Key Terms Related to Christ's Second Coming

Introduction

When we study the Second Coming of Christ, there are various words used in the New Testament that are directly related to this great advent. In Greek, the words are “parousia, apokalupsis, and ephiphaneia.” Each of these are used in a general sense and are descriptive of the Rapture and second return of Christ.

Parousia

This is the word that is most frequently used in Scripture describing the return of Christ. It occurs 24 times in the New Testament. In Greek, it is a compound word composed of a preposition and a verb. The preposition is, in English, the word “with.” The verb is the Greek word for a being verb. Thus, it simply means to “to be with.” The connotation is to be present with someone or something. Our English word “presence” encapsulates all that the word “parousia” means. However, over time, “parousia” has come to mean not simply “presence” but the act by which the presence is brought about, for example, by the COMING of the individual.

Here are few examples of how “parousia” is used in the New Testament.

1 Corinthians 16:17 (KJV 1900)

17 I am glad of the coming [“parousia”] of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

2 Corinthians 7:6–7 (KJV 1900)

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming [“parousia”] of Titus;

7 And not by his coming [“parousia”] only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Philippians 1:26 (KJV 1900)

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming [“parousia”] to you again.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Even him, whose coming [“parousia”] is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Peter 3:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming [“parousia”] of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

In the few verses given, we must note that “parousia” is used in a very general sense.

It is often used in conjunction with the Rapture of the Local Church.

Note the following examples of how “parousia” is used in the context of the Rapture.

1 Corinthians 15:23 (KJV 1900)

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 (KJV 1900)

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Thessalonians 4:15 (KJV 1900)

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV 1900)

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

James 5:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

2 Peter 3:4 (KJV 1900)

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

1 John 2:28 (KJV 1900)

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

The word “parousia” is also used of Christ Second Coming when Christ sets foot on the earth again and brings us back with Him.

Matthew 24:3 (KJV 1900)

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matthew 24:27 (KJV 1900)

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:37 (KJV 1900)

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:39 (KJV 1900)

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (KJV 1900)

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV 1900)

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2 Peter 1:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

We can conclude then from the use of “parousia” that is word is alway used in the general sense of someone’s arrival and/or the manner in which they arrived.

The next word of importance concerning end times is the word...

APOKALUPSIS

This word occurs 18 times as a noun and 26 times in the form of a verb. Again, it is compound word consisting of the word “apo” and “kalupto.” “Kalupto” is the main word meaning “to cover” or “to veil.” However, when coupled with the word “apo” which is the same as our prefix “un” it changes to mean “to uncover” or “to unveil.” Thus, we have the equivalent to our English word “reveal.”

Again, note usage of “apokalupsis” in the relation to Christ’s Second Coming.

1 Peter 4:13 (KJV 1900)

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Luke 17:30 (KJV 1900)

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

This word “apokalupsis” is also used in connection with the Rapture of the Local Church.

1 Corinthians 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 3:4 (KJV 1900)

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:13 (KJV 1900)

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

In each case, this word emphasizes the future manifestation (revelation) of Christ’s glory in both the Rapture as well as His Second Coming.

The third word that is critical to our study of future events in the Bible is the word...

EPIPHANEIA

Once again this is a compound Greek word consisting of the preposition “epi” and the word “phanes.” The root word, “phanes,” means to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, to show. However, the addition of the preposition, “epi.” intensifies the meaning. Note how it is used in these two examples.

Luke 1:79 (KJV 1900)

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.

2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV 1900)

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

When used in conjunction with the Lord’s return, there are two instances where it refers to the Rapture of the Local Church and two instances where it refers to the Second Coming of Christ.

1 Timothy 6:14 (KJV 1900)

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:1 (KJV 1900)

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Titus 2:13 (KJV 1900)

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Conclusion

Why are these three words so important? Each of them give us three great facts about Christ’s return both at the time of the Rapture as well as His Second Advent. Christ will be visible present (parousia), His glory will be full revealed (apokalupsis), and He Himself will be fully manifested (epiphaneia).

Now, here is one last thing we need to put to rest. The word “rapture” is NOT found in Scripture. However, the concept of a Rapture is there. The word “rapture” comes from the Latin word “rapere” which was used in the Vulgate. The Vulgate is a late 4th century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of Jerome who, in 382, was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Pope Damasus 1 to revise the Vetus Latina Gospels used by the Roman Church at that time. The Latin word “rapere” was used to translate the Greek word “harpazein” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV 1900

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

“Rapere” simply means the same which is “to be caught up, snatched up, or seized.” Thus, we have the word “rapture” (English equivalent to the Latin word “rapere”) as the term describing when we “which are alive and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds.”

NOTE: I have seen many argue against the Rapture. However, all their arguments are baseless arguments that simply ignore the entire teaching of 1 Thessalonians 4. Either you accept the teaching of 1 Thessalonians 4, which, by the way, is part of Scripture authored by the Holy Spirit who is God or you reject it. I, for one, accept it since to reject it is to take away from Scripture.

Revelation 22:19 KJV 1900

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.