Evangelical and Fundamentalist Consent to “Presence”

The Emphasized Bible translated by Rotherham is published by Kregel, an evangelical publishing house. Rotherham relates his struggle with the word parousia in the third edition of his translation. Although contrary to his theology, he acknowledged that parousia means “presence” and so translated it in every occurrence.

He states on Page 271 in the Appendix:

“In this edition the word parousia is uniformly rendered ‘presence’ (‘coming,’ as a representative of this word, being set aside). The original term occurs twenty-four times in the N.T., viz.: Matt 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1 Cor 15:23; 16:17; 2 Cor 7:6, 7; 10:10; Phil 1:26; 2:12; 1 Thess 2:19; 3:3; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:1, 8, 9; James 5:7, 8; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:4, 12 and 1 John 2:28.

The sense of ‘presence’ is so plainly shown by the contrast with ‘absence’ (implied in 2 Cor. 10:10, and expressed in Phil. 2:12) that the question naturally arises,—Why not always so render it?

The more so, inasmuch as there is in 2 Peter 1:16 also, a peculiar fitness in our English word ‘presence.’ This passage, it will be remembered, relates to our Lord’s transformation upon the Mount. The wonderful manifestation there made was a display and sample of ‘presence’ rather than of ‘coming.’ The Lord was already there; and, being there, he was transformed (Compare Matt 17:2.) and the ‘majesty’ of his glorified person was then disclosed. His bodily ‘presence’ was one which implied and exerted ‘power’; so that ‘power and presence’ go excellently well together—the ‘power’ befitting such a ‘presence’; and the three favored disciples were at one and the same moment witnesses of both.”

Harry Rimmer (D.D., Sc.D.), who was styled “Fundamentalism’s outstanding spokesman” until his death, admitted that the word parousia meant personal presence. In his book, The Coming King, he observed that the Greek word parousia is used 13 times in describing the return of Christ and not once does it have the thought of “coming.”

Christianity Today (a well-known evangelical magazine) published a series of essays on “Fundamentals of the Faith.” the essay in booklet form on “The Second Advent of Christ” had this to say about parousia:

“…let us look at the Greek words used in the New Testament for the idea of the return. First of all, there is the word parousia, which means basically ‘presence.’”

No doctrine is more frequently mentioned in the New Testament that Christ’s Second Advent. Yet, few doctrines have been as greatly fragmented into such diversified concepts. Much of the beauty of this doctrine has been wrested from the grasp of God’s people. All secular Greek dictionaries define parousia, “presence.” Most Biblical dictionaries likewise define parousia, “presence.” Most current fundamentalist and evangelical writings on the Second Advent usually begin by correctly defining parousia, “presence.” Then a strange thing happens. Somehow the word “coming” replaces “presence.”

Incorrect theology (viz. the errors taught by the professing church) require that parousia be translated “coming,” so as to conform to its teachings, but Scriptural harmony requires that it be translated “presence.”

“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth”

Historically there is not a single Protestant concept of the Second Advent that has an unbroken lineage back to the time of the Reformation. Since that time, Bible-believing Christians have fluctuated among a number of conflicting concepts.

The purpose of this study, the previous two we presented (viz. “Stumbling in the Day of Visitation” and “Signs of Christ’ Presence”) as well as our final study on this issue is to set aside all theories of men and ascertain from the Scriptures, and the Scriptures alone, the glorious beauties of this momentous event. The faithful Christian is to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).

The Word of Truth was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. But now the average Christian is no longer dependent upon the translators or scholars to determine the meaning of a specific Hebrew or Greek word in a given text. In fact, many of the new “translations” are mere paraphrases of former translations, with little or no consideration given to the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Further, even the best translations have some flaws since they are the works of man.

The ready accessibility of Biblical concordances, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries and lexicons in libraries and bookstores and the internet is one of the blessings of our day. With the Bible in one hand and a concordance and lexicon in the other, the average Christian can easily verify the meaning of original words in the Hebrew Old Testament or Greek New Testament manuscripts. He can be a “workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

For many centuries, the church has been on a rough and stormy sea longing for the blessed haven of Christ’s return. Now, with the chart and compass of God’s word, the Christian can trace the various independent lines of prophecy (which we will attempt to do eventually) and see the blessed haven just before him. As there is the danger of shipwreck upon reefs just beneath the water’s surface along many shorelines, so the Christian must be his own mariner avoiding the ensnarement’s of unscriptural or even partially Scriptural theories on the Second Advent. As a “workman that needs not to be ashamed,” he will utilize, whenever necessary, (the tools provided by God) that make the Hebrew and Greek texts of Scripture readily accessible.

A Secret Presence before “Every Eye Shall See Him”

Having observed that the word parousia means presence AND NOT coming, Matt 24:3 properly reads:

“What shall be the sign of thy presence (that you are here) and of the end of the world?”

Luke 21:25 refers to “signs” in the plural.

The Scriptures show that the first stage of our Lord’s parousia, presence, will be secret. “The day of the Lord will arrive [will be here, Greek, heko—see Strong’s, Young’s or Vine’s] as a thief.” (2 Peter 3:10 Rotherham)

A thief enters a house quietly, doing a secret work. Consequently, the first works of our returned Lord are during a secret presence. The world (as well as the worldly church, the professing church) will, at first, be unaware that Christ has returned.

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake [implies, a period of overlapping] you as a thief.” (1 Thess 5:4) Later, his presence will be made manifest to all. The Scriptures use another Greek word, apokalupsis, to describe this revealment to all. “The Lord Jesus shall be REVEALED [apokalupsis] from heaven in flaming fire taking vengeance.” (2 Thess 1:7-8) It is in reference to this revealment to all, that Scriptures like Rev 1:7 apply; “He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” Believers, who are not overcharged with the cares of this life, will experience the joys of discerning the signs of his secret presence (Luke 21:34-36), before they are “caught up together” with him.” (Excerpts taken from the booklet, “I Will Come Again” edited)