Die telos van die openbaring van die wederkoms in die Nuwe Testament: ʼn openbaringshistoriese studie, met besondere fokus op die begrip παρουσία

Abstract

Die titel is: “Die telos van die openbaring van die wederkoms in die Nuwe Testament: ʼn openbaringshistoriese studie, met besondere fokus op die begrip παρουσία.” Die doel van die studie is om eksegeties-openbaringshistories vas te stel wat die geopenbaarde doel van die openbaring van die wederkoms in die Nuwe Testament is. Met ander woorde: Met watter telos openbaar God die feit dat Jesus Christus weer gaan kom aan sy kerk? ʼn Woordstudie word oor die woorde ἀποκαλύπτω, ἀποκάλυψις, ἐπιϕάνεια, ἒρχομαι, ἡμέρα, παρουσία en ϕανερόω gedoen. Die studie toon aan dat, hoewel die woorde almal na die wederkoms kan verwys, die woorde nie as volledige sinonieme hanteer kan word nie. Die gebruik van hierdie woorde in die Nuwe Testament word eksegeties-openbaringshistories ondersoek om tot ʼn geheelbeskrywing van die telos van die openbaring van die wederkoms te kom. Die studie toon aan dat die telos van die openbaring van die wederkoms in drie hoofdoelwitte omskryf kan word, naamlik: 1. Om kennis oor te dra. 2. Om gelowiges in die geloof te versterk. 3. Om gelowiges tot ʼn daadkragtige geloofslewe aan te spoor. Elke hoofdoelwit kan onderverdeel word in temas wat die telos van die openbaring van die wederkoms verder verwoord: Die telos om kennis oor te dra, word in twee temas verwoord: Die wederkoms word geopenbaar met die telos om kennis oor die wyse van die wederkoms oor te dra. Die wederkoms word geopenbaar met die telos om kennis oor te dra wat dwaalleer weerlê en misleiding voorkom. Die telos om gelowiges in die geloof te versterk, word in sewe temas verwoord: Om die sekerheid te gee dat die wederkoms beslis sal plaasvind. As aanmoediging tot bekering. As aanmoediging om in die ware geloof te volhard. Om te troos. Om geloofsekerheid te bevorder. Om waaksaamheid te bevorder. Om Woordbedienaars te bemoedig. Die telos om gelowiges tot ʼn daadkragtige geloofslewe aan te spoor, word in agt temas verwoord: As aanmoediging om voor te berei vir die koms van die Here. As aanmoediging om die Here getrou te dien. As aanmoediging om heilig te lewe. As aanmoediging tot gebed. As aanmoediging om die Woord te verkondig. As aanmoediging om liefde te bewys. As aanmoediging om kalm te bly. As aanmoediging om die Skrif lief te hê en reg te hanteer. The title is: “The telos of the revelation of the second coming in the New Testament: a revelation-historical study, with particular focus on the concept παρουσία.” The aim of this study is to exegetically determine, by means of the revelation-historical method, what the revealed purpose of the revelation of the parousia in the New Testament is. In other words: What is God’s telos in revealing to the church that Jesus Christ will come again? The study includes word studies of the words ἀποκαλύπτω, ἀποκάλυψις, ἐπιϕάνεια, ἒρχομαι, ἡμέρα, παρουσία and ϕανερόω. The study shows that, although all of these words may refer to the parousia, they cannot be treated as complete synonyms. The use of these words in the New Testament are exegetically investigated by means of the revelation-historical method with the purpose of arriving at an overall description of the telos of the revelation of the second coming. The study shows that the telos of the revelation of the parousia can be defined in three revelational objectives, namely: 1. To transfer knowledge. 2. To strengthen believers in the faith. 3. To encourage believers to practice their faith powerfully. Each main objective can be divided into themes which further articulate the telos of the revelation of the second coming: The telos of transferring knowledge can be divided into two themes: The parousia is revealed with the telos of transferring knowledge about the parousia itself. The parousia is revealed with the telos of transferring knowledge to refute heresy and avoid deception. The telos of strengthening believers in the faith can be divided in seven themes: To give the assurance that the second coming will definitely take place. As an encouragement for conversion. As an encouragement to persevere in the faith. To console. To promote religious conviction. To promote alertness. To encourage ministers of the Word. The telos of encouraging believers to practice their faith powerfully can be divided in eight themes: As an encouragement to prepare for the coming of the Lord. As an encouragement to serve the Lord faithfully. As an encouragement to live a holy life. As an encouragement to prayer. As an encouragement to preach the Word. As an encouragement to express love. As an encouragement to remain calm. As an encouragement to love the Scriptures and handle them correctly.