Ἀποκάλυψισ en ἀποκαλύπτω as wederkomswoorde in die Nuwe Testament

Abstract

Ἀποκάλυψισ and ἀποκαλύπτω as words denoting the second coming in the New Testament. Several Greek words are used in the New Testament to denote the second coming of Christ. None of these words can be translated as ‘second coming’. Two of these words are ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω. This article departed from the viewpoint that God has a telos [purpose] for revealing that Jesus is coming again. Questions arise whether these words, denoting the second coming, can be treated as exact synonyms or whether there are differences in nuance in the meaning of these words. This article is a step in the process to answer these questions. A word study of the concepts ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω was done and it was investigated how these terms for the second coming of Christ are used in the New Testament. Furthermore, the telos of the revelation regarding the ἀποκάλυψις of Christ in the relevant chapters of Scripture was determined. This is a question that is seldom addressed. For the word study, diachronic and synchronic methods were used. The development of ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω into suitable words for denoting the second coming was thus tracked from the Old to the New Testament. For the determination of the use of ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω in the New Testament, as well as for the determination of the telos of the revelation regarding the second coming, exegesis was conducted in the revelation-historical tradition. The result was an original definition of the meaning of ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω as used in various contexts: ‘It is the triune God’s final revelation of himself in Jesus Christ at his second coming, in glory, in order to fully reveal, fulfil and realise his Word, his master plan, his covenant and his promises and to be in eternal fellowship with his children.’ The telos for the revelation of the ἀποκάλυψις of Christ was determined as warning believers to be prepared, encouraging and comforting them in afflictions and suffering. A theological definition of the meaning of ἀποκάλυψις provides a handy tool for exegetes. Foreknowledge of the telos of the revelation regarding the ἀποκάλυψις could guide exegetes in their endeavours.

Contribution: An original theological definition of the meaning of ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω was provided and the telos of the revelation regarding ἀποκάλυψις and ἀποκαλύπτω was determined as warning believers to be prepared, encouraging and comforting them in afflictions and suffering.