Part One
No. 755
“Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.” (Matt. 24:42, ASV)
The Greek New Testament uses three words in relation to the Lord’s Second Advent: parousia, epiphaneia and apokalypsis. The word parousia is generally used with respect to the earliest stage of the Second Advent, although it really applies to the entire Millennial Age. Epiphaneia and apokalypsis relate to a later stage of the Second Advent and not to another or third advent. Epiphaneia and apokalypsis are not two different features of the Second Advent, but two different words used to describe the same feature. All of these Greek words are somewhat obscure or hidden in our common translations of the Bible, and undoubtedly for a purpose. The Lord evidently wished to keep the world and the wicked in ignorance of His gracious plan until the due time for it to be understood.
The Lord instructed His people to watch: “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all [believers], Watch.” (Mark 13:35-37) [1] He did not wish the details of His plan to be understood even by His people until near the time of their fulfilment. But we are now in “the time of the end,” the time when it was foretold that “the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:9-10) The “wise” are not the worldly-wise, but the humble watchers who are wise enough to take heed to the Word of the Lord.
Since few of the watchers are Greek scholars, God has made gracious provision through valuable helps such as concordances and various translations such as the Emphatic Diaglott, enabling the very humblest of His people to have a clear understanding of certain features of His Word before kept hidden under imperfect translations. God Himself has been bringing these things to the attention of His people through the Studies in the Scriptures and other publications.
With these aids, the watchers have come to see that the Greek word parousia, commonly translated “coming,” does not mean what our English word signifies – namely, to be on the way or approaching. On the contrary, it signifies presence, as of one who has already arrived. The watchers note also that the Scriptures assert certain things concerning the Lord and His parousia (His presence) which clearly imply that He will be present and doing His work, His great work of setting up His Kingdom and smiting the nations with the sword of His mouth, wholly unknown to the world, as a “thief in the night.” The watchers also notice that the Scriptures clearly indicate that after the Lord has done certain things during His presence (parousia) and unknown to the world, He will later make a manifestation of His presence which will be discerned by all mankind. This outward manifestation is designated as His epiphaneia, which signifies “shining forth” or “bright shining.”
As already noted, the word parousia does not apply merely to a little period of presence at the beginning of the Millennial Age. Christ’s parousia and that of His Church will continue throughout the age. The epiphaneia or apokalypsis will also not be a sudden burst of glorious light, nor do any of these words signify a visible showing to mankind of the Lord’s person, or of the persons of His Church. Let us remember His words, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more.” (John 14:19)
PAROUSIA IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Greek word parousia occurs in the New Testament 24 times. In the King James Version it is translated “coming” 22 times and two times it is translated “presence.” For a more consistently proper translation, we cite here from Young’s Literal Translation (YLT). We suggest also comparing the Rotherham and Emphatic Diaglott translations.
“Tell us, when shall these be? and what is the sign of thy presence [parousia], and of the full end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3, YLT)
“So shall be also the presence [parousia] of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:27, 37, 39, YLT)
“And each in his proper order, a first-fruit Christ, afterwards those who are the Christ’s, in his presence [parousia].” (1 Cor. 15:23, YLT)
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus Christ in his presence [parousia]?” (1 Thess. 2:19, YLT)
“To the establishing your hearts blameless in sanctification before our God and Father, in the presence [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thess. 3:13, YLT)
“For this to you we say in the word of the Lord, that we who are living – who do remain over to the presence [parousia] of the Lord – may not precede those asleep.” (1 Thess. 4:15, YLT)
“And the God of the peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved unblameably in the presence [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23, YLT)
“And we ask you, brethren, in regard to the presence [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him.” (2 Thess. 2:1, YLT)
“And then shall be revealed the Lawless One, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the manifestation of his presence [parousia], him [the Lord], whose presence [parousia] is according to [is during] the working of the Adversary, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders.” (2 Thess. 2:8-9, YLT)
“Be patient, then, brethren, till the presence [parousia] of the Lord . . . be patient, ye also; establish your hearts, because the presence [parousia] of the Lord hath drawn nigh.” (Jas. 5:7-8, YLT)
“For, skilfully devised fables not having followed out, we did make known to you the power and presence [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ, but eye-witnesses having become of his majesty.” (2 Pet. 1:16, YLT)
“This first knowing, that there shall come in the latter end of the days scoffers [in the nominal church], according to their own desires going on, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his presence [parousia]?’” (2 Pet. 3:3-4, YLT)
“And now, little children, remain in him, that when he may be manifested, we may have boldness, and may not be ashamed before him, in his presence [parousia].” (1 John 2:28, YLT)
Seven other verses use parousia in reference to persons or things other than Christ. Five instances incorrectly translate it “coming” in the KJV. (1 Cor. 16:17; 2 Cor. 7:6-7; Phil. 1:26; 2 Pet. 3:12) The two instances where the KJV properly translates the word parousia as “presence” are in 2 Cor. 10:10 and Phil. 2:12.
EPIPHANEIA AND APOKALYPSIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Greek word epiphaneia occurs in the New Testament six times. In the King James Version it is translated five times as “appearing” and one time as “brightness.” It signifies “bright shining” or “manifestation.” We again cite Young’s Literal Translation:
“I charge thee, before God, who is making all things alive, and of Christ Jesus, who did testify before Pontius Pilate the right profession, that thou keep the command unspotted, unblameable, till the manifestation [epiphaneia] of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in His own times He shall shew – the blessed and only potentate, the King of the kings and Lord of the lords.” (1 Tim. 6:13-15, YLT)
“And was made manifest now through the manifestation [epiphaneia] of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who indeed did abolish death, and did enlighten life and immortality through the good news.” (2 Tim. 1:10, YLT)
“I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation [epiphaneia] and his reign.” (2 Tim. 4:1, YLT)
“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of the righteousness that the Lord – the Righteous Judge – shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving his manifestation [epiphaneia].” (2 Tim. 4:8, YLT)
“Waiting for the blessed hope and manifestation [epiphaneia] of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13, YLT)
“And then shall be revealed the Lawless One, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the manifestation [epiphaneia] of his presence [parousia].” (2 Thess. 2:8, YLT)
The name of the last book of the Bible is from the Greek word apokalypsis – Apocalypse or Revelation. This word and the related word apokalypto signify a revealing, an uncovering – as of a thing previously present but hidden – and refer to the same stage of the Lord’s Second Advent as epiphaneia. In the following texts these words refer to the uncovering or revealing to the world of the Lord’s second presence. Many of these texts also show that when He is revealed, His Church will be with Him and be revealed or manifested at the same time and in the same manner:
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed [apokalypto] in us.” (Rom. 8:18)
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed [apokalypsis], ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Pet. 4:13)
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed [apokalypto] in the last time.” (1 Pet. 1:4-5)
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed [apokalypto].” (1 Pet. 5:1)
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed [apokalypto] by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor. 3:13) This verse evidently refers to the tests of the Lord’s people during the period of His presence in the end of the age. The Lord prophesied of the same tests: “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed [apokalypto]; neither hid, that shall not be known.” (Luke 12:2)
“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 [apokalypsis] of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13)
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed [apokalypsis] from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:7-8) The flaming fire here represents the judgments that will be made against all unrighteousness.
“So that ye are not behind in any gift, waiting for the revelation [apokalypsis – translated ‘coming’ in the KJV] of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:7, YLT) The Lord’s people need to watch and wait for the manifestation or revelation of the Lord. Those watching are aware of His presence (parousia) and the harvest work beforehand and share in the revelation.
“That the proof of your faith – much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved – may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation [apokalypsis –translated ‘appearing’ in the KJV] of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:7, YLT)
“For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation – mankind] waiteth for the manifestation [apokalypsis] of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19) The Church (the sons of God) will bring life and liberty to the groaning creation through the New Covenant.
“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed [apokalypto].” (Luke 17:29-30) The judgments upon Christendom (represented by Sodom – Rev. 11:8) will begin after the saints have all been changed. The presence of the Lord will be revealed, although He had already been present for some time, gathering His elect.
PAROUSIA AND EPIPHANY ARE SEPARATE THOUGHTS
Hereafter we will use the term “Parousia” to refer to the thought of our Lord’s presence during His Second Advent and the term “Epiphany” to refer to the thought of His manifestation or revelation at His Second Advent. It is important that those watching keep separate these two thoughts of presence and manifestation. Although really present as a glorious spirit being of the divine nature, the Lord will not be manifest to the natural eye during the Parousia. Hence it is necessary that the Lord’s faithful ones “watch” because they, like the world, cannot discern a spirit being with their natural eyes. The watchers only discern the presence (Parousia) of their Lord by the eye of faith. The sleepless eye of faith will in due time take note of “the sign of the Son of man” – the indications of the presence of the King. (Matt. 24:30)
The work of the Lord during the period of the Parousia preceding the Epiphany has been unknown to the world and to the nominal church. It is known only to those watching: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Pet. 1:19) That light has shone upon the pathway of the watchers throughout the Gospel Age night; but now its various prophetic rays have focused and clearly indicate that we are already living in the Parousia. As the Master expressly foretold, the world in general goes on as usual, in utter ignorance of His presence and of His harvest work and of the beginning of “the day of the Lord.” The world continues as usual – eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, planting and building as in the days of Noah. (1 Thess. 5:2; Matt. 24:37-39)
It is a mistake to suppose that our Lord meant that it is wicked for the world to eat, drink, plant, build and marry; these are not improper things. Any such interpretation is strained and faulty and is the result of an utter misconception of the subject. Our Lord merely wished to show that the world would be ignorant of His presence and utterly ignorant of the great time of trouble, or “day of vengeance” which the inauguration of His Kingdom will bring to the kingdoms of this world, which are to be dashed to pieces as “the vessels of a potter.” (Isa. 61:2; Rev. 2:27)
The ignorance of the impending trouble is similar to that of the people who lived in the days of Noah: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17:26) The days of the Son of Man are the days of His Parousia – invisible and unknown to the world – known only to the watchers who see only with the eye of faith. (For more on this topic, see our paper No. 753, May 2020.) But what is the purpose for our Lord being thus present? What will be His work during the period of presence preceding His Epiphany or manifestation to the world?
PARABLES FORESHADOWED THE LORD’S WORK
A number of the Lord’s parables clearly outline His work during this period. The parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) represents the period of the Parousia preceding the Epiphany as the “harvest” time of the Gospel Age. The Son of Man, represented by the householder of the parable, sowed the good seed and His servants have worked in the field throughout the age. When the end of the age finally comes and the full crop of wheat is ripe, then the harvest is reaped.
The parable shows the separation of the two classes of the nominal church during the “harvest.” Note that the wheat field is not the entire world, but merely the professedly Christian part of the world – Christendom. The parable focuses on the wheat field and on the wheat in particular. The tares (spurious Christians) are dealt with only incidentally. The tares choke the wheat but nevertheless the Master will obtain a sufficiently large crop, for all God’s purposes will be accomplished. (Isa. 55:11)
The separation of the tares from the wheat and the gathering of the wheat into the garner of heavenly conditions precedes the work of cleansing the wheat-field of its symbolic tares by symbolic “fire.” This entire harvest work is to take place during the period of the Parousia or presence of our Lord before His Epiphany or manifestation. He is the Chief-Reaper, and all the under-reapers work under His direction and eye; and every kernel of true symbolic “wheat” will be gathered into the glorious symbolic “garner” by resurrection and change.
The sickle of truth will be the separating medium. It will not be until the separation is nearly complete and the “wheat” nearly all garnered into the “barn” (the glory of the heavenly nature) that the “fire” (the great time of trouble mentioned by the Prophet Daniel and by our Lord) will burn and symbolically consume all the “tares.” Thereafter none will make false professions of being Christians while really being of the world and possessed of its spirit. (Rev. 14:14-19)
The parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11-27) and the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) are companion parables that also depict the Parousia. (See our paper No. 737, January 2019 for a more complete discussion of these two parables.) In both of these the Lord represents Himself as a great nobleman and heir to a throne, who went to a far country to be invested with kingly powers and then returned to use those powers. Upon departing, he left various riches under the stewardship of his servants. Upon his return as king, his first work was not to deal with enemies – those who resisted his reign over them. His first act was to call his servants before him to judge their stewardship over the riches he had left with them.
The return of the nobleman in the two parables unquestionably represents the Second Advent of our Lord and Master. As illustrated by these parables, He does not first deal with the rebellious world – those who would not have Him to rule over them. He instead first calls His own servants and reckons with them – rejecting some from further service because of unfaithfulness, and accepting others to a participation in the joys of the Kingdom, which He at once establishes. The nobleman’s reckoning first with his servants signifies that after His return the Lord will reckon first with the Church; it corresponds to the separating of the wheat and tares in the first parable.
This part of the Lord’s work at His Second Advent precedes the Epiphany or manifestation to the world. The world is to be in total ignorance of this period of Christ’s presence and this feature of His work until the reckoning with His servants and the glorification of the faithful is finished. The judgment of the world will then begin with a time of trouble (Dan. 12:1) symbolically pictured as a fire in the parable of the wheat and the tares. (Matt. 13:42) As we have seen, the Apostle informs us that our Lord will be revealed or made manifest (apokalypsis) in flaming fire (judgments), taking vengeance. (2 Thess. 1:7-8)
The world would not go on in its usual routine (eating, drinking, planting, building, marrying, etc.) if they knew of the Lord’s presence and the progress of the “harvest” of the Gospel Age. They would change their usual order of affairs considerably and be in great fear if they knew that the next thing in order would be judgments upon themselves, the beginning of the day of the Lord, which is to be to them “the day of vengeance.” (Isa. 61:2) Very evidently, therefore, this reckoning with the Church and the reward of the faithful will precede our Lord’s apokalypsis, or revealing.
NOT A THIRD ADVENT
However, we are not to understand that the Lord will take the Church away to heaven and then come back again to make His epiphaneia or apokalypsis; for that would be a third advent, which is nowhere even hinted at in the Scriptures. The change of the Church to the spirit nature will occur first and then Christ and the Church, His bride, having become one in nature will commence the work of bringing all things into subjection to the heavenly Kingdom, the Millennial Kingdom. Our Lord and His Church will not be absent from the earth during the period of the world’s tribulation. They will be present but invisible, bringing upon the world the tribulation foretold in the Scriptures. The result will be the humbling of the hearts of mankind so that eventually all will say, “Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain [Kingdom] of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” (Isa. 2:3)
This fact is abundantly proven by the Lord’s own words: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I have received of my Father.” (Rev. 2:26-27) The Prophet David affirms this power of the overcomers: “To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.” (Psa. 149:7-9)
The majority of the faithful members of the body of Christ will have gone beyond the vail before the trouble, but others may remain in the flesh for a time, to serve further on this side the vail. It is true that our Lord said, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36) We cannot be too certain which way He meant that they could escape. They might escape by avoidance of the trouble, or by being shielded from feeling its worst effects.
PROOFS OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE
Many will doubtless be surprised to learn there is much scriptural proof that we are already in the Parousia, the time of the presence of the Son of Man. Peter foretold that “scoffers” would question this, saying, “‘Where is the promise of his presence [parousia]?” (2 Pet. 3:3-4, YLT) Our Lord’s own declaration, as we have already pointed out, answers the question. He stated that in the days of His presence the world would be eating, drinking, planting and building, and would not know of His presence. It could not be more explicit.
But what are the proofs of Christ’s presence? This is a reasonable inquiry. Even though we know that He is a spirit being whose presence would be invisible, we would not be justified in believing that the Lord is present without solid evidence. We have a right to expect clear, reasonable grounds for faith before accepting any matter which implies so much. We are not, however, to ask or to expect evidences to our natural sight: the eyes of our understanding must also be the eyes of our faith. (Eph. 1:18) We can expect reasonable, satisfactory evidence for our faith but we cannot expect visible demonstrations of an invisible Parousia. As the Apostle explains: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)
As the angel explained to the Prophet Daniel, the entire matter was to be hidden from the world: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. . . . Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:4, 10) The “wise” were to only understand at the due time – “the time of the end.”
This and other general prophecies offer clues that we are living in about the time of the Master’s second presence. However, there are specific prophecies that prove that our Lord’s Parousia began in the autumn of 1874. While somewhat hidden, there are several clear and positive lines of prophecy which interlace and corroborate each other in this testimony. We have seen nothing with our natural eyes – only with the eyes of our understanding, only in the light of the “more sure word of prophecy.” (2 Pet. 1:19)
Although space will not permit us to give a complete and comprehensive statement of these prophecies, we will summarize four of these prophetic lines in our next paper. A comprehensive study of these prophecies is presented in Studies in the Scriptures, Volumes I-V. We leave it for true watchers to use the keys which God has provided if they are interested in penetrating into the “deep things” of the divine Word now due to be understood.
(Based on Reprint 2972. To be continued in our August 2020 paper.)
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LETTER FROM A DEAR SISTER
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Thanking you for checking on me and my family. We are safe under the wings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My daughter is a nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital. We are seeing daily the fulfillment of the Bible. We are “Rejoicing in Tribulation.”
Christian love to all,
Your Sister by His Grace . . . . . (New York) (Written May 7, 2020)
Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com
[1] Quotations are from the King James Version (KJV) unless otherwise noted.