Deeper look at the Second Coming of Jesus

In the constantly recurring predictions of the glorious second advent of our Lord, a number of Greek words are used, words having distinct and unique shades of meaning. I will list the most prominent, giving an example of each use.

Here are ten leading Greek terms employed:
Parousia- "The coming of the Lord draws nigh(James 5:8).
Erchomai- " Occupy till I come- (Luke 19:13).
Apokalupto- 'When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed" (2 Thess. 1:7).
Epiphaneia- "The appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ- (1 Tim. 6:14).
Phaneroo- "When the chief Shepherd shall appear" (1 Peter 5A).
Prosopon- 'From the presence of the Lord" (2 Thess. 1:9).
Analuo- "He will return from the wedding" (Luke 12:36).
Hupostrepho- "To receive ... a kingdom, and to return" (Luke 19:12).
Ephistimi- "That day come upon you unawares" (Luke 21:34).
Heko- "Hold fast till I come" (Rev. 2:25).

The meaning of these ten Greek terms is highly significant. Properly understood, they enable us to glimpse at least something of the nature of the glorious appearing of our blessed Lord.

Erchomai, for example, indicates the act of coming, but not necessarily of arrival.

He goes a step further, and not only means coming, but stresses arrival as well.

Parousia goes further still, for it involves not only coming and arrival, but the actual personal Presence of the person who has arrived.

Again, analuo indicates a departure in order to return,

while hupostrepho has the idea of returning from a journey.

Further, apokalupto stresses appearing, with the idea of revelation.

Prosopon indicates the actual presence of the one coming, and that all are before his face.

Epiphaneia emphasizes the glory that will attend the Savior when He comes.

Phaneroo involves not only appearing but the further thought that the person appearing will be seen in his true character.

The other word, ephistimi, stresses the thought not only of being near but particularly of the suddenness of the coming of the Lord.

While the foregoing meanings of the Greek words are given in their renderings into English, these meanings are not always sharp and distinct. There is often an overlapping in the shades of meaning.

May the Lord bless you as you ponder His Word.