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.

The arrival of Jesus will result in vindication and rest for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked  - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. The “ revelation ” of Jesus from heaven will result in the reward of the faithful, but the punishment of those who have rejected the Gospel, including men and women who have abandoned the true faith. Christ's return will result in “ just judgment ” for the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus will arrive at the end of the present age, rewarding his saints but judging and condemning his enemies . Jesus will arrive at the end of the age “ on the clouds of heaven ,” as promised in the Scriptures. The Day of the Lord will mean the completion of the Kingdom of God, the end of death, the new creation, and the judgment of all men.

When Jesus is revealed from Heaven, the saints will experience glory, but the wicked will receive everlasting destruction . In his introduction to  First Corinthians , the Apostle Paul describes the members of the congregation as those who are “ eagerly waiting for the Revelation of our Lord Jesus .” The Apostle connects this event to the “ Day of the Lord .”

John baptized men and women in water, but the Messiah of Israel will baptize in the Holy Spirit and Fire - Matthew 3:11-12. The Gospel of Mark begins by applying key prophecies to the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the forerunner who prepares the hearts and minds of Israel for the Messiah, and John does so by calling the Jewish nation to repent and baptizing the people “ for the remission of sins ” - (Isaiah 40:3-5, Mark 1:1-3).

“Wrath” consistently refers to the final judicial sentence of God on His enemies in the Book of Revelation . The “ wrath of God ” is not synonymous with the plagues unleashed by the series of Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Fury. Despite the devastation they inflict, impenitent men refuse to repent. The Greek term translated as “ wrath ” refers to the judicial sentence of God on His enemies on the day of judgment, the everlasting punishment men earn because of their sins, failure to repent, and allegiance to the Beast.