Apostolic Expectation of Jesus' Return in the First Century
The apostolic expectation of Jesus' return in the first century is rooted in various New Testament texts and early Christian writings. The apostles and early Christians believed that Jesus would return, an event often referred to as the "parousia" [3]. This expectation is evident in the writings of the apostle Paul, particularly in his earliest letters, such as 1 Thessalonians, written around AD 50-52 [2].
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages the believers to "wait for his Son from heaven" (1 Thessalonians 1:10) [6]. The Thessalonian epistles are considered among the earliest written records of Christianity, providing insight into the early Christian understanding of Jesus' return [2]. Paul's teaching on the subject emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus as a foundation for confidence in his return (1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) [8].
The Gospels also reflect an expectation of Jesus' return. In Matthew 24:29-30, 34, Jesus is quoted as saying that his return would occur within the lifetime of some who were present [3]. This passage contributed to a widespread expectation among early Christians of a speedy return of Christ. The use of terms like "apokalupsis," "parousia," and "epiphaneia" in the New Testament to describe Jesus' return underscores the significance of this event in early Christian theology [3].
The early Christian community's expectation of Jesus' return was also influenced by Jewish messianic expectations. Some Jews anticipated a messianic figure who would bring spiritual leadership and political redemption to Israel [5]. While Jesus' disciples understood him as the Messiah, they initially expected him to establish a kingdom on earth, as evident in Acts 1:6 [4].
The apostolic writings demonstrate a complex understanding of Jesus' return, encompassing both its certainty and its timing. While the exact timing was considered uncertain, the event itself was seen as imminent. The apostle Paul's letters, in particular, reflect a tension between the expectation of an immediate return and the recognition that the timing was unknown [3, 6].
The early Christian expectation of Jesus' return has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, with some traditions understanding it as a premillennial event and others as a postmillennial or amillennial occurrence [1]. Regardless of the interpretive framework, the apostolic expectation of Jesus' return remains a foundational aspect of Christian eschatology.
The significance of Jesus' return in the apostolic era is closely tied to the resurrection, which was seen as the firstfruits of a larger harvest of God's people who would be resurrected [7]. This connection between Jesus' resurrection and the anticipated return underscores the central role of eschatology in early Christian theology.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Millennium — A thousand years; the name given to the era mentioned in Rev. 20:1-7. Some maintain that Christ will personally appear on earth for the purpose of establishing his kingdom at the beginning of this millennium. Those holding this view are usually called "millenarians." On the other hand, it is maintained, more in accordance with the teaching of Scripture, we think, that Christ's second advent will not be premillennial, and that the right conception of the prospects and destiny of his kingdom is that which is taught, e.g., in the parables of the leaven and ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Thessalonians, First Epistle To The — was written by the apostle Paul at Corinth, a few months after he had founded the church at Thessalonica, at the close of the year A.D. 62 or the beginning of 53. The Epistles to the Thessalonians, then (for the second followed the first after no long interval), are the earliest of St. Paul's writings--perhaps the earliest written records of Christianity. It is interesting, therefore, to compare the Thessalonian epistles with the later letters, and to note the points of These differences are mainly + In the general style of these ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together,.... That is, Christ, and his eleven apostles; for not the hundred and twenty disciples hereafter mentioned, nor the five hundred brethren Christ appeared to at once, are here intended, but the apostles, as appears from Act 1:2. they asked of him, saying, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? The kingdom had been for some time taken away from the Jews, Judea was reduced to a Roman province, and was now actually under the power of a Roman governor. And the nation in general was in great expectation, that upon ”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 1:20: 1:20 The Jews expected the Messiah (the Hebrew form of the Greek word Christ) to bring spiritual leadership and political redemption to Israel (see Deut 18:15; see also the Jewish intertestamental book Psalms of Solomon).”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:10: This verse distinguishes them from the Jews, as Th1 1:9 from the idolatrous Gentiles. To wait for the Lord's coming is a sure characteristic of a true believer, and was prominent amidst the graces of the Thessalonians (Co1 1:7-8). His coming is seldom called his return (Joh 14:3); because the two advents are regarded as different phases of the same coming; and the second coming shall have features altogether new connected with it, so that it will not be a mere repetition of the first, or a mere coming back again. his Son . . . raised from th”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:20: 15:20 In the Old Testament, the first crop was dedicated to God (see Exod 23:19). Christ’s resurrection is the first of a great harvest of God’s people who will be resurrected (see Col 1:18).”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 1:10: 1:10 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the core of the apostles’ preaching (4:14; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 10:40; 13:29-30; 1 Cor 15:3-8) and the foundation for confidence in Jesus’ return (see 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Thes 1:6-10).”