disciples think unlikely? The Watchtower teaches that Jesus has not come as a thief in the night to call his slaves to account. And this is surely true. But since Jesus’ coming and knocking and his coming alongside the chosen has not occurred, how is it that the Watchtower claims that Jesus came alongside anointed Christians in 1914?
Lastly, Paul foretold that Jesus’ coming as a thief in the night would be signaled by a singular event. The inspired apostle foretold: “Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:3
Those birth pains must be the same as the “beginning pangs of distress” Christ foretold, signalling that the Lord’s day has begun. And when all these things have transpired, leading up to the tribulation, the Son of man will be revealed and the new covenant will be concluded—symbolized by Christ sharing the evening meal with those who open the door when they hear the knock, and Jesus shares the evening meal with them.
It is getting late. Surely, it is already the third watch of the night.
