By Gordon Graham | Sept 8 2025

The Bible's reference to Jesus' “coming”, translated from the Greek word parousia (παρουσία) is not always about that great, final, end-of-time event, but rather can have to do with declaration of impending judgment.¹

After the Lord Jesus Christ had ascended, He indeed came quickly just as He foretold He would (Rev. 22:7).² He came spiritually in judgment against apostate Israel (Luke 21:22), including those who crucified Him (Rev. 1:7), via the Roman legions that utterly demolished harlot Jerusalem and its temple, terminating the old covenant ceremonial ordinances.

“St. John saw the fall of Jerusalem, and recognized in it the hand of God; it was not an accident, but a judgement of God; it was a visitation, a Coming of the Son of Man.” ³

Having made the once-for-all sacrifice of Himself, arisen from the grave and sat down at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He reigns in the midst of His enemies (Ps. 110:2) as Head of the church, God's people, living stones in the new covenant living temple: His body (John 2:21; Heb. 9:11; Rev. 21:3).

When all His enemies are under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25) He shall indeed come again -- His 2nd bodily coming (Heb. 9:28; Acts 1:11; 1Thess. 4:16), for the general resurrection of the dead and universal judgment of all mankind (Acts 17:31).

It is a rank twisting of the Scriptures to apply the Lord's 1st century forecast of His "soon" coming to a time two thousand years into the future. Jesus stated in no uncertain terms that the sign of His coming and of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3) would be before the then living generation passed away (Matt. 24:34).

In this gospel age, the present millennial reign of our ascended Lord will continue until He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:24-25). We rightfully expect that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14) before the end. Christians faithfully expect Jesus' bodily return in accordance with God’s timetable, which is unfolding as a long term process while the Holy Spirit gathers in the multitudes of His elect.

Even so, the end remains imminent in the sense that physical death still looms (Heb. 9:27). We all stand on the precipice of eternity, and after we die physically, it is too late to be saved. Therefore behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)!  See this.

Let us endeavor, in the time we have, to advance the gospel that it may flourish in ours and future generations towards that great, final, end-of-time 2nd coming consummation of all things when the last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1Cor. 15:26).

The Beloved Disciple and His Books

The human author of the gospel book under his name, as well as 3 epistles and the book of Revelation, was indeed the apostle John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved". Perhaps in anticipation of correcting the futurist distortion of the Lord's judgment coming in 70AD he was inspired to add this poignant passage to the God-breathed Scriptures:

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."

Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

- John 21:20-25

¹ DeMar, Gary, The Bible and Judgment Comings

² For a thorough, scholarly exposition in support of a pre-70AD date for the composition of the book of Revelation see Kenneth L. Gentry’s Before Jerusalem Fell.

³ Carrington, Philip, The Meaning of the Revelation, 308.

Also see: Last Days Prophecy Fulfilled

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Gordon Graham is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and Clerk of Session at Auburn Road Presbyterian Church in Venice, FL. Husband of one wife, father and brother of two each, and brother in Spirit of many, he also writes under the pen name of Gorphilus DeJesus.