V. RAPTURE THEORIES

Question 1

Define Paraousia

Answer 1

• It is the word most frequently used in the Scriptures to describe the return of Christ.
• It occurs twenty four times in the New Testament.
• It means to be near or alongside. It involves all that the English word presence connotes.
• It has come to mean not simply presence but the act by which presence is brought about; by the coming of an individual.

Question 2

Define Apokalupsis

Answer 2

• It occurs eighteen times in noun form, twenty six times in the verb form.
• It is obviously derived from APO (to uncover or to unveil) and KALUPTO (to cover, or to veil), and hence to reveal.

Question 3

Define Ephiphanea

Answer 3

• The root meaning of to bring forth into the light, causes to shine, to show.
• The addition of the preposition gives it an intensive meaning; it is used of the first coming of Christ to the earth in His incarnation. Luke 1:79 2 Tim. 1:10
• The emphasis given to the truth in the use of EPIPHANEIA is to reassure us that Christ will actually appear, that He will be seen and will be manifested in a visible way.

Question 4

What is Christs’ Return to Rule?

Answer 4

The Revelation

• At the Rapture, Christ comes for His saints; at His Revelation, He comes with His saints.
• At the Rapture, He comes in the air; at His Revelation, He comes to earth to rule in power and glory.