Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "appearing" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine manifestations, theophanies, and eschatological events. It is a term that signifies the visible presence or revelation of God, Christ, or spiritual truths to humanity. This entry explores the various contexts and theological implications of "appearing" as found in the Scriptures.
Divine ManifestationsIn the Old Testament, God often "appeared" to individuals to communicate His will or to establish covenants. One of the earliest instances is found in
Genesis 12:7, where the LORD appeared to Abram and promised to give his descendants the land of Canaan: "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.'" Such appearances were pivotal in guiding the patriarchs and establishing the nation of Israel.
Theophanies, or visible manifestations of God, are also significant. In
Exodus 3:2, God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush: "The Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush." These appearances often signified divine intervention and guidance.
Christ's First AppearingThe New Testament introduces the appearing of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. His first coming is described as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the manifestation of God's redemptive plan. In
John 1:14, the apostle writes, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Christ's appearing in the world was marked by His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. This first appearing was a demonstration of God's love and the means of salvation for humanity, as stated in
1 Timothy 1:15: "This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
Eschatological AppearingThe New Testament also speaks of a future appearing of Christ, often referred to as the Second Coming. This eschatological event is anticipated as a time of judgment and the consummation of God's kingdom. In
Titus 2:13, believers are encouraged to look forward to "the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
The Second Coming is described as a visible and triumphant event. In
Matthew 24:30, Jesus Himself declares, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory."
Spiritual AppearingBeyond physical manifestations, the Bible also speaks of spiritual appearances, where truths are revealed to believers through the Holy Spirit. In
Colossians 3:4, Paul writes, "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." This indicates a future revelation of believers' true identity in Christ.
The concept of appearing is also linked to the believer's sanctification and ultimate glorification. In 1
John 3:2, it is written, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is."
ConclusionThe theme of appearing in the Bible encompasses God's historical interventions, the incarnation of Christ, and the anticipated return of Jesus. Each aspect of appearing serves to reveal God's character, fulfill His promises, and advance His redemptive purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Appear.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
APPEARINGa-per'-ing (apokalupsis, "an unveiling"; epiphaneia, "a manifestation"): Exclusively technical, referring in the six passages where found to the return, the millennial advent of Christ (e.g.1 Peter 1:7, the King James Version;2 Timothy 1:10Titus 2:13).
Greek
3701. optasia -- anappearing... an
appearing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: optasia Phonetic Spelling:
(op-tas-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a vision, supernatural appearance
...2015. epiphaneia -- appearance
... appearance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epiphaneia Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-if-an'-i-ah) Short Definition:appearing, manifestation Definition...
602. apokalupsis -- an uncovering
...appearing, coming, manifestation, revelation. From apokalupto; disclosure --appearing,
coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation....
3708. horao -- to see, perceive, attend to
... verb Definition to see, perceive, attend to NASB Word Usage appear (2), appeared
(21),appearing (1), behold (3), beware (1), certainly seen (1), do (2), look...
5244. huperephanos -- showing oneself above others
... Ro 12:2,3). proud. From huper and phaino;appearing above others (conspicuous),
ie (figuratively) haughty -- proud. see GREEK huper. see GREEK phaino....
1307. diaphanes -- transparent.
... Word Origin variant reading for diauges, qv. transparent. From dia and phaino;
appearing through, ie "diaphanous" -- transparent. see GREEK dia. see GREEK phaino...
3700. optanomai -- to appear
... 3708.]. Word Origin from a prim. root op- (cf. horao) Definition to appear
NASB Word Usageappearing (1). appear, look, see. A (middle...
Strong's Hebrew
226. oth -- a sign... Probably from 'uwth (in the sense of
appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively),
as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.
...Library
ChristAppearing to his Church, and Seeking Her Company, Cant. 2 1...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:69. Christappearing to his church, and seeking her
company, Cant. 2. 1-13. 1 The voice of my beloved sounds...
M. JesusAppearing to the Apostles. Ch. 24:36-43
... VII. THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION. CHS. 22 TO 24 M. JesusAppearing To The
Apostles. Ch. 24:36-43. 36 And as they spake these things...
ChristAppearing to his Church, and Seeking Her Company. Ss 2:8-13...
... HYMN 69 Christappearing to his church, and seeking her company. SS 2:8-13. LM Christ
appearing to his church, and seeking her company. Songs 2:8-13....
Christian Women, Further, have not the Same Causes forAppearing...
... Book II. Chapter XI."Christian Women, Further, Have Not the Same Causes forAppearing
in Public, and Hence for Dressing in Fine Array as Gentiles....
Who are These Like StarsAppearing
... THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Days: All Saints 296. Who are these like starsappearing.
8.7.8.7.7.7 [1118]All Saints:... rev., 1864. Who are these like starsappearing,....
Whether God the Trinity Indiscriminately Appeared to the Fathers...
... Book II. Chapter 10"Whether God the Trinity Indiscriminately Appeared to the Fathers,
or Any One Person of the Trinity. TheAppearing of God to Adam....
Conclusion Contrast Between the Statements of Hermogenes and the...
... But it is not thus that the prophets and the apostles have told us that the
world was made by God merelyappearing and approaching Matter....
1 Timothy vi. 13-16
... Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep
this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until theappearing of our Lord...
Titus ii. 14-Nov
... and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the gloriousappearing of the...
Because the Rapture of a Part of the Church Only, Would Leave the...
... which was at work even in the days of the apostle Paul and which has been hindered
from coming to complete fruition will yet head up in theappearing of the...
Thesaurus
Appearing (20 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Appear. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
APPEARING.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Appearing (20 Occurrences).
...Re-appearing (2 Occurrences)
Re-appearing. Reappearing, Re-appearing. Reappears . Multi-Version
Concordance Re-appearing (2 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians...
Appear (111 Occurrences)
... appeared unto Abram" (Genesis 12:7); to Moses (Exodus 3:2); to Solomon (1 Kings
3:5). All originals used of Nature's processes, of theappearing, ie coming of...
Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act ofappearing or coming into sight; the
act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me....
Attended (39 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to requite with rest you who are suffering affliction
now--rest with us at the re-appearing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven, attended by...
Savior (60 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 1:10 but has now been revealed by theappearing of our Savior, Christ
Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through...
Saviour (157 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by theappearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light...
Appeareth (31 Occurrences)
Premillennial
... It is found in the last he wrote, the second to Timothy, gleaming with the bright
anticipation of the crown he was to receive at the Redeemer'sappearing....
Millennium
... It is found in the last he wrote, the second to Timothy, gleaming with the bright
anticipation of the crown he was to receive at the Redeemer'sappearing....
Resources
What is the blessed hope? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does Satan look like? What do demons look like? | GotQuestions.orgHas anyone ever seen God? | GotQuestions.orgAppearing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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