THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

BLESSED HOPE Part I

This Expression Describe the rapture of the Church. Paul wrote to his young Gentile helper, Titus, sometime during A.D. 63 – 65. He addresses how to live in this present age ( 2:12 ) and then say that the grace of God instructs believers to be “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and savior, Christ Jesus ( 2:13 NASB ). Paul urges believers to be looking for the blessed hope while living in this present age, the Church age, which serve as an indication that the rapture must come before the Tribulation.

THE BLESSED HOPE

“The blessed hope” in Titus 2:13 might be better translated the “joyous anticipation” ( Greek, makaria elpida ). This hope will come to pass, and it can produce great joy as believers look forward to ultimate redemption. Those now being trained by God’s grace eagerly anticipate the eschatological future of leaving this world before the horrors of the tribulation come. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 that the believers in that Church were waiting for christ’s return. This is surely a reference to the rapture. The believers were looking for this personal return of Jesus at any moment. This is to be the proper attitude of the child of God, who is ever ready to welcome the returning Lord.

THE APPEARING OF THE GLORY OF GOD

This “appearing” is also translated else where as “brightness” as seen in Titus 2:11. “Glory” in the Greek text is doxa and refers to God’s reputation, honor, and radiance. Some render the passage as the “glorious appearing,” but the “appearing of the glory” is more literal and points to christ’s glorification now in heaven. His glory will appear! The Second instance of the article “the” is not in the Greek text, and the passage translate best without it: “the blessed hope, even appearing of the glory…. ” This implies that the reference is to one event viewed from two aspects. For believers, it is indeed the blessed hope and the longed for consummation of that hope.