What is indicated by the "appearing" of Christ?

Read 2 Tim. 4:1-8

Let us consider the culminating event of history.  Three NT terms shed light on the nature of that event: appearing, coming and revelation.  

Ø The “appearing” of Jesus Christ.

The Greek term is epiphaneia from which we get epiphany.  The verb form, phaneroō (the root word without the prefix epi), was consistently translated with some form of the word manifest in the King James version.  Newer English translations often translate it as reveal thus confusing it with a different NT term that refers to Christ’s return.  For example, in 2 Timothy 1:10 in the KJV:

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The NASB translates the same verse:

but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

The difference between manifest and revealed helps us to understand the term appearing.  Something is manifest when it is no longer hidden to the eye but visible.  For example, in Mark 4:22 (using the KJV) there is a parallelism that identifies disclosed (phaneroō) with brought out into the open.  In 2 Tim. 1:10 the same term is associated with the phrase, to bring … to light.  R. C. Trench in his classic Synonyms of the New Testament argues that something is revealed when it is not only brought out into the open but also understood.  It is a more comprehensive term that includes manifestation or appearing.  

We conclude that the first term used of Christ’s return, appearing, indicates this is an event that is visible to the senses.  Thus every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7; Zech. 12:10-14).  Further we should note that both manifestation and appearing are used in the NT of both advents: the incarnation and the return.

·        Manifestation: 1^st (1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:20) and 2^nd (Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 John 3:2).

·        Appearing: 1^st (2 Tim. 1:10) and 2^nd (2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13).

This dual usage gives us understanding of the words of the angels to the disciples in Acts 1:11: This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.  Our blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).  Thus we conclude that another of the many errors of Jehovah’s Witnesses is their strange belief in a spiritual return of Christ in 1914, visible only to a few.  The Bible teaches Jesus’ return will be an unveiling of Christ for all to see.  May we be among those who love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8)!