Q: I have several questions that maybe you could apply your thinking to.

When Jesus said at (Luke 12:40) 40 YOU also, keep ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”

Since it seems as if even so called Christendom, in part, is expecting the arrival of Jesus in one form or another, the same as Jehovah's Witnesses, then how is it that it will be “at an hour that YOU do not think likely.”?

Also, is this a correct understanding, that there is no difference between Jesus' presence and his coming? It seems that the question asked by the disciples and recorded as below was in two parts. First asking about WHEN these things would be and second about what will be the SIGN when these things are destine to OCCUR, CONCLUDE, (PRESENCE and CONCLUSION).

Luke 21:7) . . .“Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?”

(Matthew 24:3) “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of (your presence and of the conclusion) of the system of things?”

(Mark 13:3-4) . . .: 4 “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are destined to come to a

conclusion?”

. . . Notice that I put Matthew's part in brackets. This is because it seems he was saying the one, presence, brings about the other, conclusion. So that they are one and the same. Matthew was just identifying that Jesus' presence brings the conclusion. Sort of like “what will be the sign that it is snowing and the ground will become white?”

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A: Jesus returns only once, and that is when he comes in kingdom glory; at which time he will accomplish everything in connection with his presence. (Matt. 25:31-33) He does not return several times, as we are led to believe, such as coming in 1914 to identify his disciples and appoint them over all his belongings; and then come again at another time to judge the wicked within God's household; and then perhaps still another time to execute judgment upon Babylon the Great and the entire world of mankind. Jesus told his disciples: “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it.” (Luke 12:40; AB) Why would his own disciples not anticipate the hour of his return, and they be therefore caught by surprise? (Matt. 24:44; 25:13)

One way in which Jesus might come upon his disciples "at an hour that you do not think likely," could well be on account of them having false expectations and being "dead," that is, having neither his nor his Father's approval. That was the case of the congregation in Sardis, to whom Jesus wrote: "I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead. Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all what hour I shall come upon you." (Rev. 3:1-3)

Clearly, any congregation that resembles anything like the one in Sardis, will not anticipate Jesus' unexpected return. Take us, the Witnesses, for example: We have been taught for over a hundred years that Jesus returned in 1914, and has been "present" [his parousia] ever since. But according to Jesus' own words, the signs he gave regarding his presence would be prove, not that he is now present, but of the nearness of his presence. (Matt. 24:32,33; Luke 21:29-31) Being mistaken about 1914 means that we are also mistaken in our expectations about Christ's return; for we are not in expectation of things that we believe have already occurred. Can you see how Jesus will come "at a time you do not think to be it," or "not likely," upon the majority?

It should be noted, however, that those of God's people who are taught by holy spirit, and who have refused to put their trust in the shifting teachings of men, will not be caught unawares. That is why Paul wrote: "But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake you as it would thieves, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness." (1 Thess. 5:4,5; Psalms 146:3,5; 1 Cor. 2:10) Not just Jesus, but also other Bible writers, foretold many events in connection with the time leading up to Jesus' return that would have drastic consequences on God's people, who are God's temple and his household. These prophecies we are now seeing undergoing fulfillment, and they help to keep us awake. (1 Cor. 3:16,17; 1 Tim. 3:15) 

You asked whether there is a difference between Jesus' "coming" and his "presence." Jesus' "coming" refers to the time leading up to his arrival. For example, he gave his disciples an illustration to help them understand this point. He told about a man who went on a long journey, and before leaving he called his slaves and entrusted to them some talents which he expected them to increase in value during his absence. He did not tell them the length of his journey, nor on what day he would return; therefore they needed to be mindful of their work at all times, staying awake. But, in order for them not to be entirely caught off guard, and perhaps to increase their joyous anticipation of his return, he gave them some indications that they would understand to mean that he was now on his way back. We might say that his return journey is his "coming," whereas his "presence" is when he has actually arrived and calls his slaves to him to settle accounts with them. (Matt. 25:13-30) In our day, Jesus' "coming" refers to the duration of the "conclusion of the system of things" during which time we observe the many signs that Jesus gave. They will end with his actual arrival, his "presence," at which time he settles accounts with his slaves whom he had appointed to provide timely food for the domestics, the members of God's house, before he ascended to heaven. There will be no doubt whatsoever when the master has finally returned. (Matt. 24:45-51)

Of course, the disciples wanted to know more specifically the time involved regarding Jesus' return, asking: "When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" (Matt. 24:3) It is noteworthy that Jesus did not answer the first part of the question as to when. Later he explained to them the reason for that, saying: "It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction." At that time, even the Son had not been given this information. How much less would God make it known to us; otherwise there would be no need for us to stay awake. (Acts 1:7; Matt. 24:36) We could discern that Jesus' presence was imminent only by observing the signs he gave. That is very basic, but hard for many to accept. The fact is, once Jesus actually has returned there will be no need for signs, for it will be evident to everyone, including his enemies; for he comes in his glory and will accomplish everything he foretold in connection with his presence; which includes settling accounts with his slaves, such as removing the wicked slaves while rewarding the faithful ones, and executing the foretold judgment upon God's people; which will be followed by the judgment upon the world, including Babylon the Great. None of these things will take place in the dark, as if in secret, where no one knows what is happening. (Compare Zeph. 1:14-18; Luke 21:25-28; 2 Thess. 1:6-10)

As you correctly noted in your question, Jesus' presence means the end of this system of things. He gave the signs in order for those who put faith in him to discern that the time was now at hand. That Jesus has not yet returned is evident by the fact that wicked and lawless people still exist within God’s household, for he says that he will send forth his angels to remove from his kingdom “all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness,” which includes the pedophiles, the adulterers, murderers, the drunkards, the greedy, the causes for the epidemic of broken marriages because of persons who are “self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power.” (1 Cor. 6:9,10; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)

Yes, shockingly these things still exist among God's people and cause much suffering to many. Their wicked acts are even reported in the Newspapers, and because of them “the way of the truth is being spoken of abusively.” (2 Peter 2:2) Clearly, all such ones will be surprised at their sudden demise, when Jesus will cleanse God's temple and remove all the wicked ones from within it, at his presence. They have only themselves to blame for not having kept awake, "all the time making supplication that [they] may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36)


 

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