THE PAROUSIA OF CHRIST

1. The parousia is visible
   
   1. Matt. 24:3--the sign of your coming [parousia]
      
   2. Matt. 24:30-31--the sign of the Son of man in heaven
      
   3. The sign of the parousia is the Son of man in heaven.
      
   4. Rev. 1:7--every eye will see Him
      
   5. Matt. 24:27--as the lightning from the east to the west
2. The tribulation precedes the parousia
   1. Matt. 24:15--the abomination of desolation
   2. Matt. 24:21--then there will be great tribulation
   3. Luke 21:20--desolation of Jerusalem surrounded by armies
   4. Matt. 24:29-30--after the tribulation signs in heavens
   5. Isaiah 13:1, 10, 17--destruction of Babylon by the Medes
3. The resurrection and rapture occur at the parousia
   1. I Cor. 15:22-24, 51-52--those who belong to Christ raised
   2. I Thess. 4:13-18--caught up and meet the Lord in the air
   3. The word for meet implies escort, not a return
   4. Matt. 25:6--virgins come out to meet bridegroom
   5. Acts 28:15--Roman Chrisians came to meet Paul & company
4. The lawless one precedes the parousia and assembling
   1. II Thess. 2:1-4--man of lawlessness (sin) come first
   2. II Thess. 2:8-9--lawless one destroyed by his parousia
5. The heavens and earth will be destroyed at the parousia
   1. II Peter 3:10-13--fire at parousia of day of God

Uses of Parousia

1. Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39;
2. I Cor. 15:23; 16:17*;
3. II Cor. 7:6*, 7*; 10:10*;
4. Phil. 1:26*; 2:12*;
5. I Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23;
6. II Thess. 2:1, 8, 9;
7. James 5:7, 8;
8. II Peter 1:16; 3:4, 12;
9. I John 2:28

Two Timelines of the Second Coming