Other Greek Words, Part 4: Phaneroo

In today's post, I'd like to finish up our study of Greek words by looking at phaneroo. This word means to reveal or to manifest. It is often used as a synonym for the word apokalupsis.

Phaneroo indicates Christ's "appearance in the world."



1st Advent

To gain an understanding of how this word is used in the New Testament, let's look at a few verses detailing the First Coming of Christ as a babe in a manger.

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:26)

"Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," (I Peter 1:20)

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3:5)

Just a quick reading of these verses shows that the basic idea of phaneroo is Christ coming in the flesh. He is visible to all. He is seen by all.

Now let's look at a few verses connected with Christ's Second Coming.



2nd Advent

"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:4)

The next time that Christ comes in the flesh, believers will receive their rewards! (Isn't that the same teaching that we found with parousia, epiphany, and apokalupsis?)

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)

We don't get our glorified bodies until the Revelation, the Manifestation, of Christ. We appear "with" him in glory. He is also appearing "in glory," and we are appearing "with" him.


"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." (I John 2:28)

Why doesn't John talk to his 'little children' about the Rapture? Why does he point them to the Revelation instead?


"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (I John 3:2)

When do we become like Christ? When he is REVEALED, MANIFESTED.

At his phaneroo!


To summarize, the phaneroo of Christ consists of:

1. Christ appearing in the flesh
2. Christ appearing in glory
3. Christians becoming like Christ
   
4. Christians appearing in glory
5. Christians receiving crowns of glory

This is the Rapture AT the Revelation. It can be nothing else.



Conclusion

The parousia, the epiphany, the apokalupsis, and phaneroo of Christ all synchronize at one great crisis on the “last day.”

The Resurrection (the blessed hope), the Rapture, the trump of God, the gathering of saints, the rewarding of saints, the destruction of ungodly men and the destruction of the Antichrist all occur on the same day— the “great day of God Almighty.”

This is not what the pre-Tribulation Rapture teaches, but it is what Paul and the apostles taught.

Other Greek Words, Part 3: Apokalupsis

The Greek word apokalupsis refers to Christ’s ‘Revelation.’ It means a revealing, a disclosing, or a manifesting. Indeed, the book of Revelation is sometimes called the Apocalypse.

When is Christ’s apocalypse? Is it at his epiphany (his bright coming)? At his parousia (his arrival to be present with)? Or, are they all just different descriptive words of the same event?

Again, let's look at what the Bible says.

II Thessalonians 1:7-10

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed [apokalupsis] from heaven with his mighty angels,”

In this verse, Paul expressly declares that the Christian will enter into rest when Christ is revealed from heaven.

To put it another way: It is at the Revelation of Jesus Christ, that the believer will enter into rest. (Not at a pre-Tribulation Rapture!)

Also, look at verse 10, “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe…”

Christ is not glorified in his saints until the Revelation. This is the SAME time that his saints enter into rest. It is also the same time as his apocalypse!

I Corinthians 1:7

We have seen that saints are to be waiting and looking for both the parousia and the epiphany, but what about the apokalupsis?

“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming [apokalupsis] of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Are you waiting for the Revelation? Or the Rapture? Paul was waiting for both!

This is not a contradiction because the parousia, the epiphany and the apokalupsis are all at the same time!

I Peter 1:7

We have seen that the believer receives rewards at the epiphany (the appearing), but what about at the apokalupsis (the revelation)?

“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 [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ:”

The believer’s faith during trials is rewarded with “praise and honour” at the Revelation.

There is NO reward ceremony following a pre-Tribulation Rapture anywhere in the New Testament. Rewards are always connected with the glorious Second Coming.

I Peter 1:13

“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 [apokalusis] of Jesus Christ;”

What would be the significance of this, if born again (1:23) believers had received grace at the parousia seven years earlier? According to the pre-Tribulation scenario, believers receive their new bodies about seven years before they receive the grace that Peter is talking about!

No, this is a reference to the grace of glorification (i.e., new bodies) that is always connected to the Blessed Hope of Christ's return.

As with epiphany and parousia, apokalupsis refers to a great, singular event at the end of this age. An event that is comprised of the resurrection and rewarding of believers, and the coming of Christ in glory with his angels.

The Rapture is AT the Revelation.