The Second "Parousia" Of Christ

Questions for article:

"The Second Coming of Christ – Re-examined"

First Century "Parousia" of Jesus – Could It Have Happened?

1. When told that Jesus will not return in our day, what objections would a Jehovah’s Witness make? ANSWER

2. Did the 1^st Century Christians equate the activities that are mentioned in the book of Revelation such as the thousand-reign of Christ and the abyssing of Satan as occurring at his ‘second’ coming or parousia? ANSWER

3. What event did Paul associate with Jesus’ parousia according to 1 Corinthians 15:23, 24? ANSWER

4. The word "parousia" is translated as presence in the NWT, but what can it also mean depending upon the context? What other Greek words also have this same meaning? ANSWER

5. What mistake did the Watchtower Society make in their translation of these three Greek words, parousia, erchomai and eltho and how did they translate each one? ANSWER

6. According to Watchtower Society doctrine, when does the "presence," the "coming" and the "arrival" all begin? ANSWER

7. Up until 1995, when would a Jehovah Witness say Jesus "arrived" to "separate the sheep from the goats?" ANSWER

8. How would they answer the question of when would the celebration of the memorial cease? ANSWER

9. What was the purpose of the changes made to this doctrine of when "Christ would arrive" in the October 15, 1995 Watchtower? ANSWER

10. Realizing that the Greek word "parousia" can mean both presence and coming, what would we take into account in order to determine which meaning is appropriate to use? ANSWER

11. Can it be proven scripturally that Jesus’ 1^st century disciples believed in an "invisible presence" as taught by the Watchtower Society? ANSWER

12. By what term did John refer to Jesus in Matthew 11:2, 3, indicating what? ANSWER

13. While Jesus was on earth during his first coming or visit, he often spoke of his return to gather his disciples and take them to heaven to be with him. How certain were these disciples that this ‘second coming’ would occur in their lifetime? ANSWER

14. Since 1^st Century Christians were convinced of the above fact, why is the time of Jesus’ return such a mystery to many today? ANSWER

15. Why is Luke 19:11-27 such a powerful example of Biblical proof that Jesus did return in the 1^st century? ANSWER

16. What condition came to exist among those unfaithful Christians who were abandoned by Jesus in the 1^st century? ANSWER

17. Based on the above evidence, what conclusions must we come to regarding what 1^st Century Christians believed about Jesus’ return or ‘second coming?’ ANSWER

18. What scriptures support Luke 19:11-27 in proving that Jesus did receive kingly power in the first century? ANSWER

19. When will Jesus’ rule end according to 1 Corinthians 15:24-28? ANSWER

20. There are fifteen scriptures (sited below) given that are proof that 1^st Century Christians expected Jesus’ return during their lifetime. Match the statement given to the correct scripture.

(1 Peter 1:7, 13; 2 Peter 3:3, 4; 1 John 2:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; Mark 8:38; John 8:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 5:5; John 11:25, 26; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 1:7, 8; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Peter 4:7)

a. Anyone who was ashamed of Jesus and his words before the Jews, Jesus would be ashamed of him before his Father when he arrived in his glory. __________________ ANSWER

b. The disciples must not allow life’s anxieties to cause them to fall asleep but must keep awake, always praying that they might escape all things including the return of Jesus. ___________________ ANSWER

c. Anyone observing Jesus’ words and lived to his see his return would never see death. ________________________ ANSWER

d. Anyone exercising faith in Jesus and was alive when he make his second parousia or coming would never die. __________________________ ANSWER

e. First Century Christians would be strengthened while they were "waiting" for the "revealing" of Jesus in their lifetime. _______________________ ANSWER

f. Since 1^st Century Christians were already living in the "Lord’s Day," it was imperative that they keep the congregation clean in order that Jehovah’s spirit would continue to flow during this period of time. _________________________ ANSWER

g. Paul reminded 1^st Century Christians that they would be his "hope, joy, and crown of exaltation" before Jesus at his ‘second coming.’ ______________________ ANSWER

h. Many 1st Century Christians would be alive when Christ returned, but their ascension to heaven would not occur ahead of those who had already died. ________________ ANSWER

i. Paul desired that God would keep Christians sound in spirit, mind and body, preserving them in a blameless manner until the ‘second coming’ or parousia of Christ. __________________ ANSWER

j. First century Christians would experience relief from suffering or tribulation when Jesus returned with his powerful angels to mete out the appropriate punishment. ___________________ ANSWER

k. Those who believed the testimony given by Paul and others will be among those who will "marvel" when Jesus comes to be glorified in his people. ____________________ ANSWER

l. The tested quality of 1^st century Christian’s faith would be found a cause for praise and honor at the revelation of Jesus. They were to "set their hope" upon the undeserved kindness they would receive at his coming. __________________________ ANSWER

m. The "end of all things" spoken of in this verse refers to the end of the Jewish system of things. _______________________ ANSWER

n. First century Christians were ridiculed because they believed and taught that Jesus would return in their lifetime. __________________________ ANSWER

o. First century Christians should remain in union with Jesus so that they would have freeness of speech at his return and would not be made ashamed at this time. ________________________ ANSWER

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