Introduction
In 2020, N. T. Wright gave a lecture On the Future of the World. Listening to it recently, I remembered a novel I had written about monastic community evangelism during the coming Millennium. I opened with believers, alive and dead, rising into the air to greet King Jesus as He returned to Jerusalem to take up His throne over all the Earth. I decided to share here my prologue about the Parousia.
Prologue: Parousia
One after another, in large ecclesia assemblies and in videos from around the world, leading prophets spoke variations on the same message. “Prepare yourselves. Put away anything that hints at rebellion against the King. Wash your best clothing, anoint your heads with oil, circumcise your hearts. Secure anything that requires your attention.
“The King is coming! All Earth is about to hear the trumpet blast that heralds His approach. Prepare your hearts and minds to rise up into the air, to go out and meet Him.
“It could be any day, any moment. Make yourselves ready.”
Some religious leaders objected. “This does not follow the schedule of the Rapture. Jesus cannot be coming back yet.”
For six days, these announcements followed one after another. On the seventh day, as the sun rose to light up the empty top of Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, the air all around the world began to vibrate with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. Those expectant believers who were already awake looked up to the sky or their ceilings and raised their hands to cheer. Those who had been sleeping awoke and leapt out their beds to raise their own cheers.
The faithful hurriedly dressed themselves and any children with them. Then they rushed outside. Where the sun shone, the shadows of people already made clouds against the sun’s brilliance as they rose skyward. Testimonies days later spoke of deceased relatives who came back to their families to join them in rising into the air. Little children, teens, and preteens lost in life ran into the arms of their parents and floated to the streams of bodies rising and curving toward the Holy City.
Cameras in preset locations recorded the streaming in of the multitudes who formed up on two sides of a wide space that extended out of sight to the East. All had their arms raised and mouths cheering and shouting welcome in many languages. Everyone’s attention was riveted to the eastern end of the open space where a bright light grew and grew.
The brilliantly glowing figure of a Man in a white, blood- stained robe rode a white stallion bridled with gold and silver reins and saddle. The lenses and electronic sensors of cameras dark- adapted to prevent burnout as the stallion stepped down on the top of Zion and the robed Man dismounted.
At once, all the airborne people landed and knelt or prostrated themselves before the Man who nodded to acknowledge their obeisance. He looked around and began to point to robed men and women among the worshiping crowd.
“Come to Me, Moses, David, Isaiah, Deborah. Attend Me, Peter, Paul, Mary of Magdala.” He beckoned to people dressed in colonial- era finery. “Suzanne, Charles, John, John, and John. Come Billy and Billy.” He named individuals from all around the globe and from all the eras of Humanity, men and women who had worked diligently to spread His Kingdom throughout the Earth.
A group of richly dressed men and women approached from behind and got the Man’s attention. The prelate in front said, “Most holy Son of God, we welcome Your return and entreat You to follow us to the place sequestered for Your throne.”
The Man held up His hand. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
The group gaped at the question. As the leaders of worldwide religious organizations, they had expected to be honored by His allowing them to lead Him to the temple built for all believers.
The Man looked around. “Where is Abu Isa al Masih, the janitor? He is to show Me where My throne is already placed.”
“Who? A janitor? Most holy God, don’t You want to see the place we’ve prepared for You?”
“I’m sorry. Ruach has been working with Abu Isa to prepare the place for My throne. Bring My friend Abu.”
The janitor was brought to Him. After acknowledging his obeisance, the King lifted the old man up and linked arms with him for the walk to where the throne sits today. All the prophets, judges, kings, and apostles fell in behind as the massive crowd followed the returned Monarch of all Earth.
Questions
Do you see this as a plausible depiction of the return of Jesus? Or are you wedded to the notion of the Rapture in which Jesus takes believers to Heaven?