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Parousia: The New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord's Second Coming

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This book attempts to look at every verse in the New Testament which refers to the coming, the Second Coming, of Jesus Christ. It actually comes up a bit short in doing so, but probably approaches at least 98% of the verses. Russell thoroughly shows by the historical contexts, the persons written to, and the Greek that it is impossibe for the Second Coming to be other than a first-century event. How can one refute the Greek texts, such as in 2 Tim. 4, which says "who is about to judge." Why don't the translators translate that 9-letter word which means "about" in the sense of "immediacy," "at the door"? Why do they leave it out completely? Is it because they insist on their own views over truth? Evidently, for Russell shows that there is no way to understand the Second Coming outside the first century when one takes the Greek as it is written, and written to the first-century believer.

There are two errors in Russell's book that does not contradict the final conclusion of the book. Russell's dealings with 1 Thess. 4:17 and Rev. 20 indicate a need for more thinking. These verses, though still misunderstood among preterists today, are coming to better light in how they fit the preterist view.

The 1000 years in the Greek is literally the 1000s years, referring not to a time period, but to an earlier non-time reference. In Rev. 7 & 14, the 144,000 is actually 144,000s and the the 12,000 references are 12,000s. In other words, the period of time in Rev. 20 is not a 1000 years, but the 1000s years, the term 1000s being a qualitative rather than quantitative description of the period of reigning: it was the years of the reign of the thousands earlier defined in chapters 7 & 14 of Revelation. That reign was between 38 and 40 years.

Russell also fails to link 1 Thess. 4:17 with some other important references in 1 Cor 15 and 2 Cor. 5:1-4. The activity of this verse is not something that happens as a group, but something that happens to every believer as they die, and this verse concerns those who die after 70 AD versus verse 16 which refers to what happened in 70 AD to saints who had died up to 70 AD at the SEcond Coming of Christ.

Nevertheless, this book is a must read for anyone who truly takes the revealed truth of scripture seriously and puts truth above tradition, feelings, popularity, etc. Read this and DeMar's "Last Days Madness," and then try to figure out how anyone can believe "left behind" theology. It's because the truth as so competently revealed in this and DeMar's book is being deliberately hidden from the people by the sensationalists, the false prophets who continue to predict, fail, and rewrite their false predictions.

Any person sincerely looking for biblical truth in the area of eschatology will have to face this book and DeMar's book. To refuse to do so would be to deliberately ignore important historical and foundational hermeneutical documents that are critical to making sure we are letting the Bible interpret the Bible. But I'm sure there are many of a certain group who would rather be "left behind" than face these matters openmindedly.

Russell's and DeMar's books are THE extra-biblical standards available today that must be faced, and they are irrefutable concerning the fact that the Second Coming is past, if one remains true to scripture.

After reading this book for the second time, I had to come back here and udpate my review. I wish there could be an option to give this book 100 stars, but unfortunately, that is not possible.

Every Christian caught in the "Rapture fever" should consider reading this book with an open mind, and with the Bible in the other hand, while putting the other "end of the world" books down.

The Parousia appears to be THE authority on eschatology. Russell provides excellent biblical support for every single one of his arguments, and he is succesful in proving that the second coming of Jesus already took place in 70 AD, when the Jewish temple and jewish religious system was destroyed, to allow the creation of a "new heaven and a new earth" for us Christians. Some of Russell's biblical arguments are:

- Malachi 4:5 where the coming of Elijah is predicted and Matthew 11:4 where Jesus tells the disciples that John the Baptist was the Elijah that was to come

- Matthew 24 and Luke 21, passages that clearly discuss two events (the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming of the Son of Man) taking place at the same time

- Matthew 24:34 where Jesus says in plain terms that all the things he described will take place during that generation

- Matthew 10:23 where Jesus tells the disciples that they will not finish going through the cities in Jerusalem before his coming will take place.

Russell's book is the best resource, and the authority on the subject, unlike other christian fiction books with no basis in reality or scripture.

The Bible was written for plain people, to be understood by plain and uneducated people. Christians do not need a theology professor with a PHD or a highly educated preacher to explain to them what Revelation is all about. Like Russel did, the Bible should be read for what it is, from a historical perspective. When a reader does that, the Bible will all make sense, without the aid of theologians and hyperactive, "armaghedon" bent preachers. When John wrote Revelation and sent it to the "seven churches of Asia" he did not bundle the letter with a 10,000 page commentary to help them understand it, yet the readers knew exactly what John was writing about! This book is a MUST BUY for every christian! Also highly recommended from amazon.com is Josephus Flavius: The Wars of the Jews, an excellent addition to The Parousia!

This is the most amazing and scholarly work on eschatology I have ever read (and I've read many). J.S. Russell received his Master's degree at the age of 19 (when most of us are either graduating high school or just starting college).

He has such a reverence for the Word of God over tradition. He never forces the text and seems to refute every other angle imaginable.

This is a MUST read for any serious student of the Bible.

Russell was never as harsh as the April 1 and April 21 reviewers. I hope it wasn't the same person logging on twice under different i.d.'s...that would be deceptive. Their observations which voice opposition to Russell's book are welcomed by me, but they vomited a bunch of insults without offering any counterpoints. What, then, do they recommend? A web site about contingencies is less than satisfying. Tell us here, fella(s). Replace what you burned down with soemthing better. Your articles seem more pleased to serve as a lynching rather than as a comment on the book.

The core of Russell's book is the time-texts within the New Testament as they relate to prophecies. They are dripping from the pages, from Matthew to Revelation and in almost every book in between. What do they mean? Russell wrote this lengthy book to address them; our friendly reviewers did not bother. Now, Russell obviously has his critics who say he went too far; but others criticize that he didn't go far enough. Still others criticize that he ventured this direction at all. So, consider his argument carefully if you read this book. Consider the basic point he makes, then also consider the specifics he offers. You might accept the basic premise without the particulars.

I will offer additional resources (no pesky websites here): Gentry's "Before Jerusalem Fell," Sproul's "Last Days According to Jesus," and DeMar's "Last Days Madness."

As do they, I also recommend Russell's book. You will see why he makes the claims that our April Fool(s) lambasted so casually. You may laugh at those claims too. On the other hand, he may make you wish to research the issue further. But I think you will see that he honored the Word in his own enlightened or unenlightened way. His prose is eloquent, and reading it will improve your English.

There are a plethora of eschatological opinions, and it won't help if we follow the Lindsey/LaHaye my-way-or-the-highway routine. Steve Gregg's parallel commentary on Revelation bears out the different schools, as well as the shades of difference within each school. Russell is but one voice in the crowded mall of eschatology. I congratulate him for publishing his views and opening them to scrutiny. The April Fool(s) did far less than he. Lots of heat, but no light. C'mon guys, toughen up and lay your eschatology on the table! I'm sure there are masses of people who are more than willing to ridicule your stance, too, no matter what it is! He who kills with the pen perishes by the pen.

Personally speaking, there are so many eschatological views out there that no one would be damaged to learn a few dissenting opinons from their own.

Finally, the alleged parallel of Russell to the Jehovah's Witnesses falls short simply because they propped up non-Biblical false prophecies that came from headquarters. J. Stuart Russell only considered the Biblical text.

This book is a work of sober and reverent scholarship. The two anonymous readers who gave it a one-star rating either did not read the book at all, or they read it in a careless manner.

J. Stuart Russell of course recognized that this earth is full of sin and suffering. He clearly taught in his book that Jesus's Second Coming took place in A. D. 70, at which time all the faithful Christians (both living and dead) as well as the Old Testament saints were caught up to Heaven in immortal, transfigured bodies. For these people there is no more sin or suffering. Mr. Russell nowhere suggests that there is no more sin or suffering on earth.

Further, it is not absurd or unscriptural to believe that the general resurrection happened invisibly. In fact, scripture leads us to believe that the general resurrection would indeed be invisible. Consult II Kings chapter two, in which only by a special grace of God was Elisha able to see Elijah as God caught Elijah up to Heaven. Consult Acts 9, in which Saul's companions could not see the risen Jesus when he appeared to Saul. If only by the special grace of God could Elijah's catching-up and Jesus's appearing to Saul be seen, then why should anyone suppose that those not caught-up to Heaven in A. D. 70 (i. e., pagans and heretics) would be given the grace to witness the general resurrection?

Finally, it is no wonder at all that people for millennia have misinterpreted the scriptures. At Christ's Second Coming in A. D. 70, all those Christians who really "got it" were caught-up from the earth. The only "Christians" left on earth were the heretics. They proceeded to interpret the scripture in their mistaken, heretical fashion, and their historical heirs followed suit.

This book is fantastic!! I have been a Christian for almost 30 years. I have spent most of it in silence, as I have not found anyone else who believes as I do. I have found that person in J. Stuart Russell and this wonderful book. I am amazed as I read many of the same things I have written over the years. What an amazing Bible scholar.

If you are serious in desiring to know God and the truth concerning the Second Coming of Christ, then read, 'The Parousia.'

This book should be read carefully by every serious students of the Bible. Russell, contrary to most exegetes, has taken at face value the numerous time statements relating to the coming (parousia = presence) of the Lord. If you hold tenaciously to the futurist interpretation, you will probably not accept Russell's conclusions. Yet it is a biblical fact that the primitive Christians were expecting some events in their own generation. For those interested, I am currently working on a French edition of Russell's book. Write me at:eschaton25@hotmail.com

The Parousia has probably influenced the way I understand the New Testament more than any other book. Russell does an excellent job of research especially with the parables, Malachi, John the Baptist and the Epistles as well as the Olivet discourse. His commentary on the Revelation is good although I think his handle on Revelation 20 is somewhat lacking.

Before reading the Parousia I would have described myself as amillennial in my eschatology-doctrine. Although I was very "preteristic" before reading the Parousia I still viewed the second coming as yet future and unfulfilled. After reading the Parousia and examining the Scriptures and early church doctrine I now hold to a 1st century parousia as the Apostles anticipated would come in their own generation. This is what the LORD taught His disciples and I believe He fulfilled His word to them. The judgment of Jerusalem was evident for the world to see but the glorification of the saints in the parousia was not evident to the natural eye. Paul described the glorification of our bodies as a "mystery" that would happen in the "twinkling of an eye." This was preceded by a thorough examination of the nature of the body in resurrection and glorification (I Corinthians 15).

The Parousia has also influenced mainstream Evangelical theologians. I think this book may have influenced R.C. Sproul enough for him to examine preterism in his book "The Last Days According to Jesus." Also, Dr. Kenneth Gentry refers to the Parousia a lot in his excellent book "Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation." The Preterist Archive website hails the Parousia as sort of a "Preterist Manifesto."

I highly recommend this book. I only wished there was an edition with larger print as the small print is very hard on my eyes!

James Pinneo

Tulsa, Ok

If you read only one book on Christ's 2nd Coming or the "Last Days" -- in fact, if you read only one book on theology or one book on history -- THIS IS IT. In making the case that Christ's 2nd Coming occurred in A.D. 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, Russell's book is a masterpiece. His argumentation is cogent and lucid, and his prose is stirring and beautiful. Written in the late 19th century, this book was, and still is, far ahead of its time.

I read the the book, The Parousia, by J. Stuart Russell, first published in 1878, and received such a blessing from it I purchased several copies to give to my Christian friends. Dr. Russell examines the doctrine of our Lords's Second Coming (parousia in Greek), and very convincingly argues in favor of the full preterits point of view, concluding that the second return of Christ was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70A.D.

If Scripture is to be the final court of arbitration in matters of doctrine, then one must be willing to lay aside traditional teaching and allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves. There is much truth to be gleaned from Dr. Russell's labors, and all who will read this book with an open heart will find themselves richly blessed and well equipped to rightly divide the Word of God.

A large portion of this book has been published on the web at the following URL address:In His Service Merle END