“W. T.”-If the “appearing” of the Lord Jesus be not the immediate hope of the saints (instead of His descent into the air), in what sense could the Corinthians be said to be “waiting for” His “revelation,” 1 Cor. 1:77So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:7)?
A.-There are three words used in Scripture when speaking of that event-the Lord’s coming. The “coming” or “presence”—(παρουσια) is one of large import, embracing the whole thing, from the rapture to His revelation, when every eye shall see Him. Hence, this word is used generally, and with reference at times to the first action of it-the taking up of the saints; or the subsequent details of it until He appears.
The “appearing” (επιφανεια) is used for the closing action of that event when He shines forth and is seen to every eye. The former word is used generally, as I have said; the latter not so, but for that closing point of His coming.
The word used here (1 Cor. 1:77So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:7)) in this sense, (as also in Rom. 2:5; 8:195But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (Romans 2:5)
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19); 1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:137That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13)
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13); Rev. 1:11The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)), might rather be translated “revelation” (αποκαλυψις), than by “appearing.” It is a well-chosen word if we may so say) of the Spirit in this passage; for at that “revelation” all things will be made manifest—declared by the day. Even the use which the Corinthians were making of the manifold gifts of Christ, of which they came short in no respect, as Paul says. The manner of their use of them would then become the subject of the appraisal of the Lord Jesus Christ. How much more suitable then was the Spirit’s choice of this word, than that of His “coming” or of His “appearing,” which referred to that moment which would reveal all that passed now. He would bring their consciences under its power, while comforting them at the same time with the thought that God would preserve them blameless at the day of the Lord Jesus. If he would do this at such a time, they could rejoice that he would, in love, blame them for all and everything unsuited to Him now.
“J. P.” —I reply to your question without citing your letter. Rev. 21:9-22: 5, gives us a description of the Millennial glory of the Bride-the Lamb’s wife. No doubt all in that day will “know the Lord,” i.e., “Jehovah.” But this knowledge of Jehovah does not at all amount to what we now understand by “knowing the Lord”—Jesus Christ. The former may be external and by sight, and without life being possessed; the latter can only be by faith while He is unseen, and therefore the possessor has life in his soul.
When the Church is displayed in her heavenly glory to and over the earth, she is owned by these nations about whom you inquire, as the channel of Christ’s blessing to the earth. These nations, and kings of the earth, who have been saved through the great tribulation, or during the time of it, own this, therefore, and bring their glory and honor to it. (We are told by competent persons that we should read this word, vv. 24, 26, “to,” and not “unto.”) They could go into the earthly Jerusalem, but not into the Heavenly; rather, therefore “they bring the glory and honor of the nations to it.”
During the Millennium there are Jews (or Israel), Gentiles, Kings, Priests, &c. —all the time distinctions which we now know. In the eternal state which follows, all these time distinctions are gone away forever.