There are so many different opinions and concepts as to how and when the parousia or second coming of Christ will take place; it leaves the seeker with more questions than answers. It is the most talked about subject among Christians today. For many this is a sacred cow and they oppose anyone trying to rock the boat of their doctrinal beliefs. Here is a shocker, do you know the term second coming is not found anywhere in the Bible. Whenever the scriptures speak of his coming, it is assumed by many to be a reference to what men have termed his second coming. The end result of this concept and thinking has robbed the people of God of their very life; because of this it has created a void in our understanding as to the location and reality of the Christ.

This is evident in their system of belief, every year the birth of Christ is celebrated at Christmas, at Easter his death is remembered, after which they rejoice in the celebration of his ascension where he is returned to what many calls heaven. From then on he disappears from sight and many wait in silent vigil until Christmas to bring him back again. This is a result of being taught there are only two comings, one at his birth and the other when he returns at the end of the age and there is nothing at present to excite us.

The discourse on Mt Olivet is the central focus of the doctrine of futurism. This is found in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. In Matthew 23 Jesus is asked three questions, when shall these things be, what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world (age)? Matthew 23:36, Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation. The generation spoken here is the generation alive at the time of hearing this prophecy. Matthew 24:1-34 was historically fulfilled, and the events spoken of by Jesus took place before the destruction of the temple in 70.A.D.

So many Christians hope and look forward to his second coming and the joy of going to heaven. In between the waiting and hoping in anticipation there is nothing to excite them. The abomination of desolation was the Roman army that surrounded Jerusalem to cause its desolation, when Titus sacrificed the pigs on their altar. Upon heeding Jesus warning, his disciples flee Jerusalem and Judea. The great tribulation that was predicted by Jesus fell upon the Jewish nation (A.D. 67-70) resulting in the destruction of their city and sanctuary. In Matthew 23:38 Jesus told them their house would be desolate. There are so many scriptures that speak of his coming, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, James 5:7-8, Matthew 24:27, 30 just to name a few, but most Christians read these verses and add the word second to them all as if it refers to one and the same. Peter did not ask, where is the parousia of his second coming (2 Peter 3:4). James did not say, Be patient to the second coming of the Lord (James 5:7). There is no excuse for such presumptuous additions which destroy truth.

To teach that Bethlehem is his first coming is without scriptural basis. Micah records for us concerning Christ and his goings forth (plural) which are of old from everlasting. Bethlehem is only one aspect in a series of Christ appearing. The Lord appeared to Abraham; also the Lord came to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:8), he appeared to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:15-16), in Jeremiah 31:3 Israel explains, the Lord hath appeared of old unto me. In view of the many references to his comings in the Old testament, why then do we call his coming at Bethlehem his first?

To hold every reference in the New Testament as pertaining to one and the same event is erroneous. The Greek word translated as coming in the New Testament is #3952 parousia and means a presence, a being near. Apokalupsis means revealing, appearing. These Greek words for coming and appearing are used interchangeably. Many of the following references in the New Testament show us the many ways of his comings and/or appearings. He comes with clouds (Mark 13:26), He comes as a thief (Revelation 16:15), as resurrection power (Philippians 3:20-21), as a Bridegroom (Matthew 5:6), 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 in the air, to his saints (John 14:18), in his saints (2 Thessalonians 1:10. The list could go on and on, showing the many manifestations of his comings.

The million dollar question is, which of these comings is the second coming? For many today the hope of every believer lies in the second coming, and so they are confuse of his coming as a thief, Bridegroom, King etc. The carnal cannot understand the plan of God or the things of the spirit, for it is spiritually discerned. A misunderstood verse of scripture is Revelation 1:17 which reads thus, Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him. The word behold comes from the Greek dou meaning observe carefully what is about to be said. The clouds here are not literal clouds in the sky but speak of clouds of glory.

The Greek word for cometh is Erchomai and means he comes as a present tense reality (he comes and he has been coming and he is still in the act of coming). This is not speaking of a future coming; it is a present reality which caused John to say he comes!!! Acts 1:11 is another verse that is very misunderstood, it reads thus, This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye see him go into heaven. This verse occurred before Pentecost, and was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost; this is the Parousia of John 14:18.

Revelation 1:17 say, behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him. He coming directly from our mind (heaven) to earth (our body) to be seen visibly. Every eye shall see him when he is revealed, Christ in us. This coming is a present reality. In John 14:2-3 Jesus stated clearly to the disciples that he would go away, and if he did, he would come again, and receive us to himself. On the day of Pentecost Jesus did return as he said, the indwelling Christ. He has come back as he promised. If this is not so, then we are without hope and most miserable. From this teaching we can see the second coming of Christ traditionally taught has already happened.

Lets look at Hebrews 9:28, Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. To truly understand this verse, we need to read from verse 24, which we find recorded two comings of Christ, and neither of them is called the first or the second coming. Paul here is simply contrasting the two appearing, so that one is first as to order and the second also as to order and the subject in discussion is the atonement. The first appearing which was in the presence of God for us as High priest, and verse 28 we have another appearing, which is in connection with our salvation, and takes place within, making us partakers of his divine nature and glory.

The second word appear is different in the Greek and is correctly translated in other places as was seen (1Corithians 15:5-8), it is the Greek word optanomahei meaning to appear or to show (ones) self. The bible says this is only for those who look for him. Most Christians are looking up in the sky for him and they will never see him, for he dwells within the most holy place of our hearts. He comes to us in various manifestations; the problem is we dont always recognize him who is our life.

In order for us to discover our true reality, Christ must be revealed to us personally, as he is unveiled within our spirit. This is done within us and is unseen by the world. If we continue to wait for him from heaven as Christendom teaches then this produces no life in our experience in the now. To those waiting to go to some ethereal place in the sky, have missed the greatest coming any man has ever seen. The rapture hinges on the second coming, if there is no second coming, then there is no rapture. The realm of spirit to which we are caught up is the Christ consciousness. The real issue is the change taking place in us, it is called a renewing. Every eye is beholding the Christ in us, who is appearing a second time in the order of Melchisedec without sin unto perfection.

I trust that this message blesses your heart as he appears a second time unto perfection in your most holy place.

Namaste,

Winston & Sarah