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copied to this page relevant marginal note material in Harmony of the Gospel (Conservative Version) chapter Twenty-six - here rearranged and slightly edited - more to be added next edit
'''Parousia''' is the second coming of [[Christ]], as described repeatedly in the [[New Testament]].<ref>Matthew 24:3-14; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Peter 1:16.</ref>
'''Parousia''' is the second coming of [[Christ]], as described repeatedly in the [[New Testament]].<ref>Matthew 24:3-14; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Peter 1:16.</ref>
Author John Switzer includes an explanation of "''caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air''" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 as the Second Coming according to the Greek meaning of a Parousia, a joyful going out (''up'') to meet him as the escort accompanying him on his glorious descent to the earth on the Last Day "''and so shall we ever be with the Lord''".
:—"''In the Greco-Roman world, a parousia was a celebration of the arrival of someone of distinction. It could be a person of political or military status or a god represented by an idol and accompanied by priests. ''['''…''']'' At the appointed time, those being visited by the arriving dignity or deity would go out of the city gate as a sign of welcome and respect. The townsfolk would then process back into the city with the honored visitor, along with devotions or merriment. ''['''…'''] [W]''hen Paul spoke of being carried off to meet Christ in the clouds, it was not for the purpose of flying away to heaven but to welcome the Lord and return with him in glory. This moment represents the culmination of God’s plan, the great'' Eschaton, ''for which all Christians pray when they cry out, ‘Thy kingdom come.’''" <ref>[http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201407/do-catholics-believe-rapture-29196 '''Do Catholics Believe in the Rapture?''' by John Switzer - U.S.Catholic (usacatholic.org)]</ref>
Author Allison Low asserts the Catholic doctrine that the [[Rapture]] and the Second Coming are simultaneous, on the Last Day <ref>[https://www.catholicstand.com/advent-and-the-end-times-refuting-the-rapture-doctrine/ '''Advent and the End Times: Refuting the Rapture Doctrine''', By Allison Low (catholicstand.com)]</ref>. She cites 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 as a highly visible public return of Christ, and the fact that the Latin text of this passage has the word translated as "rapture".
:"''Another key element in this passage is that when the rapture event is described, there is nothing secret or silent about it! Paul's describes Jesus' second coming in a very visible manner, obvious to all.''"
This last statement corresponds to Revelation 1:7 "''Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.''"
Critics of the secret Rapture doctrine point to a multitude of passages in the New Testament as consistently teaching only one [[Parousia]], one Second Coming of the Lord, not two Second Comings:
:(1) a secret second coming and (2), a glorious second coming.
Paul speaks consistently of '''''The''''' Coming of the Lord, not of '''''A''''' Coming of the Lord occurring on one occasion as distinct from other kinds of Comings of the Lord (plural) to occur on other occasions. <ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1%3A7&version=KJV Revelation 1:7]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A3&version=KJV Matthew 24:3], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A27&version=KJV 27], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A30&version=KJV 30], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A37&version=KJV 37]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A20&version=KJV Mark 13:20], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A24-27&version=KJV 24-27], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A34-36&version=KJV 34-36]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A25-28&version=KJV Luke 21:25-28]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A25-29&version=KJV John 5:25-29]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+2%3A19&version=KJV 1 Thessalonians 2:19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+1%3A7-10&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+2%3A8&version=KJV 2:8]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A7-9&version=KJV James 5:7-9]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A28&version=KJV 1 John 2:28].</ref>
There are two mutually exclusive doctrines about a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:
:'''''either'''''—
*Pre-Tribulation Rapture is false and must be rejected as opposed to the Gospel of salvation.
:'''''or'''''—
*Pre-Tribulation Rapture is true and must be believed to be saved.
There are two mutually exclusive doctrines about what is required for salvation:
:'''''either to''''' (A)—
:*Be brought helpless to the laver of salvation, regenerated by Baptism (by water and the Spirit, or by blood, or by an unconscious inner hidden desire to do the whole will of God).
::—No one is excluded from Baptism unto salvation (no one is self-baptized).
::—(''if able'') Believe in the Resurrection of the dead.
::—(''if able'') As far as possible learn to do good works pleasing to the Father with faith in Christ.
::—(''if able'') Believe that God will reward every one according to their works. <br> "For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury." Romans 2:6-8
::—''Compare [[Apostles' Creed]], [[Nicene Creed]], [[Athanasian Creed]]''.
:'''''or to''''' (B)—
:*Personally decide to hear the Gospel, understand, acknowledge sin, repent, accept Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and publicly profess Him as personal Lord and Savior.
::–Good works are not required to be saved by faith alone.
::–All who do not believe because they have never heard or accepted the Gospel, newborns, babies, children in arms who cannot talk or walk, who die before they understand anything, the mentally incompetent, and the [[Ignorance|ignorant]], are not saved if they do not believe with faith.
::—''Compare [[Traditionalism]]''.
== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>
== See also ==
[[End Times]]
[[Tribulation]]
[[Category:Christian Terms]]
[[Category:Christian Terms]]
[[Category:Christian Theology]]
[[Category:Christian Theology]]