Revelation (602) (apokalupsis from apó = from + kalúpto = cover, conceal, English = apocalypse) literally means cover from and so the idea is to remove that which conceals something. Apokalupsis conveys the idea of "taking the lid off" and means to remove the cover and expose to open view that which was heretofore not visible, known or disclosed. It means to make manifest or reveal a thing previously secret or unknown. It describes removing of a veil (an unveiling) or covering thus exposing to open view what was concealed. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible and now made fully known. Originally in secular Greek apokalupsis was not an especially religious word (other words were used in secular Greek to designate divine revelations) but meant simply the disclosure of any fact. It was used to mean "uncovering" as of one's head. It was used to describe the "disclosing" of hidden springs. In contrast apokalupsis as used in the NT always has theological meaning (as discussed more below). The last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is therefore the revelation, uncovering (exposing to view by removing the covering), unveiling or disclosure of Jesus Christ, especially of the truths about Him and His final victory that were alluded to in the other Scripture. Therefore the book of Revelation contains truths that had been concealed, but have now been revealed and made fully known. As an aside, note that although the Revelation nowhere directly quotes the Old Testament, 278 of its 404 verses allude to Old Testament prophetic truths. Thus the Revelation in fact amplifies what was only initially suggested in the Old Testament. Isn't it amazing that a book that God says is an unveiling is one of the books most cloaked in confusion and mystery as the result of the manifold interpretations! It is indeed sad to read comments by respected evangelical authors like Kistemaker who says that The Book of Revelation appears not to accomplish what its title promises, confusing its readers by all the images, figures, and numbers they encounter. (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. Baker Book or Logos) (Ed note: I strongly disagree and refer the judicious reader to Tony Garland's excellent, lucid exposition of this wonderful "terminus" to God's plan for the ages - see : A Testimony of Jesus Christ). Notice that Kistemaker refers to the "title", but the book title is not as relevant as the first verse which "promises" "the revelation of Jesus Christ", John recording... The Revelation (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. (See notes Revelation 1:1; 1:2) Comment: God is not a God of confusion but order. Even from a logical standpoint it would make little sense that in His final Word to man, God would not bring "order" out of the chaos of this sinful world. Indeed by definition the inspired word (not a title given by men) clearly states that this book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. God accomplishes what He intends in the Revelation for as His servant Joshua (23:14) said centuries earlier "not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed" and this statement is true in regard to "the Revelation of Jesus Christ". Dr John MacArthur also strongly refutes Kistemaker's conclusion that "the Revelation" does not accomplish what its writer promises writing that... The late British prime minister Winston Churchill once described the former Soviet Union as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”many Christians view the book of Revelation in much the same way. Bewildered by its mystifying symbolism and striking imagery, many believers (including some pastors, who never preach through Revelation) avoid serious study of the book. Even John Calvin, the greatest commentator of the Reformation, who wrote commentaries on the other books, did not attempt to write a commentary on Revelation." MacArthur goes on to explain that "Far from being the mysterious, incomprehensible book many imagine it to be, Revelation’s purpose is to reveal truth, not to obscure it. That fact is evident in its title, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Re 1:1), primarily in His second coming glory. Apokalupsis (“Revelation”) could be translated “an uncovering,” “an unveiling,” or “a disclosure.”... In each case, apokalupsis describes something (or someone) that was formerly hidden, but now becomes visible. Revelation unveils truths about Jesus Christ, and makes clear features of prophetic truth only hinted at in the Old Testament and other New Testament books. This clarity is often obscured by a rejection of the principles of literal interpretation in favor of an allegorical or spiritualizing hermeneutical method (Ed note: click here for comments on Revelation commentaries). Such approaches attempt to place Revelation’s account in the past and present rather than the future. But once the plain meaning of the text is denied, an interpreter is left to his own imagination, and the truths of this book are lost in a maze of human inventions void of authenticity."...Many people are confused by the book of Revelation, viewing it as a mysterious, bizarre, indecipherable mystery. But nothing could be further from the truth. Far from hiding the truth, the book of Revelation reveals it. This is the last chapter in God’s story of redemption. It tells how it all ends. As the account of the Creation in the beginning was not vague or obscure, but clear, so God has given a detailed and lucid record of the ending. It is unthinkable to believe that God would speak with precision and clarity from Genesis to Jude, and then when it comes to the end abandon all precision and clarity. Yet, many theologians today think Revelation is not the precise record of the end in spite of what it says. They also are convinced that its mysteries are so vague that the end is left in confusion. As we shall see in this commentary, this is a serious error that strips the saga of redemption of its climax as given by God." (MacArthur, J. Revelation 1-11. Chicago: Moody Press or or Logos - this work is also highly recommended for it's lucid, literal, balanced interpretation) (Bolding added) The NT uses apokalupsis in three general ways (a.) The unveiling of something hidden (Lk 2:32, Ro 16:25-note, Ep 3:3-note. Gal 1:12, 2:2) (b.) Insight into spiritual truth. (Ep 1:17-note. 1Co 14:6, 26 2Co 12:1,7) (c.) The return of Christ (Ro 2:5-note, Ro 8:19-note, 1Cor 1:7, 2Th 1:7, Re 1:1-note) (See related resource - Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) Apokalupsis here in first Peter clearly is a reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Below are the 18 uses of apokalupsis in the NAS (Lu; Ro 3x; 1 Co 3x; 2 Co 2x; Gal 2x; Eph 2x; 2Th; 1 Peter 3x; Rev). Note most of uses are by Paul (and the same observation applies to the corresponding verb apokalupto). Luke 2:32 A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel." Comment: Simeon exulted that the Messiah Who had been veiled in the prophetic OT passages, now at His advent had been made fully known. Romans 2:5 (note) But because of your stubbornness (sklerotes = hardness, the medical term sclerosis) and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation (apokalupsis) of the righteous judgment of God, Comment: When will God's wrath be fully disclosed? The consummation of His wrath will occur at the Great White Throne judgment of unbelievers (Rev 20:11, 12, 13, 14-see notes Rev 20:11ff) The increasing treasure of wrath, hidden now, will then be uncovered for all to witness. In that day the judgment of God will be seen to be absolutely righteous, without prejudice or injustice of any kind. Romans 8:18 (note) (for context) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed (verb apokalupto) to us. Romans 8:19 (note) For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing (noun - apokalupsis) of the sons of God. Comment: Ray Stedman explains the revelation of the sons of God - In other words, this present life in which we are living is just a school time that we Christians are going through, and here we have been placed to learn some lessons that are preparing us for the great day yet to come. And one of these days it is going to be graduation day -- the day when the sons of God will shed their humble attire and manifest that they have been princes in disguise all along (Ed note: synonymous with the apokalupsis or revelation), indwelt by the same wonderful secret of life that Jesus Christ had when he was here, indwelt by divine life, a man who is the vehicle of the divine life." William Newell adds that the unveiling of glorified saints will be "as when some wonderful statue has been completed and a veil thrown over it, people assemble for the ‘unveiling’ of this work of art. It will be as when sky rockets are sent up on a festival night: rockets which, covered with brown paper, seem quite common and unattractive, but up they are sent into the air and then they are revealed in all colors of beauty, and the multitude waiting below shout in admiration. Now the saints are wrapped up in the common brown paper of flesh, looking outwardly like other folks. But the whole creation is waiting for their unveiling at Christ’s coming, for they are connected with Christ, one with Him, and are to be glorified with Him at His coming." Romans 16:25 (note) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (musterion - spiritual truth not previously known but now made known) which has been kept secret for long ages past (Note that this is Paul's longest closing benediction.) Comment: The "mystery" that had not been disclosed in the OT but now had been fully disclosed was that of God's program of uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in one body, the Church. At present the world does not truly understand who Christians actually are (and many of us don't really understand either who we are in Christ!) 1 Corinthians 1:7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly (apekdechomai) the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 1 Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 2 Corinthians 12:1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:2 And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. Ephesians 1:17 (note) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 3:3 (note) that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery (of the church composed of Jews and Gentiles), as I wrote before in brief. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire Comment: "Shall be revealed" looks like a verb reveal but is actually the noun apokalupsis and the Greek is more literally rendered "rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven". This verse appears to specifically have reference to Christ's Second Coming (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) 1 Peter 1:7 (note) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Comment: This verse could refer to the Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation, but as it is addressed to believers, more likely refers to the revelation of Jesus when He returns to Rapture His Bride and rescue her from all affliction and adversity, following which there will be a time of reward at the Bema Seat. Although it is difficult to be absolutely dogmatic, the Bema seat appears to follow the Rapture and precedes the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation. One still has to wonder about when and how the saints who are saved during the Tribulation and Great Tribulation will be rewarded, and thus the importance of not being absolutely dogmatic regarding the timing of the Bema Seat Judgment of believers. (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) 1 Peter 1:13 (note) Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Comment: This could refer to the Rapture, but it would be difficult to exclude the possibility that it refers to the Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation. (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) 1 Peter 4:13 (note) but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. Comment: This revelation of His glory could refer to the Rapture, but it would be difficult to exclude the possibility that it refers to the Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation. (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) Revelation 1:1 (note) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Writing to the Galatians defending his ministry, Paul explained that the gospel he preached was not an invention of man for he neither received it from man, nor was...taught it, but...received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal 1:12) As he explained to the Corinthian church, it is only when a person turns to the Lord that the veil of spiritual ignorance and separation from God is removed (1Cor 3:14, 15, 16), so that the truth received can be understood. And for Paul the details and distinctions of that gospel truth came by special revelation directly from God. Writing to the Corinthian saints Paul describes them as awaiting eagerly (waiting assiduously or marked by a lifestyle of unremitting attention and expectation in looking for) the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Cor 3:14, 15, 16) The saintly Presbyterian pastor Robert Murray McCheyne was known to on occasion ask people Do you believe that Jesus is coming today?” If they replied in the negative, he would say, “Then you had better be ready, for He is coming at an hour when you think not! Calvin notes that This (truth about the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ) is added, that the faithful might learn to hold on courageously to the last day. For our life is now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3-note), and will remain hidden, and as it were buried, until Christ shall appear from heaven..." Matthew Henry adds Jesus Christ will appear again in glory, and, when He does so, the saints will appear with Him, and their graces will appear illustrious; and the more they have been tried the more bright they will then appear. The trial will soon be over, but the glory, honour, and praise will last to eternity. This should reconcile you to your present afflictions. The purpose of these trials is that the trial of our faith might result in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Some of the translations (ICB, NCV, TLB, TEV, CEV, Amplified, NLT) translate this verse as if it is believers who are the recipient of the praise. Other versions translate this verse conveying the thought that the praise goes to our Lord Jesus Christ (GWT). Still others (more literal versions) leave the intended meaning somewhat ambiguous (NASB, NKJV, KJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV). This difference of opinion will pale when we see Him face to face (Ro 11:33, 34, 35, 36-see notes Ro 11:33; 34; 35; 36) When a believer comes through a trial still trusting the Lord, he is assured that his faith is genuine (Ge 22:1, 12) Comparing (Job 1:20, 21, 22) with the end of his story in (Job 42:5,6) we note that Job's perseverance in the face of crushing affliction ultimately resulted in a clearer revelation of God and His character. Occasionally believers bring the trials on themselves, but even then God's hand of discipline is not without purpose for the trial proves to be a sign that we are legitimate sons (He 12:7, 8-see notes) And so Peter instructs his readers who are undergoing or will soon undergo trials that they can stand firm in the face of whatever comes their way by recalling to mind that every trial is in fact a test, not a test to destroy us but to refine us. (cf 1Pe 5:10-note) The trials which come test our faith and out of them our faith can emerge stronger than before. The rigors which the athlete endures in his training are not meant to make him collapse but to enable him to develop more strength and staying power. And so too in this world our trials are not meant to take the strength out of us, but to put His strength into us. For the believer, afflictions, persecutions & troubles are not the end but the means in a sense for beyond the temporal trials lies the certainty of eternal glory and this hope of future glory gives us a mindset that allows us to hold on no matter what life brings. One of the basic principles of human life is that a man or woman can endure anything so long as they know it will eventually end and that they have something to look forward to. And so Peter renews their mind with God's "precious & magnificent promises" (2Pe 1:4-note) of future praise, glory & honor. For a Christian, the best is truly yet to come! Kenneth Wuest adds Peter reminds us of the reason and purpose of these trials, namely, that the trial of our faith might result in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The word “trial” is the translation of dokimion the noun, dokimazo being the verb of the same root, the latter referring to the act of putting someone or something to the test with a view of determining whether it is worthy of being approved or not, the test being made with the intention of approving if possible. The word was used of the act of examining candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. It is the approval of our faith which is to resound to the praise of the Lord Jesus. Testing times put our faith to the test, and as we are submissive to God and remain faithful to Him and are ready to have Him teach us the lessons He would have us learn through them, we demonstrate by our actions that the faith we have is a genuine God-given, Holy Spirit produced faith, the genuine article. This faith and its working in our lives is to the glory of the Lord Jesus. It is not the testing of our faith that is to the glory of God, but the fact that our faith has met the test and has been approved, that redounds to His glory. This is made very clear by the Greek grammar involved in the statement. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) ><> ><> ><> Our Daily Bread - Invisible Gold - In the 1980s, Northern Nevada was the site of a gold strike. The discovery would have been beyond the imagination of 19th-century prospectors, for the gold in those western hills is virtually invisible. Even after being magnified 1,500 times, most of the particles remain imperceptible. Modern technology, however, has found a way to extract the gold. First, tons of ore are crushed to the consistency of fine sand. Then cyanide is added to dissolve the granules into a clear solution. When zinc dust is blended in, the gold separates from the mixture. The gold was there all the time, but it couldn't be seen. There's a similarity here to Peter's explanation of suffering in his first New Testament letter. He saw great potential in the mountains of adversity & affliction that faced the Lord's people. So he encouraged them to look beyond the heat and pressure produced by their suffering to the precious faith the Lord was developing from it (1Pe 1:6, 7). He showed them that the "faith processing" experience was of great value to their spiritual lives. Therefore, they could actually rejoice in it (1Pe 1:8). Don't give in to life's troubles. You may not see in them the rich potential of a strong faith, but it's there. To have it developed is much more precious than gold! --M R De Haan II (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) God watches us with patient eye, With love that's strong and sure: His gold endures the fervent heat Required to make it pure. --Anonymous Faith-testing times can be faith-strengthening times. The refiner is never very far from the mouth of the furnace when his gold is in the fire. - Spurgeon ><> ><> ><> J C Philpot - 1 Peter 1:7 - Devotional Trial of faith - Very Precious Trials and temptations are the means which God employs to manifest to the soul the reality and strength of the faith which He bestows upon it; for there is in every trial and temptation opposition made to the faith that is in the heart; and every trial and temptation, so to speak, threaten the life of faith. And they threaten it in this way--Under the trial God for the most part hides Himself. He puts forth, indeed, a secret power whereby the soul is held up, or otherwise it would sink into utter despair, and be overcome and swallowed up by the power of unbelief. Hence comes the conflict between the trial that fights against the faith and the faith which fights against or rather under the trial. Now, when in this trial, in this sharp conflict, in this hot furnace, faith does not give way, is not burned up, is not destroyed, but keeps its firm hold upon the promise and the faithfulness of Him Who has given it, this trial of faith becomes very precious. It is precious to the soul when God again smiles upon it, and becomes thus manifest as genuine. It is precious in the sight of God's people, who see it and derive strength and comfort from what they witness in the experience of a saint thus tried and blessed; and it is precious also in the sight of God Himself, Who crowns it with His own manifest approbation, and puts upon it the attesting seal of His own approving smile. But above all things, it will be found precious at the appearing of Jesus Christ, and that not only in His various appearings in grace, but in His final appearance in glory, for of that the Apostle mainly speaks when he says that "it may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_17.htm#Revelation