- Table of Contents
- About the Author
- Preface to the Book
- The Last Words in Old Testament Prophecy
- PART I. - The Parousia in the Gospels
- Parousia in the Synoptical Gospels
- Prophetic Intimations of the approaching Consummation of the Kingdom of God:
- The Prophecy on the Mount examined:
- Our Lord's declaration before the High Priest
- Prediction of the Woes coming on Jerusalem
- Prayer of the Penitent Thief
- Apostolic Commission, the
- The Parousia in the Gospel of St.John.
- Appendix to Part I
- PART II. The Parousia in the Acts and the Epistles.
- In the Acts of the Apostles.
- In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians
- In the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
- In the First Epistle to the Corinthians
- In the Second Epistle to the Corinthians
- In the Epistle to the Galatians
- In the Epistle to the Romans
- In the Epistle to the Colossians
- In the First Epistle to Timothy
- In the Second Epistle of Timothy
- In the Epistle to Titus
- In the Epistle to the Hebrews
- In the Epistle of St. James
- In the First Epistle of St. Peter
- In the Second Epistle of St. Peter
- In the First Epistle of St. John
- In the Epistle of St. Jude
- Appendix to Part II
- Part III. The Parousia in the Apocalypse.
- Summary and Conclusion
- Appendix to Part III.
- Afterword by Russell
- All the Comparative Scripture Charts Combined
THE PAROUSIA
by James Stuart Russell
Comparative Scripture Charts as Relates to the Second Coming of Christ
Chart 1—The Parousia To Take Place Within The Lifetime Of Some Of The Disciples.
Chart 2—The Reward Of The Disciples In The Coming Æon, I.E. At The Parousia
Chart 3—Parable Of The Wicked Husbandmen.
Chart 4—The Woes Denounced On The Scribes And Pharisees.
Chart 5—The (Second) Lamentation Of Jesus Over Jerusalem.
Chart 6— The Interrogatory Of The Disciples
Chart 7— Our Lord's Answer To The Disciples— (a) Events Which More Remotely Were To Precede The Consummation.
Chart 8— (b) Further Indications Of The Approaching Doom Of Jerusalem
Chart 9 —(c) The Disciples Warned Against False Prophets.
Chart 10— (d) The Arrival Of The 'End,' Or The Catastrophe Of Jerusalem.
Chart 11— (e) The Parousia To Take Place Before The Passing Away Of The Existing Generation.
Chart 12— (f) Suddenness Of The Parousia, And Calls To Watchfulness.
Chart 13— (g) The Disciples Warned Of The Suddenness Of The Parousia.
Chart 14— Parable Of The Goodman Of The House.
Chart 15— The Description Of The ‘Coming Of The Son Of Man In His Glory’
Chart 16— Our Lord ' S Declaration Before The High Priest.
Chart 17— The Apostolic Commission.
Chart 18— 1. The , Predicted By Our Lord.
Chart 19— 2. The , Predicted By St. Paul.
Chart 20— 3. The , Predicted By St. Peter.
Chart 21— 4. The , Predicted By St. Jude.
Chart 22— 5. The , Predicted By St. John.
Chart 23— Opening Of The Sixth Seal And The Olivet Discourse
Chart 24—The Numerical Value Of Nero Caesar In Hebrew
Chart 25— The Correspondence Between The Seven Trumpets And The Seven Vials
Chart 26— The Contrasts Between The New Jerusalem and The Old Jerusalem
Chart 27— Identity Of The Beast With The Man Of Sin In 2 Thessalonians 2.
Chart 28— Eschatological Table, Or Conspectus Of Passages Relating To The Last Times.
Chart 29— Equivalent Phrases Referring To The Same Period.
THE PAROUSIA TO TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE LIFETIME OF SOME OF THE DISCIPLES.
Matt. 16:27, 28
Mark 8:38, 9:1
Luke 9:26, 27
'For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 'Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.'
'Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
'For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 'But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.'
THE REWARD OF THE DISCIPLES IN THE COMING ÆON, i.e. AT THE PAROUSIA
Matt. 19:27-30
Mark 10:18-31
Luke 17:28-30
'Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall site in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.'
'Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 'And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, of father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.'
'Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 'And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.'To what period are we to assign the event or state here called by our Lord the 'regeneration'? It is evidently contemporaneous with 'the Son of man sitting on the throne of his glory;' nor can there be any question that the two phrases, 'The Son of man coming in his kingdom,' and, 'The Son of man sitting on the throne of his glory,' both refer to the same thing, and to the same time. That is to say, it is to the Parousia that both these expressions point.
Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen.
Matt. 21:33-46
Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-19
There was a certain house- holder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandman, and went into a far country:
'A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandman, and went into a far country for a long time.
and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandman took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
'And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
'And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard : but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
'And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another, and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
'And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.'And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance, And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
'Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandman said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.' And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 'But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They said unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men and will let Out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders, rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
'And have ye not read this Scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
'And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 'Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.'
'And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he bad spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.'
'And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people; for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.'
The Woes denounced on the Scribes and Pharisees.
Matt. 23:29-36
Luke 11:47-51
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
'Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, h ow can ye escape the damnation of hell?
'Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers : for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
'That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple:
Verily, I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.'
verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.'
The (second) Lamentation of Jesus over Jerusalem.
Matthew 23, 37-39
Luke 13:34, 35
'0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'
0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not I Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'
The Interrogatory of the Disciples
Matt. 24:1-3
Mark 13:1-4
Luke 21:5-7
'And Jesus went and departed from the temple: with his disciples came to join for to shew him all the buildings of the temple. 'And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things?
verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. 'And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell
us, when shall these thins be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world' [age] ?
'And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 'And Jesus answering said unto them, Seest thou
these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 'And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and
Andrew asked him privately, 'Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
'And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said, 'As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be
left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.' 'And they asked Him, saying, , Master, but when shall these things be, ? and what sign will there be when these things shall
come to pass?'
Our Lord's Answer to the Disciples.
(a) Events which more remotely were to precede the consummation.
Matt. 24:4-14
Mark 13:5- 13
Luke 21:8-19
'And Jesus answered and said unto the, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and
rumours of wars : see that ye be not troubled : for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom : and there shall be
famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you : and ye shall be hated of all
nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray on another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity
shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations ; and then shall the end come.'
'And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you : for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of
wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be
earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the
synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall
lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak,
but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear
of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands
on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it
therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be
betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an
hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.
(b) Further indications of the approaching doom of Jerusalem
Matt. 24:15-22
Mark 13:14-20
Luke 21:20-20
'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in
Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 'And woe unto
them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not
since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be
shortened. '
'But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea
flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again
for to take up his garment. 'But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction,
such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's
sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.'
'And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 'Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are
in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 'But woe unto them
that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be
led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.'
(c) The disciples warned against false prophets.
Matt. 24:23-28.
Mark 13:21-23.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: 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. For wheresoever the carcase is,
there will the eagles be gathered together.
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to
seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
(d) The arrival of the 'end,' or the catastrophe of Jerusalem.
Matt. 24:29-31
Mark 13:24-27
Luke 21:25-28
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens
shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven
shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds,
from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing
them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
(e) The Parousia to take place before the passing away of the existing generation.
Matt. 24:32-31
Mark 13:28-30
Luke 21:29-32
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know
that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to
pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye,
when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Matt. 24:35, 36
Mark 13:31, 32
Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the
Father.
(f) Suddenness of the Parousia, and calls to watchfulness.
Matt. 24:37-42
Luke 17:26-37
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the
one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the
same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be
upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save
his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two
women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where,
Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
(g) The disciples warned of the suddenness of the Parousia.
Matt. 24:42
Mark 13:33-5
Luke 21:34-6
'Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. '
' Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 'Watch ye therefore : for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the
cockcrowing, or in the morning : lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.'
'And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a
snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [land]. 'Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to
pass, and to stand before the Son of man. '
Parable of the Goodman of the House.
Matt. 24:43-51
Mark 13:34-37
Luke 12:39-46
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due
season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 'But and if that evil servant shall say in
his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him,
and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
'For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 'Watch ye
therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I
say unto all, Watch.
'And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore
ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful
and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a
truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 'But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens,
and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him
his portion with the unbelievers.
The description of the ‘coming of the Son of man in his glory’
Matt. 16:27, 28.
Matt. 25:31-33.
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 'Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations,' etc.
Our Lord ' s declaration before the High Priest.
Matt. 26:61
Luke 22:69
Mark 14:62
'Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.'
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.'
'Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.'
The Apostolic Commission.
Matt. 28:19, 20.
Mark 16:15, 20.
Luke 24:47.
'Go ye therefore, and teach all [the] nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.'
'And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
'And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.'
'And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all [the] nations, beginning at Jerusalem.'
1. The Apostasy, predicted by our Lord.
False Prophets.
Matt. 7:15.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.’
Ditto.
Matt. 7:22.
‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name,’ etc.
False Christs.
Matt. 24:5
Many will come in my name, and shall deceive many.’
False Prophets.
Matt. 24:11.
‘And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.’
False Christs and false Prophets
Matt. 24:24.
‘For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders.’
General defection.
Matt. 24:10.
‘And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.’
Matt. 24:12.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’
2. The Apostasy, predicted by St. Paul.
False teachers
Acts 20:29, 30.
‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.’
The Apostasy.
2 Thess. 2:3
‘That day shall not come, except there come first the .’
False Apostles.
2 Cor. 11:13, 14.
‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’
False Teachers.
Gal. 1:7.
‘But there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.’
False Brethren.
Gal. 2:4.
‘False brethren unawares brought in.’
Deceivers and Schismatics.
Rom. 16:17, 18.
‘Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.’
False Teachers.
Col. 2:8.
‘Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,’ etc.
Ditto.
Col. 2:18.
‘Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels.’
Judaising Teachers.
Phil. 3:2.
‘Beware of dogs; beware of evil workers; beware of the concision.’
Enemies of the Cross.
Phil. 3:18.
‘For many walk, of whom I have told you often . . . that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.’
Sensualists.
Phil. 3:19.
‘Whose end is destruction: whose god is their belly.’
False Teachers.
1 Tim. 1:3, 4.
‘That thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine; neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies.’
Judaisers.
1 Tim. 1:6, 7.
‘Some having swerved, have turned aside into vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law,’ etc.
Apostates.
1 Tim. 1:19.
‘Some have put away (faith and a good conscience) concerning faith have made shipwreck.’
Ditto. Liars and Hypocrites.
1 Tim. 4:1, 2.
‘Now the spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy: having their conscience seared with a hot iron.’
False Teachers.
1 Tim. 4:3.
‘Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,’ etc.
Ditto.
1 Tim 4:20, 21.
‘Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith.’
Ditto.
2 Tim. 2:16-18.
‘But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.’
Immorality of the .
2 Tim. 3:1-6, 8.
‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: . . . they creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,’ etc. ‘Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.’
False Teachers.
2 Tim. 3:13.
‘Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.’
Ditto.
2 Tim. 4:3, 4.
‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’
Judaising Teachers.
Titus 1:10.
‘For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision.’
Ditto.
Titus 1:14.
‘Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.’
Immoral.
Titus 1:16.
‘They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.’
3. The Apostasy, predicted by St. Peter.
False Teachers.
2 Peter 2:1.
‘But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.’
Immorality of the .
2 Peter 2:10, 13, 14.
‘They walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you: having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin,’ etc.
Scoffers.
2 Peter 3:3.
‘Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.’
4. The Apostasy, predicted by St. Jude.
False Teachers.
Jude
Passim. See 2 Peter 2.
5. The Apostasy, predicted by St. John.
Antichrist, Apostates.
1 John 2:18, 19.
‘Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us,’ etc.
Antichrist.
1 John 2:22.
‘Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.’
False Teachers.
1 John 2:26.
‘These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.’
False Prophets.
1 John 4:1.
‘Many false prophets are gone out into the world.’
Antichrist.
1 John 4:3.
‘Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.’
Deceivers and Antichrists.
‘For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.’
OPENING OF THE SIXTH SEAL AND THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
It will be proper, first, to note the correspondence between the symbols in the vision and those in our Lord’s prophetic discourse:—
THE SIXTH SEAL.
THE PROPHECY ON OLIVET.
'And lo, there was a great earthquake.'
'And there shall be earthquakes in divers places.' (Luke 21:11 Matt. 24:7)
'And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair.'
'Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened.'
'And the moon became as blood.'
'And the moon shall not give her light.'
'And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth.'
'And the stars shall fall from heaven.'
'And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together.'
'And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.'(Matt. 24:29)
'And the kings, etc., hid themselves, ... and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us,' etc.
'Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us: and to the hills, Cover us.'(Luke 23:30)
The numerical value of Nero Caesar in Hebrew
The Correspondence Between The Seven Trumpets And The Seven Vials
THE TRUMPETS
THE VIALS
1. Plagues poured upon the land.
1. Plagues poured upon the land.
2. Affects the sea, which becomes as blood.
2. Affects the sea, which becomes as blood.
3. Affects the rivers and fountains of waters.
3. Affects the rivers and fountains of waters.
4. Affects the sun, moon, and stars.
4. Affects the sun.
5. Poured on the seat of the beast (the abyss). Men tormented.
5. The abyss (the seat of the beast) opened. Men tormented.
6. Poured on the great river Euphrates. Hosts muster for the battle of the great day.
6. The angels at the great river Euphrates loosed. Muster of hordes of cavalry.
7. Catastrophe; proclamation of the end. Terrible natural phenomena—voices, thunderings, and an earthquake.
7. Catastrophe; judgment; the kingdom proclaimed. Terrible natural phenomena—voices, thunderings, and an earthquake.
The Contrasts Between The New Jerusalem and The Old Jerusalem
These parallels or contrasts have only to be presented to the eye to speak for themselves:—
The new Jerusalem
The old Jerusalem
The heavenly Jerusalem
The earthly Jerusalem
The city which hath the foundations
The non-continuing city
The city whose builder is God
The city whose builder is man
The Jerusalem which is to come
The Jerusalem which now is
The Jerusalem which is above
The Jerusalem which is beneath
The Jerusalem which is free
The Jerusalem which is in bondage
The holy city
The wicked city
The bride
The harlot
The real and proper antithesis, therefore, to the new Jerusalem is the old Jerusalem: and since the city contrasted with the new Jerusalem is also designated Babylon, we conclude that Babylon is the symbolic name of the wicked and doomed city, the old Jerusalem, whose judgment is here predicted.
Can any proof be more conclusive that it is Jerusalem, the murderess of the prophets, which is here described—that Jerusalem is the Babylon of the Apocalypse?7 How exact is the correspondence between our Lord’s prediction in Luke 11:49-51 and its fulfilment in Rev. 18:24: —
Luke 11:49-51
‘Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute; that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation.’
‘Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute; that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation.’
Rev. 18:24
‘And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that were slain in the land.’
‘And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that were slain in the land.’
Identity Of The Beast With The Man Of Sin In 2 Thessalonians 2
There is a correspondence so minute and so manifold between ‘the man of sin’ of St. Paul and ‘the beast’ of St. John as to render it all but certain that they both refer to the same individual. We have already, on independent grounds and treating each subject separately, arrived at the conclusion that the Emperor Nero is intended by both apostles, and when we come to the place the two portraitures side by side this conclusion is decisively established. It is only necessary to glance at the parallel descriptions in order to be convinced that they depict the same individual, and that individual the monster Nero:
THE MAN OF SIN—2 THESS. 2
THE WILD BEAST—REV. 13:17
The man of sin' (Thess. 2:3).
'Upon his heads names of blasphemy' (Rev. 13:1). 'Full of names of blasphemy' (Rev. 17:3).
'The son of perdition' (Thess. 2:3).
'He shall go into perdition' (Rev. 17:8). 'He goeth into perdition' (Rev. 17:11).
'The lawless one' (Thess. 2:8).
'Power was given unto him to do what he will' (Rev. 13:5).
'Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped' (Thess. 2:4).
'There was given to him a mouth speaking great things, . . . and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God (Rev. 13:5, 6)
'So that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God' (Thess. 2:4).
'And they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? . . . And all that dwell in the land shall worship him' (Rev. 13:4, 8).
'Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming' (Thess. 2:8).
These shall make ware with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them' (Rev. 17:14). 'And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet . . . These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone' (Rev. 14:20).
'Whose coming is after the working of Satan' (Thess. 2:9).
'And the dragon gave him his power' (Rev. 13:2).
'With all power and signs and lying wonders' (Thess. 2:9).
'And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven in the sight of men' (Rev. 13:13).
'And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish' (Thess. 2:10). 'And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie' (Thess. 2:11).
'And deceiveth them that dwell in the land by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast' (Rev. 13:14).
'That they all might be condemned who believe not the truth' (Thess. 2:12).
'If any man worship the beast and his image, . . . the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God' etc. (Rev. 14:9, 10).
ESCHATOLOGICAL TABLE, OR CONSPECTUS OF
PASSAGES RELATING TO THE LAST TIMES.
The End of the Age
[ h sunteleia tou aiwnov ]
Matt. 13:39—‘The harvest is the end of the age.’
Matt. 13:40—‘So shall it be in the end of this age.’
Matt. 13:49—‘So shall it be at the end of the age.’
Matt. 24:3—‘What shall be the sign of thy coming [parousia] and of the end of the age?’
Matt. 28:20—‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.’
Heb. 9:26—‘But now once in the end of the ages [twn aiwnwn]’
The End
[to telov ta telh ]
Matt. 10:22—‘He that endureth to the end shall be saved.’
Matt. 24:6—‘But the end is not yet’. (Mark 13:9 Luke 21:9)
Matt. 24:13—‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved’. (Mark 13:13)
Matt. 24:14—‘Then shall the end come.’
1 Cor. 1:8—‘Who shall also confirm you unto the end.’
1 Cor. 10:11—‘Upon whom the ends of the ages are come.’
1 Cor. 15:24—‘Then cometh the end.’
Heb. 3:6—‘Firm unto the end.’
Heb. 3:14—‘Stedfast unto the end.’
Heb. 6:11—‘Diligence unto the end.’
1 Pet. 4:7—‘The end of all things is at hand.’
Rev. 2:26—‘He that keepeth my works unto the end.’
The Last Times, Days, etc.
1 Tim. 4:1—‘In the latter times some shall apostatise’ [en usteroiv kairoiv].
2 Tim. 3:1—‘In the last days perilous times shall come’ [en escataiv hmeraiv].’
Heb. 1:2—‘In these last days [God] hath spoken to us’ [ep escatou twn hmerwn toutwn].
James 5:3—‘Ye have heaped up treasure in the last days’ [ en escataiv hmeraiv].
1 Pet. 1:5—‘Salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time’ [en kairq escatq].
1 Pet. 1:20—‘Who was manifest in these last times for you’ [ep escatou twn cronwn].
2 Pet. 3:3—‘There shall come in the last days scoffers’ [ep escatou twn hmerwn].
1 John 2:18—‘It is the last time’ [hour] [escath wra].
Jude 1:18—‘That there should be mockers in the last time’ [en escatq cronq].
EQUIVALENT PHRASES REFERRING TO THE SAME PERIOD.
The Day.
Matt. 25:13—‘Ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh.’
Luke 17:30—‘The day when the Son of man is revealed.’
Rom. 2:16—‘In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men.’
1 Cor. 3:13—‘The day shall declare it.’
Heb. 10:25—‘Ye see the day approaching.’
That Day.
Matt. 7:22—‘Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord.’
Matt. 24:36—‘But of that day and that hour knoweth no man.’
Luke 10:12—‘It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom.’
Luke 21:34—‘And so that day come upon you unawares.’
1 Thess. 5:4—‘That that day should overtake you as a thief.’
2 Thess. 2:3—‘That day shall not come except there come the .’
2 Tim. 1:12—‘Which I have committed unto him against that day.’
2 Tim. 1:18—‘That he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.’
2 Tim. 4:8—‘A crown... which the Lord... shall give me at that day.’
The Day of the Lord.
1 Cor. 1:8—‘That ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
1 Cor. 5:5—‘That the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’
2 Cor. 1:14—‘Ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.’
Phil. 2:16—‘That I may rejoice in the day of Christ.’
1 Thess. 5:2—‘The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’
The Day of God.
2 Pet. 3:12—‘Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.’
The Great Day.
Acts 2:20—‘That great and notable day of the Lord.’
Jude 1:6—‘The judgment of the great day.’
Rev. 6:17—‘The great day of his wrath is come.’
Rev. 16:14—‘The battle of the great day.’
The Day of Wrath.
Rom. 2:5—‘Treasurest up wrath against the day of wrath.’
Rev. 6:17—‘The great day of his wrath is come.’
The Day of Judgment.
Matt. 10:15—‘It shall be more tolerable in the day of judgment’. (Mark 6:11)
Matt. 11:22—‘It shall be more tolerable... in the day of judgment.’
Matt. 11:24—‘It shall be more tolerable... in the day of judgment.’
Matt. 12:36—‘They shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.’
2 Pet. 2:9—‘To reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment.’
2 Pet. 3:7—‘The day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.’
1 John 4:17—‘That we may have boldness in the day of judgment.’
The Day of Redemption.
Eph. 4:30—‘Sealed unto the day of redemption.’
The Last Day.
John 6:39—‘That I should raise it up at the last day.’
John 6:40—‘I will raise him up at the last day.’
John 6:44—‘And I will raise him up at the last day.’
John 6:54—‘And I will raise him up at the last day.’
John 11:24—‘He shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’
From the comparison of these passages it will appear, —
- That they all refer to one and the same period—a certain definite and specific time.
- That they all either assume or affirm that the period in question is not far distant.
- The limit beyond which it is not permissible to go in determining the period called ‘the last times’ is indicated in the New Testament scriptures, viz. the lifetime of the generation which rejected Christ.
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Comments (1)
This site privides a wonderful collection of scriprure pertaining to the subject of the first century Parousia. All those who hold to the importance of what our Lord prophesied (in keeping with Daniel's earlier prophesy), and then confirmed by many witnesses, must give careful consideration to the implications found within the extracts so carefully laid out here. Then, considering the weight of the witnesses from generations past, the conclusion we must reach, for it would be difficult to contradict, is that Jesus' prophesy was fulfilled in AD70.