"epiphaneia" is a compound word made up of "epi" and "phaino."

"phaino" is translated "to manifest" or "to show."


It is also translated "to shine" in reference to the sun, moon and lamps in Rev. 1:16; 21:23; John 5:35 and 2 Peter 1:19.

The root word "phaino" is used in Colossians 3:4 two times,

"When Christ , who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

"epiphaneia" means "manifestation" or "glorious appearance." It was used to speak of a glorious manifestation of a Greek god that appeared with striking splendor with the intention of bringing helpful intervention.

"epiphaneia" is used to denote the sudden and unexpected appearance of an enemy who is bringing the battle to their opponents. It also is used of a god bringing helpful intervention during the battle. "epiphaneia" began to be used more generally to refer to divine assistance. Josephus used the word as a synonym for the Greek word "parousia"

In the New Testament "epiphaneia" is used most often for the future appearing of Jesus.

"Then the lawless one will be revealed (apokalupto), whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with thebreath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming." 2 Thessalonians 2:8

"I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time." 1 Timothy 6:14

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: PREACH the WORD! 2 Timothy 4:1, 8

"We wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great Godand Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:1

Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

The Greek Word "embateuo" means "to enter"

 "embateuon" is the present active participle of "embateuo" found in Colossians 2:18. It means "entering" but its translation is disputed since Paul does not use it with an object in this sentence. Paul writes to the Colossians:

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you fro the prize. Such a person goes into great detail  ("embateuon") about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." - Colossians 2:18

This verse is addressing the false philosophy/religion that had caused the Colossians to stumble in their Christian doctrine and their Christian walk. Paul uses pronouns like "anyone," "he," "his" and "him" in this verse to identify what seems to be a local shaman who must have served as a spiritual guide in the syncretism (mixed religious ideas) in Colossians. The people had become Christian, but continued to follow this man because of his "entering" or "embateuo." What did he enter into? Again, there is no object in Paul's sentence. There is simply a mention of his "entering" and having seen things? This word ("embateuo") has recently been found in a temple to Apollo 30 miles north of Ephesus in Greek inscriptions. The Greek inscriptions list the names of official delegates that had come to Apollo's temple to receive oracles. These visitors who wanted to receive an oracle had gone through two stages in the ritual. The first stage was the initiation where they were given the mysteries of the cult. The second stage was simply called "embateuo" or "the entering." This "embateuo" referred to the delegate entering the inner sanctuary for consultation with the the god or demon. The individual that was distracting the Colossian's spiritual growth appears to have "entered" into some temple, some heavenly sphere or some spiritual vision that was believed by the people to give that person some insight or wisdom from this superspiritual experience (or, experiences).


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

The Greek Word "apantesis" means "to meet"

apantesis is translated "to meet" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where Paul writes:

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

apantesis is a technical term in the ancient Greek that was used to describe a delegation of citizens from a city leaving their city in order to meet an arriving dignitary, ambassador or important government official in order to show their visitor honor and respect by ceremonially escorting them the rest of the way into their city. This was the custom of the Greek world that Paul was writing to.This word apantesis is also used in Matthew 25:6 when the wise virgins went "to meet" the bridegroom and Acts 28:15 when the Christian citizens of Rome "met" Paul south of the city to escort him into Rome.

Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

The Greek Word "Harpadzo" means "Rapture"

RAPTURE  - “harpagesometha” in First Thessalonians 4:17 is the future indicative passive of  “harpadzo” and means “to snatch up, to seize, to carry off by force, to rapture. The word often denotes the emotion of a sudden swoop, and usually that of a force which cannot be resisted.” An example of this Greek word’s use is seen in Acts 8:39 when the Holy Spirit physically took ("harpasen" the aorist indicative active of “harpadzo”) Philip away from the Ethiopian to be found later in the town of Azotus...There will be a rapture, but we will not be counting down when it happens!


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Mother's Day Special: My Wife and Our Six Sons in the News

My wife Toni and our six sons are featured on this news video clip from KCCI channel 8 Des Moines for Mother's Day 2011:

http://www.kcci.com/video/27820952/detail.html

Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com