Daily Bread

John 14:3 - "And if I go away and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may also be."

The Greek word translated "come again" is 'parousia.' This word is used elsewhere in association with the return of Jesus and thus became a theological word used to describe His return. The parousia of Christ Jesus took place in part when the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, came. The Paraclete came to bring to us the abiding presence of Jesus and, in turn, we are seated with Jesus in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:3). However, the bigger meaning is the return of Jesus which will result in our being with Him in heaven. The church will then return with Him to fight against the armies of the antichrist and Satan and afterward we will rule for 1000 years with Christ Jesus upon the earth (Revelation 19:14; 20:6; Jude 1:14).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org