I believe that the disciples at the time Mt 24 was taking place were NOT thinking about the so-called "2nd Coming" and the "end of the KOSMOS". At the time they framed the question, they thought: "the kingdom of God should immediately appear" Lk 19:11 They were asking Jesus for a 'sign' that would serve to tip them off so they'd be ready to fight. I think Jesus' answer must have totally mystified them.

They were NOT asking about His "2nd COMING" but about "His PRESENCE" and the "end" of that then present "aion/age" and the beginning of the Messianic "aion/age"

> But still, the question was about 'the time
> of (Christ's) return and the end of the
> world'.

Actually, the word "return" is not used here at all. The word is "coming".

"The Greek word PAROUSIA is translated as "coming" in your King James Bible, and that is where a lot of the problems with the so-called "second coming" begin. The word actually means "along side" or "presence." And there are many, many scriptures that the Bible projects as talking about the "coming" of the Lord that are not talking at all about a physical descent of Jesus from the sky. They speak rather of His coming in us, His appearing through us, the glory of the fullness of the presence of the Lord in the midst of the church, the presence of the Lord in the earth.

"The word PAROUSIA is used twice in the New Testament when it does not apply to Jesus, but to the apostle Paul. These, and other, uses of the word establish its real meaning. Paul expresses others' appraisal of him, saying, "His letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence (PAROUSIA) is weak" (II Cor. 10:10). And again, writing to the saints at Philippi, Paul says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence (PAROUSIA) only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12).

"It can be seen at once that the use of the word "coming" to translate the Greek word PAROUSIA in the foregoing texts would have given an entirely wrong meaning to Paul's words. In these passages it is the PRESENCE of a human being that is involved, so we understand what Paul means. It is not discussing his "coming" or "arrival," but his actual presence in their midst after having arrived. So we need only to move from the understandable into the realm in which we do not fully understand in order to realize what the scriptures mean which discuss the PAROUSIA of our Lord; that meaning being His ACTUAL PRESENCE, not His "coming." And many of these references are not future tense!"

> Clearly both Jesus and the disciples viewed
> this as a future event. Not a part of the
> already begun, rather gradual shift from
> legalism to grace but a catostrophic endtime
> event marking the end of history as they
> knew it.

Well, I don't think the disciples did but Jesus did.

Joel is always talking about the "PRESENCE of the Lord" as a revelation that is yet future. I think it is past, present and future. I think that is the key to Revelation and the key to understanding the "Coming or Presence" of the Lord. That His "Presence" is indeed with us now but that at some future date "after the tribulation of those days" His Presence will be revealed IN us in great "glory".