Until He Appears!
"Looking for the
blessed hope and
glorious appearing of our great
God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Titus 2: 13
In Western Christendom, 'Epiphany' commemorates
the coming of the Magi, Christ’s first “appearance” to
the Gentile world. In the East, Epiphany celebrates
baptism of Jesus, commemorating His appearance
at the beginning of His public ministry.
Paul uses epiphany to refer to the first appearance
of Jesus (Titus 2:11), but more often to refer to His
Second Coming as in Titus 2:13.
He connects the two: The grace of God that appears
with Christ is grace teaching us to deny ungodliness,
worldly
lusts and to live “soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age” waiting for His “glorious appearing”
at the end of the age (Titus 2:12-13).
Christ’s first appearing revealed the grace
that teaches us how to live until
He appears
the second time.
We are saved by grace to be “zealous for
good works” until the appearance of our
Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:14).
"I cannot think of even one lonely passage in
the New Testament which speaks of Christ’s
revelation, manifestation, appearing or
coming
that is not directly linked with moral conduct,
faith and spiritual holiness."
A. W. Tozer
