With the purport of these latter passages, indi- cating a possible delay in the coming, there are several other sayings of Jesus that distinctly agree, as, e.g., the two parables already mentioned (Mt 251-12 and Lk 12^2-46)^ and also the parable of the Unjust Judge (Lk 18'"'^). We find, besides, that in a particular group of parables — the Mustard Seed, the Leaven (Mt 13^i-^^), and the Growing Grain of Corn (Mk 4-^-^^) — the Kingdom He came to establish is represented as subject to the law of growth. Evidently Jesus was not unmindful of the prepara- tory process it might be necessary for the world to pass through ere He could usher in the Kingdom in its full glory. His words can be interpreted as indicating a recognition of the natural course of human development as an essential factor in deter- mining the time when the world would be ripe for the final manifestation of His power. Moreover, He spoke also of the evangelization of the Gentile races as a work to be undertaken ere the end should come (Mt 24" 26i», Mk 1^% The gospel was first to be published among all nations, that they also might have an opportunity of accepting the offer of grace ; ' the times of the Gentiles must be fulfilled ' (Lk 2V'*). Here again there is fore- shadowed a lengthened process, requiring, not a generation only, but an era, for its accomplish- ment. Manifestly Jesus took into account the gradual evolution of human aftairs in contemplat- ing the triumph of His Kingdom, while at the same time His faith in that triumph was so real and assured, and His vision of it so intensely clear, that it seemed to Him imminent, on the eve of fulfilment ; and when He spoke under this feeling His disciples gathered the impression that it was close at hand, and they naturally understood the supreme event to be synchronous with the fall of Jerusalem, though in tnis, as it proved, they were mistaken.
2. Manner. — As to the manner of the Parousia, a considerable number of passages represent it as altogether startling and unexpected. It is to break in upon the world as a sudden surprise, while men are busied Avith their earthly aftairs, like the Flood in the time of Noah, or the destruction of Sodom in the time of Lot (Lk W^-^"- ^). Its approach shall be as that of a tliief, stealing into the house with- out warning (123^*-)> or as the arrival of an absent master at an hour when his servants are not look- ing for him (vv.42-46)^ qj. ^s the return of the bride-
groom in the night-time, leading his bride and the marriage party to the wedding-feast (Mt 251"-'^). (Jn the other hand, there are passages in the Eschatological Discourse in Mt 24 and Mk 13 which seem to represent the final coming as pre- ceded by certain manifest signs which shall give evidence of its nearness — the appearance of false Christs (Mt 24^, Mk 13«- 22), wars, earthquakes, and famines (Mt 24', Mk 13'"i"), persecutions and tribu- lations (Mt 248, Mk 13"-i3), the darkened sun and falling stars (Mt 242", Mk IS'^^- ^s). If, however, the view of the composite character of that discourse, as we now have it, is accepted, the passages de- scribing such arresting phenomena may be inter- l>reted as vivid pictorial forecasts of the calamitous state of things by which the threatened Jewish crisis would be ushered in. But "\\'hether that view is accepted or not, special weight must be attached to the warning given by Jesus that even the most striking and palpable signs might be misread. The heralds of the great climax, He declares, must not be taken as the climax itself ; ' All these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet ' (Mt 24"). After all, apparently, what- ever may be the catastrophic social or other up- heavals by which it is preluded, the signal event is to come suddenly and unexpectedly, at such an hour as men think not (Mt 24"^ Lk 12^". 46)_ yet, when it does come, there shall be no dubiety ; the splendour shall be dazzlingly patent, like the lightning-flash illumining all the heavens (Mt 242').
3. Significance. — The decisive significance of the Parousia was expressed by Jesus in words of pro- found solemnity. What it will involve, according to His teaching, may be briefly summed up as follows :
(1) The Divine dignity of His Person shall then be disclosed. He will appear in heavenly majesty, attended by His holy angels, and His glory and power shall be fully revealed (Mt 24^" 253'' 26''^ Mk 8^8).
(2) His authority as Judge shall be put in force. Entrusted by the Father with supreme judicial functions (Jn 522- ^), He will gather all nations before Him to receive a reward according to their works (Mt 162' 25^2) . the secrets of all hearts shall be unveiled (Lk 122) . there shall be a sifting and separation of the good from the bad, the spurious from the true (Mt 722- 23 1341. 49 2532) . and the sen- tence of approval or of condemnation passed shall depend on the attitude and spirit towards Himself by which the life has been swayed (25^'^).
(3) The future destinies of men shall be deter- mined. The day shall at last have arrived — ' that day ' (Mt 722, Lk 10^2) so momentous to every soul^ when there can be no more self-deception, and the results of the law of recompense shall have to be faced, the righteous and pure-hearted being raised to eternal life and blessedness in the presence of the Father, and the unworthy and insincere cast into the outer darkness (Mt 13«-^3 2213 2534-««, Mk 8»8).