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It looks, therefore, as though the "ages" begin and end with the present creation, while
the Mystery goes back before the ages for its inception, and anticipates the new creation
in its present character and calling.
In contrast with the period denominated "before the age times" is the "now" of the
succeeding verse in II Timothy, and the "due times" in Titus.
"Before the age times, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, Who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel; whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the
Gentiles; for the which cause I also suffer these things" (II Tim. 1: 9-12).
"Before the age times, but hath in due times manifested His word through preaching,
which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour"
(Titus 1: 2, 3).
If, as we have seen, the phrase "before the age times" is characteristic of the Mystery,
the evident parallelism of the two passages makes it impossible to place the epistle to
Titus anywhere except after Acts 28:
The Apostle uses a very unusual word in connection with the birth and earthly
ministry of Christ--he speaks of it as an "appearing" or "manifestation". This word
epiphaneia usually refers to the Saviour's future "manifestation", as in II Tim. 4: 1, 8;
Titus 2: 13; I Tim. 6: 14; and II Thess. 2: 8. The verbal form phaneroo is also found
in Col. 3: 4. Before going further it will perhaps be helpful if we see all these passages
together:
"The Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing
(epiphaneia) and His kingdom" (II Tim. 4: 1).
"A crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . . . shall give me at that day: and not
to me only, but unto all them also that have loved His appearing (epiphaneia)"
(II Tim. 4: 8).
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing (epiphaneia) of the glory of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2: 13).
"That Wicked . . . . . whom the Lord shall consume . . . . . with the brightness
(epiphaneia) of His coming (parousia)" (II Thess. 2: 8).
"Keep this commandment . . . . . until the appearing (epiphaneia) of our Lord Jesus
Christ" (I Tim. 6: 14).
"When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear (phaneroo), then shall ye also appear
(phaneroo) with Him in glory" (Col. 3: 4).
The particular aspect of the Second Coming referred to in II Thess. 2: is that of the
parousia, a term used throughout the Scriptures covered by the hope of Israel. All the
other passages quoted above refer to the hope of the church. As, however, we must go
into this question thoroughly when dealing with II Tim. 4: 1 and 8, we will not say
anything more for the moment.
II Timothy, Titus, and I Timothy all use the word "appearing" in connection with
both the first and the second advents. We have already mentioned the dual reference of
II Tim. 1: 9 and 4: 8, and we must now add Titus 3: 4, and I Tim. 3: 16: