Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The parousia or “coming” of Christ has many meanings. It means not only his Final Coming in judgment and salvation at the end of time, but his coming in judgment in AD 70, his coming for each of us at the hour of our death, and his coming to us in the sacraments — particularly the Eucharist. All of these acts of judgment and mercy point to the ultimate act of judgment and mercy which shall be unveiled when the new heaven and the new earth are revealed on the Last Day. The way we prepare for that Last Day is to trust God’s gift of mercy in Jesus, do the right thing, receive the sacraments, and live one day at a time for Jesus. That may seem ordinary or mundane, but it’s exactly what the Coming One said to do. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
