Parousia

Parousia, literally meaning “presence” or “arrival,” is used in early Christian texts to describe the anticipated return of Jesus. The term emphasizes presence rather than movement alone, highlighting the significance of who arrives and what that arrival brings. In the New Testament, parousia is associated with judgment, renewal, and the fulfillment of divine promises. It reflects expectations about the culmination of history and the transformation of the world, shaping early Christian views of time, hope, and responsibility in the present.