Parousia, Often Translated As Coming But Literally Meaning Abiding Presence

3952 parousia parousia par-oo-see'-ah

from the present participle of 3918; TDNT-5:858,791; n f

AV-coming 22, presence 2; 24

1) presence

2) coming, arrival, advent

Parousia is a compound word consisting of par and ousia. Par means along side. Ousia means goods or property. When referring to the parousia of Jesus, it is the coming along side His goods or property. The called, chosen, and faithful are His property. The called, chosen, and faithful are his goods. We are to carry His presence with us at all times, and this is not a static presence, but it goes from glory to ever increasing glory. Although the predominant theological interpretations contend that the second meaning of the word, parousia, should be used when the word is referring to Christ, the unfolding revelation shows that the first meaning, the abiding presence, is what God intends for us to understand.

Note the following quote by ~ George Warnock, The Feast of Tabernacles

THE COMING OF THE LORD

There has been a general misunderstanding of the Word of God throughout Christendom concerning the truth of the coming of the Lord; for it is clear as we consider all the Scriptures on the subject, that the Lord's coming is a spiritual visitation in the midst of His people, as well as a literal and bodily visitation. James therefore associates the bestowal of the latter rain with the "coming" of the Lord: "Be patient therefore, brethren, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he (it) receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (Jas. 5:7,8.) Notice in this passage how the truth concerning the latter rain is sandwiched between these two statements concerning the "coming of the Lord."

The word commonly translated "coming" in the New Testament is "parousia," which signifies "presence," or "a being alongside." It is therefore used of the coming of men in the flesh, as well as of the coming of Christ. That the word signifies "presence" more than the act of one's arrival, is evident from 2 Pet. 1:16.17. In this passage Peter describes the glorious visitation of God on the mount of transfiguration as the "coming," the "parousia," the "presence" of Christ. Now Christ had already come in the flesh; the four men had walked together up the mountain; but here was a "coming" of the Lord not previously known. And so he says, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Notice how the apostle associates the power and coming of Christ with the glory of God that appeared in the hour of Christ's transfiguration. In fact, the Lord Himself explains that this visitation of the Glory was in reality, the very Kingdom of God. In each of the three accounts where the scene is recorded the story is preceded with the remark: "But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Kingdom of God." (Lk. 9:27.) Matthew describes it as "the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (Matt. 16:28.) Mark refers to it as "the kingdom of God come with power." (Mk. 9:1.) and Peter combines the two statements in the words, "The power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

THE MOSES-ELIJAH COMPANY

The whole transfiguration scene is a beautiful picture of the power and coming of the Lord into the midst of His people in this glorious hour to create the Moses-Elijah ministry. Moses, and Elijah; because this is the day and hour when the old must give way to the new, when death is to be swallowed up of life, when Law must be fulfilled in Grace. And so Moses typifies the old order of Law and of death. Elijah speaks of the new order, of grace and of life. This is the hour known as the "ends of the ages" when the judgments that have been written concerning the Church and the world must be fulfilled on the one hand, and all the glory and power that is written concerning the Church must be fulfilled on the other hand. Hence the Moses-Elijah company: the fulness of God in the midst of His people, to do away with the old and to establish the new. Moses died; Elijah lived. Moses went down into the grave; Elijah went up into Heaven. Moses administered death and condemnation; Elijah in translation administered life and power--and the very mantle that he wore fluttered down upon his servant Elisha, even the mantle of power and life. This is the hour of God's vengeance upon the earth; but it is also the hour of God's Glory in the midst of His people.

[end of quote]

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence], and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even to the west; so shall also the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Son of man be.
1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence].
1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of Titus;
2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence [parousia 3952, abiding presence] is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Philippians 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] to you again.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence [parousia 3952, abiding presence] only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence]?
1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him,
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence]:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, to the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the Lord draweth nigh.
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence]? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting to the coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence] of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming [parousia 3952, abiding presence].