“This
is the end, beautiful friend; this is the end, my only friend, the end…”
Haunting is the sound of helicopters moving closer as these lyrics are sung in
the opening scenes of the movie Apocalypse Now. The word “apocalypse” invokes
cataclysmic images of events, many times, future events. We think of the four horsemen of Revelation 6
bringing destruction. And while the opening of the seals will be disastrous or apocalyptic,
according to our modern interpretation of the word apocalypse, there are no scary apocalyptic events for the believer
in Jesus Christ. Our modern definitions
of apocalypse have slanted and
twisted the true biblical meaning, causing confusion in the word of God. There are some clues in the definitions of
the Greek words that explain this word. The
title of the book John wrote speaking of the future is the word Apocalypse, or Revelation. Technically, the
book could be called “The Book of the Apocalypse”, which is the Apocalypse of
Jesus Christ which God gave to Him, Revelation 1:1. Apocalypse is a revealing
and an uncovering. It is the disclosing
of something that was previously hidden.
At
first glance, these definitions seem simple, but as we look into the breakdown
of the word and the similar words, we find that while Apocalypse is an unveiling,
it is as if someone has stolen the truth and has hidden it from us. Let’s
explore.
NT:601
apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop'-to); from NT:575 and NT:2572; to take off the cover,
i.e. disclose: KJV - reveal.
NT:602
apokalupsis (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis); from NT:601; disclosure: KJV - appearing,
coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:575 apo (apo'); a primary particle;
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place,
time, or relation; literal or figurative): KJV - (X here-) after, ago, at,
because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off,
(up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes
separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2572 kalupto (kal-oop'-to); akin to NT:2813
and NT:2928; to cover up (literally or figuratively): KJV - cover,
hide.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2813 klepto (klep'-to); a primary verb; to
filch: KJV - steal.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2928 krupto (kroop'-to); a primary verb;
to conceal (properly, by covering):KJV - hide (self), keep secret, secret
[-ly].(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
As
we probably recognize, #2813 is where we get part of our compound word kleptomaniac. A habitual thief that hides what he has
stolen. Although this word wasn’t used to describe a psychological disorder
until the 1830’s, today, it seems to come under the heading of obsessive
compulsive disorders. People who have a
kleptomania personality disorder steal to release tension, not because they are
hungry or in need. They become habitual thieves that hide what they steal. Apocalypse is taking off the covering on what
has been stolen and then concealed. As
we look at what knowledge has been stolen and concealed, we will have a new
appreciation for this word.
Matt
10:24-26 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his
lord.25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant
as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much
more shall they call them of his household?26 Fear them not therefore: for
there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed [601]; and hid, that shall
not be known.KJV
One
of the ways people would persecute the disciples was to say they were speaking from
the devil. Jesus says they called him
Beelzebub, the dung god, and the same people would call the disciples that as
well, however they were not to fear. One day the covering of deception will be
revealed or “off covered”.
Rom
1:17-18 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed [601],
both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of
faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith
is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith. [Hab 2:4.] 18 For God's
[holy] wrath and indignation are revealed [601]from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and
hinder the truth and make it inoperative. AMP
God’s
righteousness is revealed, but also God’s holy wrath. For those who believe Jesus is Lord, there is
nothing for us to fear. The wrath of the
Lamb and the wrath of God both take place after the church leaves earth. Along the same conversation, Paul continues.
Rom
2:4-6 Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and
underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering
patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's
kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man
to accept God's will)? 5 But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of
heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath
and indignation, when God's righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed
[602]. 6 For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his
deeds deserve]: [Ps 62:12.] AMP
If
one resists repentance and resists Jesus’ Lordship, then wrath and indignation
is waiting when judgment is apocalypse, uncovered. Again the one who makes Jesus Lord does not
store up wrath for himself.
Rom
8:17-19 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of
God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we
must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. 18 [But what of that?]
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are
not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed [601]to us
and in us and for us and conferred on us! 19 For [even the whole] creation (all
nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known
[602, manifestation] [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their
sonship]. AMP
The
apocalypse of glory and the apocalypse of who the sons of God are will be a
wonderful thing for those in Christ. In
this respect, we can see what Jesus was telling his disciples; while people may
have cursed the believer in Christ, one day his sons will be revealed. The mystery of Jew and Gentile becoming one
body that will be redeemed had to be uncovered too.
Rom
16:25-26 Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in
accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the
Messiah), according to the revelation [602] (the unveiling) of the mystery of
the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages, 26
But is now disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures is made known to all
nations, according to the command of the eternal God, [to win them] to
obedience to the faith, AMP
Eph
3:3-6 [And] that the mystery [602] (secret) was made known to me and I was
allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you.
4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.
5 [This mystery][602] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations
as it has now been revealed [601]to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers)
and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to
be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers
[sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of]
the glad tidings (the Gospel). AMP
Why
would a kleptomaniac try to hide the plan of redemption? Who could this
kleptomaniac be?
1
Cor 1:7 That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special
spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the
power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you
wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming [602] of our Lord Jesus
Christ and [His] being made visible to all.AMP
The
knowledge of the revealing of Jesus Christ was stolen and hidden. Could this be why there is so much confusion
regarding the end of this age, the millennial reign, and the new heaven and
earth? Did a habitual thief steal and hide knowledge humankind needed to have
hope? There will be a revealing of our works as well.
1
Cor 3:13 The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for
what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it
will be revealed [601]with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise
the character and worth of the work each person has done. AMP
Apo-off,
kaloopto-hide, an apocalypse of our works; from the context, did we add to the
foundation Jesus Christ started with good materials or bad materials? Everyone
will know what materials we used when it is tried by fire. That will be the revealing of our works. Paul had visions and revelations
(apokaloopsis) from the Lord, but in essence he says he could have gotten a big
head over it, but he was given an angel of satan to punch him, or to beat him
down so that he wouldn’t become proud.
2
Cor 12:1-7 TRUE, THERE is nothing to be gained by it, but [as I am obliged] to
boast, I will go on to visions and revelations [602]of the Lord. 2 I know a man
in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body or out of the body I do
not know, God knows — was caught up [726,
harpazo, taken by force] to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man —
whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows — 4 Was caught up [726, harpazo, taken by force] into paradise, and he heard
utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not
permitted to utter. 5 Of this same [man's experiences] I will boast, but of
myself (personally) I will not boast, except as regards my infirmities (my
weaknesses). 6 Should I desire to boast, I shall not be a witless braggart, for
I shall be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it] so that no one may form
a higher estimate of me than [is justified by] what he sees in me or hears from
me. 7 And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding
greatness (preeminence) of these revelations [602], there was given me a thorn (a
splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me,
to keep me from being excessively exalted. [Job 2:6.] AMP
There
were amazing insights revealed to Paul, the kind of insights that could make
him prideful and haughty. This
uncovering of the knowledge that was stolen and hidden was given to Paul so
that he could help reveal it to us. This
is what an apocalypse actually is. Let’s change out this word for revelation in
Ephesians and read it with the understanding of apocalypse.
Eph
1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and apocalypse in the knowledge of him: KJV
Eph
1:17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [602] [of
insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of
Him,AMP
As
we see it shaping up, this idea of apocalypse is a wonderful thing, not a
horrid or scary time.
2
Thess 1:6-8 [It is a fair decision] since it is a righteous thing with God to
repay with distress and affliction those who distress and afflict you, 7 And to
[recompense] you who are so distressed and afflicted [by granting you] relief
and rest along with us [your fellow sufferers] when the Lord Jesus is revealed
[602]from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire, 8 To deal out
retribution (chastisement and vengeance) upon those who do not know or perceive
or become acquainted with God, and [upon those] who ignore and refuse to obey
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.AMP
The
context Paul is speaking of is at the end of the tribulation when Jesus comes
with his armies to punish evil people and throw the beast and false prophet in
the lake of fire, and bind satan for 1000 years, the parousia, the Day of the
Lord. Still speaking in the same context, Paul goes on.
2
Thess 2:1-8 BUT RELATIVE to the coming [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ (the
Messiah) and our gathering together [episunagoge]
to [meet] Him, we beg you, brethren, 2 Not to allow your minds to be quickly
unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some
[pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter [alleged to be]
from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is
here. 3 Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not
come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away
of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of
lawlessness (sin) is revealed [601], who is the son of doom (of perdition),
[Dan 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim 4:1.] 4 Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and
insolently against and over all that is called God or that is worshiped, [even
to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God [the Holy of Holies], proclaiming that he himself is God. [Ezek
28:2; Dan 11:36,37.] 5 Do you not recollect that when I was still with you, I
told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining him [from being
revealed [601]at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) [601]in
his own [appointed] time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden
principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the
world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the
way. 8 And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed [601] and the
Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end
by His appearing at His coming [parousia].
[Isa 11:4.] AMP
Now,
reminding the Thessalonians of two events, the coming of Jesus with his armies,
and the gathering of the above synagogue so that they would not be deceived by
false teachings, Paul says that that day, what day, the day Jesus comes with
his armies, will not come until the false leader is apocalypse, uncovered as a
fake. That false leader will sit in the
Holy of Holies pretending to be God Almighty, but he will be apocalypse,
uncovered, at the right time. At first
the Jews will know the truth when the liar sits in the Holy of Holies, but the
world will still be deceived. The false
leader will be uncovered as anti-christ, that’s when Jesus comes back with his
armies, the parousia, the Day of the Lord. The beast will devour mystery
Babylon, and then attempt to make war with Jesus Christ; we know the rest of
the story. Therefore if apocalypse is a bad word, evoking fear, it should be noted that
this fear of the kleptomaniac being exposed will be on the evil ones, not the
church. The uncovering to the rest of
humanity that remained on earth will be scary, because of their rejection of
Jesus and refusal of salvation. Albeit
there will be many redeemed during the tribulation, this will be the time of
the trying of their faith, but to them the apocalypse will be an uncovering of
the truth that they recently believed.
In
this next section, Peter uses this word apocalypse
four times. Keeping in mind that
apocalypse is a revealing of what has been stolen and hid, we can see why Peter
uses it so often here. Because of Jesus’
laying down his life for us we can be born again, and have an inheritance
waiting for us when we all get to heaven, Revelation 11. We will inherit a
final salvation in the last times, which is when it will be revealed. This
thought kept in the forefront of our minds should make us happy.
1
Peter 1:4-13 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of
change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for
you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith
[till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [601]
[for you] in the last time. 6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account,
though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer
temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your
faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is
tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to
redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah,
the Anointed One) is revealed [602]. 8 Without having seen Him, you love Him;
though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill
with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. 9 [At the same
time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the
salvation of your souls. 10 The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine
blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about
this salvation. 11 They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come
which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted
the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them]. 12 It was
then disclosed [601]to them that the services they were rendering were not
meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very]
things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who
preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from
heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look! 13 So brace up your minds;
be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on
the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah)
is revealed [602]. AMP
Today,
on earth, we may be tested; but someday we will be revealed with Jesus when he
comes with His saints. The reason we
receive this great reward is because without having seen Him when he was on
earth we love him and believe in Him.
That is why we receive the salvation of our souls. The Old Testament
saints and prophets searched to understand this salvation. The heavens declare our salvation and
redemption. People read the stars before
they had a scroll to read. They knew the
constellation names, and the star names spoke of salvation, and they searched
out all they could to understand this age. They knew a savior was coming who
would be murdered by the devil/dragon but would come back to bring salvation to
all who believe. They had it revealed to
them, apocalypse, that this would be for a future time and future people. Some
of these secrets that were revealed to the prophets and saints of old testament
times were things the angels wished would be revealed, apocalypse, to
them. The kleptomaniac who stole the
knowledge of the future didn’t only steal it from humans, but from the other
angels as well. This is why they desired
to look into these secrets. Yet the
fulfillment of Christ’s suffering was given to us, those who live after his
death, who believe and love Him. Now,
Peter tells us, we are to set our hope on the grace that we will receive when
Jesus is uncovered.
To
sum up this idea of our suffering on earth, Peter reiterates this idea again of
Jesus being revealed in His glory. Peter
also mentions he is sharer in the glory that will be revealed.
1
Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal
which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange
(unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. 13 But insofar
as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full
of radiance and splendor] is revealed [602], you may also rejoice with triumph
[exultantly]. AMP
1
Peter 5:1 I WARN and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual
guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to
testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the
honor and splendor) that is to be revealed[601] (disclosed, unfolded):AMP
The
idea of the revealing of Jesus Christ and the glory of those who receive
sonship is mentioned seven times. This
tells us that the first century church was waiting for the uncovering of Jesus
Christ from heaven. They were looking
forward to it, anticipating and hoping it would be soon. Jesus will come back to earth to reign as
King of kings and Lord of lords after he is crowned (Revelation 11:15), then he
will give rewards, inheritances in heaven.
We know that mistakenly the first century people thought Christ would
come at that time and reign as king, and they in fact wanted to make him king
of Jerusalem. But Jesus will not only be
King of Jerusalem, he will be King of the earth. Therefore what we are looking for is
something a kleptomaniac stole, for the sake of stealing, and hid from
everyone, even the angels. We are
anticipating the time when Jesus and His armies come in glory at the parousia.
In order to get to the parousia, we have to first be gathered into heaven with
the dead in Christ. If that happens in our lifetime, we will be in heaven for
the tribulation on earth. The four
horsemen of the apocalypse, along with the breaking of the seven seals, and
seven trumpets will happen; once the saints are singing about being redeemed in
heaven (Revelation 5), then Jesus will be crowned, then the wrath of God the
second half of the tribulation happens.
When all is fulfilled, then the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ with His
Saints will be revealed on the earth, and after subduing His enemies, Jesus
will reign on earth for 1000 years. This
is the apocalypse we are looking forward to.
There
are a few beings that should be scared and fear the apocalypse, the beast, the
false prophet, and satan, as well as the fallen angels. Also those humans who reject Jesus to the end
of the tribulation should be in fear of the apocalypse. I find it interesting that the devil twisted
this word to become defined as a bad word, a word that means destruction and
death, rather than its intended Greek meaning, the exposing of what a
kleptomaniac stole and hid. We can
rejoice in the apocalypse, the revealing of knowledge and information while we
are on earth. Even when times are hard, we can remember that we will be
revealed in glory with Jesus Christ when he is revealed.
