The following is taken from a QFR in a Watchtower magazine:
[Question]: At Matthew 24:3 …[the disciples] did not at that time understand that it would be an invisible presence.
[part of Answer]: Not yet having received holy spirit,
• [the disciples] did not appreciate that he would not sit on an earthly throne;
• they had no idea that he would rule as a glorious spirit from the heavens, and therefore
• did not know that his second presence would be invisible.…
Jesus did not answer in so many words that he would be invisibly present, but he outlined evidences that would make his presence recognizable, whether visible or invisible. (Watchtower September 15 1964, pages 575-576 “Questions From Readers”, edited)
Disciples believed in a visible parousia
by Doug Mason 2 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Doug Mason
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Must obey!
Not quite sure what the point is that you are making.
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snowbird
This account is from The Message Bible:
Matthew 24:30 -31 "Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven. At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.
I see nothing in the above account that suggests an invisible parousia or presence.
Thank you, Doug Mason, for an interesting thread - as usual.
Sylvia