EPIPHANY! I found my Blessed Hope.

[Rose]

What was the 'Blessed Hope' that Paul was looking for? Many Futurists use this verse as a foundational verse for Christ’s 'second' coming, but is it really saying what they think it says? :Investigate:
Titus 2:12-13 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for (anticipating [ prosdechomai]) that blessed hope [elpis], and the glorious appearing (shinning [epiphaneia]) of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

First let us look at exactly what Paul is saying in his Epistle to Titus. Starting at the beginning of Paul’s Epistle we find where he defines for us what he means by our 'Hope'.
Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope [elpis] of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

The 'Hope' that is promised is eternal life, and that eternal life is our 'Blessed Hope' given to us by Jesus Christ who Paul was anticipating to behold, as the Glorious shinning [epiphaneia] of our Great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s very interesting to note that the word translated as appearing in the KJV, is the Greek word meaning 'epiphany' which we understand in English to mean 'a sudden illumination of something'. Paul uses the same word in 2 Thessalonians:
2 Thess. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness [epiphaneia] of his coming.

From the context in 2 Thessalonians it is easy to see the word epiphaneia used in a form we are more familiar with, which is that of illumination, and brightness. So now if we walk through Titus 2:12-13 with that in mind, it could read something like this:

Paul is exhorting his brethren and telling them that the salvation of Christ has taught them to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ….then he goes on to say that he is anticipating his blessed hope, which is eternal life when he will behold the glorious illumination of the Great God, and also our Savior Jesus Christ.

What a glorious epiphany it will be for each one of us, when we see Jesus face to face! :sunny:

Many blessings

Rose

[Richard Amiel McGough]

What was the “Blessed Hope” that Paul was looking for? Many Futurists use this verse as a foundational verse for Christ’s “second” coming, but is it really saying what they think it says? :Investigate:
Titus 2:12-13 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for (anticipating [ prosdechomai]) that blessed hope [elpis], and the glorious appearing (shinning [epiphaneia]) of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
First let us look at exactly what Paul is saying in his Epistle to Titus. Starting at the beginning of Paul’s Epistle we find where he defines for us what he means by our “Hope”.
Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope [elpis] of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
The “Hope” that is promised is eternal life, and that eternal life is our “Blessed Hope” given to us by Jesus Christ who Paul was anticipating to behold, as the Glorious shinning [epiphaneia] of our Great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s very interesting to note that the word translated as appearing in the KJV, is the Greek word meaning “epiphany” which we understand in English to mean “a sudden illumination of something”. Paul uses the same word in 2 Thessalonians:
2 Thess. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness [epiphaneia] of his coming.

From the context in 2 Thessalonians it is easy to see the word epiphaneia used in a form we are more familiar with, which is that of illumination, and brightness. So now if we walk through Titus 2:12-13 with that in mind, it could read something like this:

Paul is exhorting his brethren and telling them that the salvation of Christ has taught them to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ….then he goes on to say that he is anticipating his blessed hope, which is eternal life when he will behold the glorious illumination of the Great God, and also our Savior Jesus Christ.

What a glorious epiphany it will be for each one of us, when we see Jesus face to face! :sunny:

Many blessings

Rose


That is a true epiphany my dear! :flowers:

It coheres with everything the Bible declares about Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. I find it extremely compelling that Paul bracketed his statement about the Blessed Hope (which we have in the epiphane of Jesus Christ) both before and after with the definition of what our hope really is:
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ephipany of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Now we know the real meaning of the Blessed Hope! It is the hope of every Christian who has ever lived! It is the hope of entering into eternal life where we will see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!

It is very significant that Paul used the verb form of epiphany just two verses earlier:
Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared (epiphano) to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing (epiphane) of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The "epiphany" of Jesus Christ occurred in His first advent. This is why the Great Day of the Lord is called the "Day of the Lord - Great and Epiphanes"! Here is Young's Literal Translation:
YLT Acts 2:20 the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the day of the Lord -- the great and illustrious (epiphanes);
There is much, much, much more to say. :talk005: This one little word has burst open the Scriptures to reveal the fundamental message of the Gospel!

Richard

[Victor]

Wondrous insights, Rose and Richard! Such an epiphany to understand how "epiphany" appears in Scripture!

[Rose]

Another good example of how the translation of the Greek word epiphaneia using the English word appearing has lead to misunderstandings of the interpretation, is in 2 Timothy.


2 Tim. 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing [epiphaneia] of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

2 Tim. 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing [epiphaneia] and his kingdom;…..6) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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 [epiphaneia].


2 Tim. 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [sozo = save] me for his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Reading the above verses and using a more appropriate English word to translate epiphaneia reveals a clearer understanding of what Paul is saying. From the context we know that Paul is telling us that his death is at hand, but he says that he has fought the fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. Paul says that there is a crown of righteousness waiting for him in the heavenly kingdom, which he shall receive when he goes to be with the Lord after his death, and Paul says he will not be the only one who receives a "crown of righteousness", but everyone who loves the epiphany of Christ when they enter His kingdom.


God Bless,

Rose