The Politics of the Message, Part 3 – Apantesis
February 8th, 2007 by JohnO
Time for the third word – apantesis, in Greek απαντησιs. In the NT, this word is only used two other times besides this passage in 1 Thess 4:16 (Matt 25:1 and once in Acts). This word is used very specifically. It means to meet and then return with. In the parable of the bridgegroom we can see this is exactly the meaning, the virgins go out to meet the bridgegroom and return with him. I hope you’re not suprised, but the Caesars used this word of themselves also. The Caesars had welcoming parties, Chrysostom wrote:
For when a king drives into a city, those who are honorable go out to meet him; but the condemned await the judge within. And upon the coming of an affectionate father, his children indeed, and those who are worthy to be his children, are taken out in a chariot, that they may see him and kiss him; but the housekeepers who have offended him remain within
Chrysostom writes that (in his Homilies) upon thinking of these very same passages in 1 Thess. Doesn’t that have a striking similarity to the parables of Jesus concerning the Kingdom and the disobedient servants? Cicero says of Julius Caeser:
Just imagine what a meeting/royal welcome (απαντησιs) he is receiving from the towns, what honors are paid to him
Josephus also recognizes the use of απαντησιs this way. K. P. Donfried writes:
… All of this, coupled with the use of evangelion and its possible association with the eastern ruler cult [the belief that the ruler was divine] suggests that Paul and his associates could easily be understood as violating “the decrees of Caeser” in the most blatent manner.
Do you see how clear this picture applies to Jesus? All those on his side go up to the air to meet their King. Those who are surprised at his coming are on earth hiding in fear. Their judgment will come soon when Jesus descends from heaven with all the saints ushering him in. When Jesus preached the Gospel, this coming (in his reference, “the son of Man” based on Daniel 7) was the ultimate focus. Paul believes exactly that. It is no coincidence that the passage of 1 Thess 4:13-5:11 matches on so many levels the passages of Matthew 24. From the coming in glory on the clouds, to the warning to be sober. This ultimate focus of the Day of the LORD, or the day of judgment is the very beginnings of Apocalyptic thought, which we’ll touch on next.
As a side note - the understanding of απαντησιs presented here rules out any possibility of an invisible rapture theology. But that was a side-point I didn’t want to bring it up in the article.
I agree, learning an understanding of the word, “apantesis” as going to meet a dignitary in order to escort him to his destination really helps us understand the parousia (coming of Christ). Too much is left up to the imagination in 1 Thessalonians 4. Paul cuts off with meeting him in the air to be with the Lord forever. However, just knowing that the word, “meet” is the word, “apantesis” helps us tremendously and reconnects 1 Thess 4 with the rest of Scripture concerning the coming of Christ (Mat 24.29-31; Dan 7.13-14; 1 Cor 15; etc.)