Posted by Lynn on 3/21/2007, 4:56 pm The word "epiphaneia"- a shining forth or brightness, is the exclusive word used 5 times to describe our hope in the prison epistles, i.e. His appearing. His coming is mentioned 16 times using either the word "parousia" or "apokalupsis". It is found in New Testament books written before the end of Acts. When He returns, He of course must "appear". When 2 Thess 2:8 was written (the only time "epiphaneia" is used to describe the coming), the hope of eternal life in heavenly places was still a secret. There are numerous mentions of the signs of His coming in the previous dispensation. There is not a whisper of it in the books written to us. I have looked up every occurrence of Apokalupsis (unveiling, revelation. manifestation), parousia (coming), and Epiphaneia (appearing, brightness, or shining forth). The separation of His “coming” described in the books during the Acts period, and His “appearing” in Paul's last 7 books is quite pronounced to anyone who has searched it out. One could point to Epiphaneia in 2 Thes 2:8, but first consider that it is not used to replace parousia but to better characterize it. In other words, His “coming” is a “shining forth” but that does not mean that it is THE “shining forth” or “appearing” that we look for in our hope. Seeing 13 uses of parousias during the Acts period and 5 epiphaneias written to us is certainly not a division that immediately crumbles away simply because of how epiphaneia is used for a specific purpose in 2 Thes 2:8. Let’s not fail to see the forest because of that one tree. Let’s not fail to see a dividing wall simply because there is a small window built into it. The “shining forth” or of His coming will not have as great a measure of “shining forth” as there will be in His appearing. I say this not only because “Epiphaneia” is used much more frequently to describe His appearing in heavenly places, but also because no fleshly eyes can behold the great glory of Christ Jesus as He really is! “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exod 33:20) One hope is earthly and one is in the heaven of heavens. I’m sure that we all appreciate that great difference. Is it a surprise that "shining forth" is used 5 times to describe the hope of the high calling? What do scriptures say about the time of His appearing? Only this: “…until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in His times he shall shew… (1Ti 6:14-15). We are only told that it will be “in His times.” Lynn
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I believe that Christ's appearing and Christ's coming are two separate events.
