The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
John 12:12-13 (ESV)
In the Roman world of the New Testament, when a Roman emperor or other high official would visit a city, they would generally be greeted with an adventus. This was a ceremony honoring the arrival of the visiting dignitary. A public procession would go out of the city to welcome the honored guest. Then they escort them back into the city.
When we read about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, we see that it closely resembles a Roman adventus. The people of Jerusalem went out to greet Jesus, proclaiming Him as king, and escorting Him into the city. There was an excitement among at least some part of the city’s population that Jesus was God’s messiah and appointed king. And they responded accordingly.
There is what many consider another allusion to a Roman adventus. This one is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This passage pictures Jesus descending to earth with great fanfare. And, as He does, the dead in Christ will rise, and those of us still alive will join them. Together, we will be caught up into the clouds to greet Jesus in the air.
If this is indeed an allusion to a Roman adventus, then we will be forming the ‘honor guard’ that will be going out to meet King Jesus. But our sojourn in the sky will be brief, just a quick turnaround, and then back to the earth for the real Triumphal Entry.
