the Fifth Week after Easter
Click to donate today!
Bible Encyclopedias
Coming
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (παρουσία, being present) OF CHRIST, a phrase employed,
(1.) literally, in reference to our Lord's first appearance in the flesh (1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:7), or to his future appearance at the last day to fulfill his promises to raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness (Acts 1:11; Acts 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28).
(2.) Metaphorically, Christ is said to come when his Gospel is introduced or preached in any place by his ministers (John 15:22; Ephesians 2:17); when his church or kingdom is visibly or powerfully established in the world (Matthew 16:28); when he bestows upon believers the influence of his spirit, and the peculiar tokens of his love (John 14:18; John 14:23; John 14:28); when he executes his judgment on wicked communities who reject or corrupt his Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:8); and when his providence calls us away from the world by death, as preparatory to the judgment of the last day (Matthew 24:42). The basis of this metaphorical usage in regard to the coming of Christ is the same as in relation to the coming of God; that as he governs the world, every specific act of his providence and authority indicates his presence in a more striking manner to human conception, on the principle that no agent can act where he is not. See ESCHATOLOGY.
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Coming'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/c/coming.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
