Apocalypse the Word Apocalypse Comes

Apocalypse

The word "apocalypse" comes from the Greek word "apocalupsis." This Greek word means "revealing, disclosure, to take off the cover." The Book of Revelations in the Bible is sometimes referred to as the "Apocalypse of John" because it is God revealing information about the end times to the Apostle John. Furthermore, the Greek word for apocalypse is the very first word in the Greek text of the Book of Revelation. The phrase "apocalyptic literature" is used to describe the use of symbolism, imagery, and numerals to depict future events. Outside of the book of Revelations, other examples of apocalyptic literature in the Bible are found in Daniel chapters 7-12, Isaiah chapters 24-27, Ezekiel chapters 37-41, and Zechariah chapters 9-12.

Why was apocalyptic literature written with such symbolism and imagery? The answer is because the apocalyptic books of the Bible were written when it was important to disguise the important message using images and symbolism rather than give the message in plain, everyday language. The symbolism created a sense of mystery about the details of the time and place of the end. The purpose of such symbolism, however, was not to cause confusion and frustration, but rather to instruct and encourage followers of God during difficult times. (Benware)

Beyond the Biblical meaning, the term "apocalypse" is often used to refer to the end times in general, or to the END-end times events specifically. End times events such as the Second Coming of Christ and the Battle of Armageddon are often referred to as the apocalypse. The apocalypse will be the ultimate revealing of God, His wrath, His justice, and then ultimately His love. Jesus Christ is the supreme "apocalypse" of God, as He revealed God to us (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:2).

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of everything, and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a small baby in a manager in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not, as of yet, fulfilled. The Second Coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering servant. In His Second Coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His Second Coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of Heaven at His side. (Cline)

The Old Testament Prophets did not make this distinction between the two comings. This can be seen in Scriptures such as Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; and Zechariah 14:4. As a result of the prophecies seeming to speak of two individuals, many Jewish scholars believed there would be both a suffering Messiah and a conquering Messiah. What they failed to understand is that the same Messiah would fulfill both roles. Jesus fulfilled the role of the suffering servant (Isaiah chapter 53) in His first coming. Jesus will fulfill the role of Israel's deliverer and King in His Second Coming. Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7, describing the Second Coming, look back to Jesus being pierced. Israel, and the whole world, will mourn for not having accepted the Messiah the first time He came.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the angels declared to the apostles, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Zechariah 14:4 identifies the location of the Second Coming as the Mount of Olives. Matthew 24:30 declares, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Titus 2:13 describes the Second Coming as a "glorious appearing."

The Second Coming is spoken of in greatest detail in Revelation 19:11-16, "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

The apocalypse and the Second Coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a Scripture is referring to the apocalypse or the Second Coming. However, in studying end times Bible prophesies, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The apocalypse is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The apocalypse is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected, and along with believers who are still living will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The Second Coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His Millennial Kingdom. The Second Coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the apocalypse and Second Coming are as follows:

1) At the apocalypse, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the Second Coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 1-9:14).

2) The Second Coming occurs after the great and terrible Tribulation (Revelation chapters 6-19). The apocalypse occurs before the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The apocalypse is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:9). The Second Coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The apocalypse will be "secret" and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The Second Coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The Second Coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6-18). The apocalypse is imminent, it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

There are several important reasons to keep the apocalypse and the Second Coming distinct?

1) If the apocalypse and the Second Coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the apocalypse and the Second Coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent...there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the Tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6-19 nowhere mentions the church. During the Tribulation, God will again turn His primary attention on Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

The apocalypse and Second Coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences.

In summary, the apocalypse is the return of Christ to the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God's wrath. The Second Coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the Tribulation to an end and to defeat the antichrist and his evil world empire.

There are signs of the apocalypse. Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues so we can discern the approach of the end times, "For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places." An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters - these items are "signs" of the end times. Even in this passage, though, we are given a warning. We are not to be deceived (Matthew 24:4), because these events are only the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:8), the end is still to come (Matthew 24:6).