Since time immemorial, it has been in human nature to explore the future for one’s own actions through oracle sayings and mantic practices. On another level, the prophet acts as the bearer of the word of God, proclaiming the will of the deity to make its presence tangible to humanity. Parousia thus means the presence of a deity, as it is primarily documented in the Hellenistic period through the phenomenon of epiphany. In the New Testament, however, parousia refers to the powerful return of the Son of Man in heaven for the Last Judgment. This collection brings together 25 contributions from classical philologists, ancient historians, archaeologists, religious scholars, and theologians to illustrate a developmental line from Homer in the 8th century BCE to Augustine in late antiquity, while paying attention to specific key terms. A focal point is established here.