Greek Synonyms of Apocalypse:

            Four synonyms of apocalypse should also be studied, especially those in the immediate context, referring to the same event, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70:  elthe, translated ‘come,’ epiphany, translated ‘appearing,’ erchomenon, translated ‘manifestation,’ and parousia, translated ‘coming.’  See Appendix A – 1:1 Word Studies.)

            The term apocalypse in Luke 17:30 seems to correspond to the term erchomenon in the parallel passages in Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; and Luke 21:27.  In Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, and 39, the term parousia is used in the same context and apparently in reference to the same event.  In Luke 18:8 the term elthe is used with no discernable distinction of meaning insofar as the event described is concerned.  These passages refer to the “coming in/with/on the clouds.”  All of these passages are in the context of the statement that “this generation will not pass away till all has taken place,” thereby setting a time limit that could hardly have extended beyond the period of the destruction of Jerusalem.  (See also Commentary at 1:3 “Tests of a Prophet.”)

            Parousia and erchomenon are used synonymously in Matthew 24.  In verse 3 the subject of the question regards “the sign of thy coming, (parousia).”  After the description of the conditions and events leading up to it, Jesus speaks of the “coming (parousia) of the Son of Man” in verses 27, 37, and 39.  However, in verse 30, the term erchomenon is used when speaking of His “coming on the clouds.”  Apparently, from the context, this speaks of the same event as does verses 3, 27, 37, and 39 where the term parousia is used.

            The use of erchomenon is the favored form in the phrase “Son of Man coming on/in/with the clouds.”  A form of this word is used in Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27.  This is probably a formula for alluding to the vision of Daniel 7:13 and thus for identifying Christ as that “Son of Man.“  It would also invoke the memory of the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:9) when the cloud received Him out of their sight and the angel promised that His return would be as His going away.

            The term apocalypse is variously translated in 1 Cor. 1:7: ‘coming’ in the KJV, ‘revealing’ in the RSV.  In this passage the two words are interchangeable.

            The term apocalypse seems also to be used synonymously with the term elthe in 2 Thessalonians 1:7: “when the Lord Jesus is revealed, (apocalypsai),” and in 1:10: “when he comes, (elthe), on that day.”

            Immediately following this passage and in the same short epistle, 2 Thessalonians chapter two is introduced as “concerning the coming, (parousia), of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Since the apocalypse and the elthe were the subjects of discussion in chapter one, it seems that the parousia of chapter two is a continuation of the same subject.  Therefore parousia is another synonym of apocalypse and elthe.

            In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 the term parousia is used in conjunction with the term epiphaneia, translated “His appearing and His coming.”  This would indicate some shade of difference in meaning but would also indicate that the two words refer to the same event.  So in 2 Thessalonians chapters one and two, the terms apocalypse, elthe, parousia, and epiphany are all synonymous in their reference to the same event, the promised second coming of Jesus Christ.