The Finished Word

The arrival of Jesus will be an event of victory and finality. It will include the resurrection, judgment, and the New Creation . The return of Jesus at “ the conclusion of this evil age ” will be an event of complete finality. His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ (παρουσια) will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the arrival of the New Creation, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of the unrighteous, the destruction of “ the Man of Lawlessness ,” the gathering of Christ’s elect, and the end of death itself.

Foundational to the believer’s future hope is the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead when Jesus arrives in glory . Paul’s description of the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus in his first letter to the Thessalonians was written to comfort the congregation concerning the fate of fellow believers who die before Christ returns. They must not sorrow “ like the others ” since   the righteous dead will be resurrected when the Lord “ arrives ” from Heaven.

In explaining the resurrection, Paul lists key events that will precede or coincide with the arrival of Jesus at the close of the present age . Paul outlined the events that will occur at or shortly before the “ arrival ” of Jesus in  1 Corinthians . The Greek noun ‘ Parousia ’ or “ arrival ” is one of several terms Paul applies to the future coming of the Lord in his letters. Regardless of which term is used, the Apostle always refers to one “ coming ,” one “ appearance ,” one “ revelation ” and one “ appearance ” of the Son of God, not two or more.

The arrival of Jesus will mark the end of the present world order, accomplish the resurrection of the dead, and inaugurate the New Creation . Jesus will return at the end of the present age. His arrival will coincide with the completion of the Kingdom of God and the judgment of all men. The Son of God will vindicate his saints by raising them from the dead, and he will usher in the New Heavens and New Earth, “ in which righteousness dwells ” – (2 Peter 3:13).

Central to the hope of the Apostolic Faith is the bodily resurrection of the dead. This will occur when Jesus appears at the end of the age . The biblical faith is forward-looking. Foundational to the doctrine of salvation is the resurrection of the righteous dead. That event will also mark the arrival of the New Creation. The New Testament links the resurrection of the saints to two events. The past Resurrection of Jesus, and his arrival at the end of the age. Our salvation will remain incomplete until Christ raises us from the dead.

Paul reminded Timothy of the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death since false teachers were denying the future resurrection of believers . Paul responded to false teachings about the resurrection of believers in his second letter to Timothy. Certain voices denied this essential truth. “ God did not give us a spirit of fear but of a sound mind ,” and this included overcoming our anxieties about death. Jesus was victorious over death and now gives men and women life “ through the Gospel .”

The arrival of Jesus will be an event of great victory and finality that will result in the resurrection and the New Creation . The return of Jesus at the “ end of the age ” will be a singular event of utter finality. His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the installation of the New Creation, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of the godly and the ungodly, the “ gathering of Christ’s elect ,” and the end of Death. Decay and mortality will be replaced by immortality. Nothing will ever be the same again!

Paul presents his Gospel message starting with humanity's plight due to sin and concluding with the resurrection of the dead . In his Letter to the Romans , Paul presents his most detailed explanation of the Gospel. His purpose is to deal with conflicts between Gentile and Jewish members of the Church and to prepare the ground in Rome for his plan to take the Gospel to the western parts of the Empire. In doing so, the Apostle addresses key topics, including death, redemption, the Law, resurrection, and New Creation.

The arrival of Jesus at the end of the age will result in our resurrection and the end of the last enemy, Death - 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. Certain members of the Corinthian congregation denied the future resurrection of the dead. In response, the Apostle Paul explained that bodily resurrection is fundamental to Christian salvation, and he pointed to Christ’s past death and resurrection as the precedent for our own resurrection.