Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Reflection
When we carefully examine the original language in which the New Testament was written, we find nuances often lost in translation that deeply enrich our understanding of who Christ is and how He relates to us. The Greek word parousia, frequently translated as “coming,” literally means “presence.” It does not describe a single future event, but the reality of being present, of actively manifesting.
Similarly, erchomai—the verb used to describe Christ as “the one who was, who is, and who is to come”—carries a quality of continuity in its verbal form that points to something occurring constantly, not a single isolated event in time. Christ is the One whose presence continually manifests among those who gather in His name, just as He Himself promised: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This promise describes a presence available in every moment His people gather with hearts turned toward Him.
The word epiphania, in turn, describes a manifestation, a radiance of light made visible that brings revelation where darkness or ignorance once was. Throughout church history, many have witnessed moments where Christ’s presence became tangible in a way that transcended ordinary experience: encounters where His glory was felt almost palpably, where hearts were instantly transformed, where the spiritual awareness of those present was raised to a new depth of understanding. These experiences testify that Christ continues to manifest, continues to reveal Himself, continues to come in the deepest sense of that word.
It is time for the church to stop passively waiting for a distant coming and to learn to recognize the parousia, the constant presence of Christ, available here and now, every time His people gather, pray, and seek His face. Believing Christ means taking His promise of presence seriously—not only as an affirmed doctrine, but as an experienced reality.
Meditation for today
Am I living aware of the parousia, the continuous presence of Christ, or only waiting for a future event?
Have I experienced moments of epiphania, where the glory of Christ became tangible in a way that transformed my understanding?
What does it mean for me to truly believe Christ today, in a practical, everyday way?
Prayer
Father, thank You that Christ is the One whose presence continually manifests among those who gather in His name. Help me recognize Your parousia, Your constant presence, in every moment of my life.
Open my spiritual eyes to receive the epiphania of Your glory, that my awareness may be raised and my heart transformed from glory to glory. Teach me to truly believe You, Lord, not only with words, but by living aware that You are here, in our midst, right now. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Blessings beloved
Ana Mendez Ferrell