Nuanced
Second Coming = Lord's presence through New Church established by Swedenborg
Rather than interpreting the Second Coming as a future physical event, Swedenborgianism teaches that the Second Coming refers to the spiritual presence of the Lord through the revelation of the inner sense of Scripture and the establishment of the New Church (New Jerusalem). Swedenborg believed he was instrumental in revealing this inner sense and ushering in a new phase of divine revelation.
The Second Coming is a spiritual event that has already begun through Swedenborg's revelations and continues through the New Church. This represents the Lord's renewed presence and operation in human consciousness, not a physical descent from the clouds.
Key Distinctions
- Return expectation:
- Second Coming already accomplished through Swedenborg's revelations; the New Church is the New Jerusalem
- Tribulation view:
- not applicable
- Parousia nature:
- spiritual — the Lord came in his Word through the New Jerusalem teaching
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity