Jehovah's Witnesses

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Matthew 24:3

" . . . what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

Problem:

J.W.'s argue that the Greek word "parousia" means "presence", hence the return of Christ will only be noticed by those who see him with the eyes of discernment. This is said to have taken place in 1914. Literally, it is argued, Jesus will never set foot on the earth.

Solution:

1. "Parousia" according to Greek authorities can mean presence, ¹ but this does not necessarily imply an invisible presence. For example, the coming of Titus (2 Cor. 7:6,7); the coming of Stephanas (I Cor. 16:17); and the coming of Paul (Phil. 1:26) requires the personal presence of these persons. Similarly, the "bodily presence" (Greek: parousia) of Paul in 2 Cor. 10:10 is obviously what the record implies - a literal visible presence.
   
2. Jesus warned against false prophets who would teach an "invisible return". Jesus said: "Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in . . . the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:26,27). This verse is directly opposed to a view which states Christ returned to rule invisibly in 1914 (i.e., he's in the secret chambers). Nor does one ordinarily associate lightning, which can be seen across the sky, with an event which is unseen.
   
3. Jesus will return literally and visibly to the earth. This is proven by the following evidence:

   1. "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst . . . " ² (Zech. 14:4). This passage in itself is conclusive. Christ will be the name-bearer of Yahweh (vs. 3, LORD=Heb. Yahweh) as was the angel of the LORD. (Exod. 23:20,21 ). Christ will literally return to the mountain from which he left. (Acts 1:10,11). This event will fulfill the promise of the two men which said, "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." ³ (Acts 1:11). He ascended literally and visibly until a cloud received him out of sight from the disciples. This is the "like manner" in which he will return.
      
   2. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of David will look upon "me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zech. 12:10; cf. 13:6). How is this to take place unless Christ returns personally to the earth? (cf. Rev. 1:7 - "and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.")
      
4. "Parousia" is not the only Greek word used to describe the return of Christ. Consider the following:

   1. Phaneroo⁴ - "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear", (1 Pet. 5:4). This word not only means appearing but also carries the further idea that the person appearing will be seen in his true character. It is the same word used for the appearance of believers before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), and for the first coming of Christ. (Heb. 9:26).
      
   2. Prosopon⁵ - "From the presence of the Lord", (2 Thess. 1:9). This word indicates the actual presence of the one coming and that all are congregated before his face. The same word is used to describe Christ's appearance in heaven before his Father. (Heb. 9:24).
      
   3. Heko⁶ - "Hold fast till I come", (Rev. 2:25). This word means not only coming, but stresses arrival as well. The same word is used for the arrival of Jesus in Galilee from Judea (Jn. 4:47), and for the arrival of the prodigal son back home. (Lk. 15:27).

   It can be seen, therefore, that the return of Christ must be a personal visible return.