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I have been led to address something that I think many within the believing church have failed to give adequate thought and attention to… it is a matter that has far reaching ramifications on how exactly we view events that have happened, are happening now, and are yet to happen; the ‘blessed hope‘.
You see, I was recently reminded of an online debate I’d been involved in (I know right?) years ago, regarding the placement of the rapture in the chronology of end-time events. Obviously being opposed to a pre-tribulation interpretation, I was asked by another participant; “where then is your blessed hope?“
To be completely honest, I was taken aback by the retort. It struck me that there was a profound ignorance with regards to what this phrase is actually pointing to that I could scarcely believe it required clarification… and yet it did. Given that this was one person in one conversation, I am fairly certain that the misperception reaches far and wide. Know up front, that this isn’t some ham-fisted attempt to simply take a swipe a pre-trib theology. If I were going to do that (again), I’d just do it. No, my purpose here is to focus on the actual meaning of the ‘blessed hope‘ and to help you see how we often conflate matters to the detriment of our own understanding.
Let’s start with scripture and address the primary source for the phrase;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
Titus 2:13 KJV
Note that I have quoted from the King James Version, as the KJV is the reason that this phrase has been so widely adopted. Other translations use different language, but all essentially mean the same thing; ‘blessed hope’.
Throughout my life, when I’ve heard this discussed from the pulpits, it has been invariably related to, if not outright defined as the rapture – and one can certainly see why. I mean, right there in the same sentence is a direct reference to the second coming – so, “case closed” right?
Well, not so fast… if that’s the case, then what’s with that and?
First, let’s look at how we define the word ‘and‘:
And
1. (used to connect grammatically coordinate words, phrases, or clauses) along or together with; as well as; in addition to; besides; also; moreover: (pens and pencils)
2. added to; plus: (two and two are four)
3. then: He read for an hour and then went to bed.
4. also, at the same time: To sleep and dream.
Dictionary.com
Notice that there are many ways in which and can be used, and determining the intention behind its use is entirely dependent on the context of its utilization. In the subject passage we can see that an argument could be made for any one of the four potential definitions… we can also see that not a single one of those definitions would equate to ‘synonymous with‘.
As it happens, this is an English translation of a Greek text… “so what did the original text say?” you might ask; turns out, pretty much exactly what the translation says it says… see for yourself. So having taken a closer look, let’s ply some logic to this passage – as I find Paul to have been an imminently logical person – and see if we can determine what this first and is trying to convey… then we’ll discuss why this matters.
First and foremost, if the ‘blessed hope’ was referring to the rapture itself, we’d have no need for an ‘and’ in the first place. Were that the case, I contend that it would be far clearer to have written “Looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ“. No ambiguity, nothing unclear – such a sentence would indicate with certainty that the “glorious appearing” was the “blessed hope” ~ no ‘if’s’, ‘and’s’ or ‘but’s’. But… that isn’t what the text says.
If we apply any of the definitions, the passage works flawlessly, but only so long as we apply the grammatical definitions used for ‘and’ properly;
- The glorious appearing along with / as well as the blessed hope.
- The glorious appearing added to to blessed hope.
- The blessed hope, then glorious appearing – or even
- The blessed hope at the same time as the glorious appearing.
As a huge proponent of context, let’s look at the passage in context and see what clues may be provided through which we can ascertain clear meaning:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Titus 2:11 – 15 KJV
Within this paragraph, we see a number of matters – which one might otherwise conflate – delineated and called out with individual specificity; the blessed hope, the appearing of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Is Paul (Saul really) just waxing poetic? Is he just attempting to convey his message in a more eloquent manner, or is he pointing to different, yet related events which undergird our faith?
I submit that it’s the latter. Let me show you something…
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:22 – 23
Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen,
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:50 – 58
But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20 – 21
Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 17
Do you see the theme? In each quoted passage, Paul is talking about resurrection. Set aside for a moment, the fact that timing of the resurrection coincides with the second coming – I mean, it does coincide, but that does not make the terms interchangeable, because they simply don’t mean the same thing. Words mean things and we need to ensure that we properly understand them and what they actually mean.
Folks, the blessed hope Paul refers to in Titus is our resurrection. Whether it occurs after one has been laid to rest, or one is transformed in the twinkling of an eye does not change this fact one bit. It is the blessed hope of all those who will endure the great tribulation, as well as the blessed hope of every believer throughout all time. It is the blessed hope of Adam, of Moses, of David, of Daniel. You name the figure, and I’ll point you to their blessed hope – the hope of resurrection and redemption through the messiah. It’s the hope of eternal life in the presence of our creator.
You may balk, or be asking, what the difference is or why this matters… but it matters greatly. The blessed hope isn’t that we’ll be taken away or spared from suffering. I mean, seriously, believers have suffered from the beginning and continue to suffer even now. The blessed hope is that this suffering will pale in comparison to what is coming – to what will be ours upon His return; everlasting life.
Yeah, the timing is the same – but the meaning is not, and THAT makes it important. If it came from the Lord, then should we not take the time to understand and comprehend what He has said? The blessed hope of resurrection is ours regardless of when the rapture happens – it’s ours regardless of whether or not we suffer for His name. The blessed hope is ours because it is the abundant life He came to bring to us in the first place.
Now then… exactly how many last trumps can there be? That is a swipe at pre-trib. =P
P.S.
Merhaba ~
Hello to my Turkish brothers and sisters? I’ve seen a significant influx of hits and visits from turkey and it is my hope that this means something other than coming onto your governments radar… ?
To you who believe – to my brothers and sisters who stand even now for the sanctity of His name – continue to stand strong in your faith. Know that the King sees you – He will not leave you nor forsake you. He knows your suffering and persecutions and when He returns, your steadfast endurance will be a crown upon your heads! Know that you are loved, prayed for and regarded among the congregation. You have already suffered and endured persecutions many of us can scarcely imagine, and yet you stand firm in your faith.
You, and those like you, stand as a shining example to us all ~ may the Lord bless you richly.
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You