The Great Congregation of Jerusalem in 1033
The Second Coming of Christ
Imagine the scene: pilgrims streaming into Jerusalem, their hearts gleaming with expectation, their voices raised in prayer and praise. Rumors had spread like wildfire across continents, proclaiming that the thousandth anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would herald His triumphant return to Earth. The anticipation was electric, palpable in the air as crowds swelled in anticipation of the divine event in 1033.
For these Western European believers, Jerusalem was not just a city of historical significance; it was the epicenter of their faith, the axis mundi to heaven, the ancient relic where Jesus had walked, taught, and ultimately sacrificed Himself for the redemption of humanity (Armstrong 266). And now, they believed, it would be the site of His glorious return. The millennium of His crucifixion was the perfect opportunity for Christ to present himself during a world-apocalyptic episode where severe famine paralleled the catastrophes of the Last Days (Glaber, History 3:1).
This transcontinental belief stemmed from the late Roman prophecies that foretold that before the End of Days, an Emperor from the West would battle the Antichrist in Jerusalem (Armstrong 266). The Book of Revelation, where the indication of a final battle of the Antichrist, introduced the importance of the millennium after Christ's initial victory over Satan (Revelation 20:1-3). As the days drew closer to the fateful year of 1033, the streets of Jerusalem teemed with pilgrims from Italy, Gaul, Hungary, and Germany (Glaber, History 3:1). The noblemen began to flock towards the "Savior's Tomb" as the greatest congregation of the Holy City was taking place (Glaber, History 3:1).
However, as the appointed time in 1033 approached and passed, the skies remained unchanged, and the earth did not tremble with the arrival of the Messiah. Disappointment mingled with disbelief as the realization dawned that the long-awaited event had not come to pass. For many, it was a moment of profound disillusionment, a test of faith in the face of unfulfilled expectations.
Second Coming of Christ, tympanum of the central portal of the west
Amid the disappointment, some found solace in the shared pilgrimage experience, in the bonds forged through devotion and community. Though the Second Coming had not occurred as anticipated, the gathering in Jerusalem had served to reaffirm their faith and strengthen their resolve in the face of uncertainty.
In the centuries that followed, the congregation of 1033 would be remembered as a testament to the enduring power of hope and belief, even in the face of disappointment. It would serve as a reminder that faith is not defined by the fulfillment of prophecy but by the steadfastness of the human spirit in its quest for transcendence.
Today, the memory of that great gathering lives on in Christian history, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the profound impact of shared belief. And though the Second Coming may remain an unfulfilled promise, the spirit of anticipation and hope that filled the streets of Jerusalem in 1033 continues to inspire believers around the world to this day.
Works cited:
picture#1:
The Second Coming of Christ. MS. illumination, ca. 750-760. JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.18110023. Accessed 29 Feb. 2024.
Armstrong, Karen. Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths. 1st Ballantine Books ed. New York, Ballantine Books, 1997.
Glaber, History 3:1 (his name is Raoul Glaber, but could not find his book in the bibliography)
Revelation 20:1-3
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