20160813 Saturday, August 13 2016
2 Corinthians 13: Apocalypse Now

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness"

The English-language rendering of "apocalypse" is from the Greek word, pronounced apokalypsis. Although it's often used to describe a great devastation or calamity, the literal meaning of apocalypse is simply an unveiling, or revealing, of what is true. Hence the word revelation, from which the Book Of Revelation (or, perhaps more accurately, revelations, since it reveals many things) takes its name (see also Revelation: Thy Kingdom Come).

A "reprobate" is someone who refuses to make good use of the understanding of the Word of God that is revealed to them. Reprobates know better, but they don't and won't do better because they "hold the Truth in unrighteousness":

"1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1:18-19 KJV)

The English-language word "vile" (from which we get the word villain) is defined as "morally reprehensible" - a flagrant violation of what is truly good (see Iniquity In History And Prophecy and Is Iniquity Liberal Or Conservative?; also Strait And Straight and Which Way Is Right And Left?). In the Holy Bible, "vile affections" means to love what is vile, regardless of what form the villainy is manifested.

A "reprobate" mind inevitably produces all sorts of "vile affections" - for things, or for people (see The History Of Idolatry).

"1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:26-32 KJV)

The apostle Paul's closing of his second letter to the Christians at Corinth (see also 1 Corinthians: That Rock Was Christ and 2 Corinthians: The Devil's Fight Along The Way) included a warning against becoming reprobate ("Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"). They knew the Truth, and from then on had no excuse to return to vile affections. For them, it was apocalypse now.

"13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13:13 All the saints salute you. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas." (2 Corinthians 13:1-14 KJV)

Fact Finder: What "apocalypse" did the Messiah provide?
See The Apocalypse Of Jesus Christ