As I continue this study, I want to distinguish Christ’s presence through the Spirit from the events Scripture describes concerning His coming and gathering.
These belong together in my understanding, but their relationship requires attention to progression.
Receiving does not mean every stage has been completed. Waiting does not mean there is no relationship already being lived.
Receiving While Still Waiting
1 Thessalonians 1:5–10 places these details together.
Paul describes people who received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Yet he also describes them as waiting for God’s Son from heaven.
They have received, and they are waiting.
That distinction matters to my study. I understand Christ’s presence through the Spirit as a living relationship. I do not understand that relationship to mean every promise concerning His manifestation and gathering has already been fulfilled.
An Encounter With the Risen Jesus
In Acts 9:3–17, Jesus addresses Saul, who asks who is speaking. Jesus identifies Himself.
Later, Ananias refers to Jesus having appeared to Saul and explains that he was sent so Saul might regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The encounter, the recognition, and the receiving deserve individual attention. We should examine what happens in each part of the account before combining them into a single description.
This is why I distinguish encountering the risen Jesus from identifying that encounter as the completion of everything still anticipated.
Presence Before Recognition
Mary’s experience brings another detail into view.
In John 20:14–18, she sees Jesus and hears Him speak, yet supposes He is the gardener. When He addresses her by name, she responds, “Rabboni.”
His presence precedes her recognition.
That is one reason outward appearance cannot settle every question in my study. I am also examining speaking, hearing, recognition, and the relationship through which someone becomes known.
Keeping the Roles and Progression Visible
In the wider comparison I have been tracing, Christ is Head. I then follow the body and the feet—the woman as Last—before the return for those remaining.
That is the interpretive sequence I am examining across passages. It should remain visible as we study each connection, rather than allowing one familiar title to erase the distinctions.
A role, a manifestation, and a gathering are details to examine. Their relationship should be explained rather than assumed.
The Anointing and the Anticipation
1 John 2:18–28 gives us another important comparison.
The chapter speaks of the last hour. It also describes an anointing already received and abiding within, while urging the readers to abide in Christ in view of His manifestation and coming.
Again, receiving and anticipation appear together.
For me, this keeps God’s timing connected with what is unfolding, rather than reducing the study to a timetable of my own making.
The relationship is lived as the progression continues.
Threads to Follow
Receiving the Spirit while awaiting what follows.
Christ’s presence and recognition.
The Head, body, and feet.
First and Last as part of the wider comparison.
The anointing, the last hour, and abiding.
Manifestation and the gathering of those remaining.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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