Do we benefit from C.T. Russell's research into the parousia or are Jehovah's Witnesses bound by the dogma he introduced? Assuredly, it is the latter. True, Russell was correct in teaching that the parousia should not be translated as "coming." That much is true.
It is a bit of forgotten theocratic history, but C.T. Russell was convinced that the parousia is invisible and that it had begun in 1874. Russell believed that up until his sudden death on Halloween, 1916. That is why from its founding the Watchtower Magazine caption read: The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.
For many years after his death the Bible Students and the renamed Jehovah's Witnesses accepted 1874 as the beginning of the ethereal parousia. It was not until the 30s that the date changed. Rather than focus on the shifting anchor date for the phantasmic event known as the parousia, this commentary will consider the underlying reasoning behind the doctrine of an invisible presence of Christ.
Jehovah's Witnesses might be surprised at how specious Russell's reasoning was. He claimed that if Jesus returned visibly it would nullify the ransom sacrifice. But didn't Jesus visibly appear to his disciples after he was resurrected? And because his disciples had such little faith Jesus needed to materialize bodies of flesh and blood in order to convince them that he was alive. So, did those various incarnations of Christ nullify the ransom he paid with his flesh and blood? Surely, everyone can correctly answer that question.
The Watchtower has explained the word "parousia" to mean “being alongside” and his being alongside occurs over an extended period. Okay. We understand that. And since we now know what the Greek word parousia means we are in a position to examine the facts. What facts? Did not Jesus assure his disciples that he would be with them all the days until the conclusion? And did not the Lord also assure his followers that where two or more are gathered together in his name he is in their midst? If Jesus is with his followers and in their midst in what way is his being alongside them any different? There is no point in reciting arcane calculations involving seven times and days of years or any of that chronological mumbo-jumbo. Did Jesus Christ, the Lord of the whole earth, in any way demonstrate that he had come alongside his followers in a way that was any different than before? Surely, everyone can correctly answer that question too.
32 years ago a Watchtower article on the Messiah's presence and rule, stated the following in paragraph seven:
Ah, and now we have the underlying error upon which the parousia delusion is founded. True, Jesus spent considerable time detailing the events that would mark the conclusion and his presence. Or did he? Can we separate the two things -- conclusion and presence? What I mean is, can the conclusion of the system commence before Christ comes alongside the chosen ones? Well, consider what Jesus said in conclusion: “Now learn this illustration from the fig tree: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors." - Matthew 24:33,34
What does it mean "he is near at the doors"? Jesus concluded his messages to the seven congregations using a similar expression: "All those for whom I have affection, I reprove and discipline. So be zealous and repent. Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and take the evening meal with him and he with me. To the one who conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations."
Can you imagine, Jesus going door to door? But in this illustration, Jesus is not looking to make disciples. No, his message to the congregation of Laodicea is directed to anointed persons who will be on earth when the Lord's day begins. Jesus knocking on the doors of their private homes means that those who hear his voice and who open the door and have Christ enter their home and take the evening meal together will be accepted into the Kingdom of Christ. Speaking to what he called his "little flock," Jesus spoke similarly, saying: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. And if he comes in the second watch, even if in the third, and finds them ready, happy are they! But know this, if the householder had known at what hour the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also, keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely, the Son of man is coming.” - Luke 12:35-40
Here is a question: Does the parousia precede Christ's coming or does the second coming of Christ climax with his presence among those who receive him into their homes? According to Jesus' simple illustration, his coming precedes his presence. And to be sure, in saying he "will come alongside and minister" to those who are found ready and waiting and who open the door when the Lord knocks, is to say he will be present with them in a way that is far different than his being with his disciples until the conclusion. To put things in perspective, Charles Russell lived before the invention of the automobile. He surely knew how a horse was harnessed to a cart or carriage. Somehow, though, concerning Jesus' coming and presence he got the proverbial cart before the horse. Not surprisingly the cart has not moved in 150 years!
Of course, the most egregious error is 1914. Not only did the parousia not begin then, but none of the things Jesus foretold began then. Nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom is still in our future, although by all accounts world war is imminent. Of the utmost relevance is that Jesus forewarned his little flock that many false prophets and false anointed persons would mislead many. Are we there yet? "Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations."
The Kingdom of God is in your midst
Part III Concerning the false prophets who will be empowered to perform great signs and wonders during the tribulation, why did Jesus say “if possible, even the chosen ones” would be deceived —implying that it will not be possible? What factor will make it impossible for the chosen
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Will Christ Return in a Manner Visible to Human Eyes?
From the very beginning the Watchtower Society has taught that Jesus returns invisibly; in fact, one of Russell’s first and most widely circulated articles back in the 1877 was entitled: “The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return.” This first week of April (2014) all congregations of Jehovah’s...
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The VISIBLE Presence of Jesus Christ
The belief that an invisible presence of Christ began in 1914 is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Watchtower Society’s teachings. The importance of the parousia doctrine to the theology of Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot be understated. It is, in fact, the basis for the Watchtower Society's...
e-watchman.com
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