Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Parousia (the coming of Christ)

The New Testament's word for the future return of Jesus in glory — 'presence' or 'arrival', with the overtones of a royal state visit.

Greek parousia, 'presence, arrival'; used in the Hellenistic world for the ceremonial visit of a king or emperor to a city.

Matthew 24:3, 27, 37; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8; James 5:7–8; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:4, 12; 1 John 2:28.

The NT pairs it with epiphaneia ('appearing') and apokalypsis ('revealing') — all stressing that the coming is visible and public. Confessed in every creed ('he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead').

The parousia brings the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the destruction of death and evil, and the renewal of creation — the NT's default picture is one unified climax.

Whether there is a distinct 'rapture' before the visible coming (dispensationalism) or one event (the historic majority); how much of the Olivet Discourse refers to AD 70 vs. the parousia.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.