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Middle Coming The Middle Coming (Latin: Adventus medius) is a concept in Christian mystical theology introduced by Bernard of Clairvaux, based on John 14. The idea was coined in the monk's third sermon of Advent, in which Bernard elaborates on the "three Advents of the Lord", namely that "to men, in men and against men". In his fifth sermon, the author explicitly develops the Middle Coming concept.[1] Bernard also calls it the Third Coming, despite it being chronologically previous to the Second Coming. The mystic stresses that, despite the First and the Second Coming would be evident to all of mankind, most people remain "asleep" during the Third.[2] The Middle Coming implies a "spiritual" awakening only perceived by the elect, in which Jesus interacts personally with the mystic in order to give him salvation, rest and consolation, and as a link between the First and the Last one.[3] Bernard presents the concept by arguing that
And that
 The Middle Coming refers to the interior and hidden experience of the mystic, and is not an end but a mean of preparation to the Second.[5] The coming of God the Son to the human soul through the mystical experience has the transformation of the sinner's soul as a main goal, renewing the mystic's spirit and making it more in the image of God.[6] The Middle Coming is commonly associated with Catholic sacramental theology, particularly regarding the Baptism and the Eucharist.[4] References
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