The Greek epiphaneia (G2015) means a shining forth, manifestation, or visible appearing. In the Pastoral Epistles, it is the dominant word for the second coming of Christ. Paul writes of 'the appearing (epiphaneia) of our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Timothy 6:14); Timothy is charged to 'keep this command until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.' In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul looks forward to 'a crown of righteousness... to all who have longed for his appearing (epiphaneia).' In 2 Timothy 1:10, the first coming is also an epiphaneia.
The epiphaneia of Christ is simultaneously past (the incarnation β 2 Timothy 1:10: 'the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death') and future (the return β Titus 2:13: 'while we wait for the blessed hope β the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ'). The Christian life is oriented between these two poles. The epiphaneia to come is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 as the event that destroys the lawless one: 'the splendor of his coming' β the mere appearing of Christ brings judgment upon darkness.