[Greek] φανερόω (phaneroō), [Latin] manifestare, [Latin] revelare, [Latin] ostendere, [Latin] apparere: to reveal, to make known, to show, to make visible, to make clear, to make manifest, to display; 58 scriptural references
The Final Judgment: painting by Franciso Pacheco (1614). Each one of us will come before the judgment seat of Christ. All our actions will be made manifest before Christ.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to make manifest, to reveal, to make clear, to make known (or famous), and become so. Herodotus’ The Histories 6.122.1 states “This Callias is worthy of all men’s remembrance for many reasons; first, because he excellently freed his country.” Sophocles’ Oedipus at Coluns states “A man who deals in fairness with his own, he can make manifest justice in the state.” In Timaeus, Plato refers to the Demiurge (artisan or craftsman) as the agent who takes the pre-existent matter in making the universe (cosmos) manifest to us.
Old Testament: This term means to uncover, to remove, to be make naked, to disclose, to reveal, to remove, and to carry away. Noah drank some wine, became drunk, and lay naked inside his tent (Gen.9:21). The Lord opened the eyes of Balaam (Num.22:31). I went so far as to reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt (1Sam.2:27). The bed of the sea appeared; the world’s foundations lay bare (2Sam.22:16). So one on the priests who had been deported from Samaria returned and settled in Bethel (2Kgs.17:28). It is then He opens their ears and with a warning, terrifies them (Job 33:16). And shelter over Judah is removed (Isa.22:8).
New Testament: This term, used in an active and passive sense, means to make known and to cause to be seen. There are numerous examples including aspects of God, the kingdom of heaven (entry into the sanctuary), and our intentions. In a proverbial saying, the Truth, like light, is meant to be made visible. God’s teachings are frequently made visible to all. The Corinthian community is Paul’s letter of recommendation written by the Spirit on the tablets of human hearts. We will must appear before Christ’s judgment seat. All of our actions will be made manifest before Him. For purposes of brevity, I will include scriptural examples other than aspects of God.
Scripture:
Mk.4:22: The kingdom is to be proclaimed and not be kept secret.
Jn.7:4: A disciple’s works must be known to the world.
1Cor.4:5 The Lord will make manifest the motives in our hearts.
2Cor.3:3: The Corinthians are a letter written on our hearts.
2Cor.5:10: We all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Heb.9:8: The way into the sanctuary had not yet been revealed. (Before Jesus, only the high priest (not the people) were able to stand in God’s presence.
Etymology: Interestingly, the Greek verb aphanizo means to vanish, to disappear, and to be removed out of sight. The Greek prefix (a-) means not or without. The Greek verb phaino means to cause to appear. The related Greek verb phaneroo conveys a more psychological sense. Rather than showing what is present, this term conveys one’s character, motivations or intentions to others.
Conclusion:
Manifest, manifestation, reveal, revelation, manifestly, appear, appearance
This term conveys more than just what is shown. This term provides insight into one’s character, intent, and motivations. It is interesting to note that Plato makes reference that a craftsman (artisan) makes the universe present to all. Plato did not yet get to the idea of God as the creator.
In the Old Testament, I was surprised by the many references of being made naked. In a more nuanced sense, uncovering relates to removing.
In the New Testament, this term is used quite extensively about revealing (manifesting) aspects of God. The Corinthian community is a letter of reference from Paul. Each one of us will have to account for ourselves at the judgment seat of Christ. It is here where our actions (good and bad) will be made manifest to Christ. (Remember this, abortion supporters. You may think that this is a right. However, you will also have to be accountable to God.) Truth, like the lamp, seeks to be made visible (manifest) to all. This term really shines a light on the nature of God.
Current events: This campaign and related debates have served to more fully illustrate the character of the politicians running for office. Oftentimes of what is said, not said, or even mistakenly said (making a gaffe) helps to manifest the true intentions of a candidate. (Can you say Joe Biden, the penultimate Washington swamp creature politician?) The same can be said for the actions (character) of a media who continue to censor, to brazenly protect political candidates, and to continually fail to manifest journalistic integrity. The media doesn’t even pretend to hide their bias (which reveals a lot). On the other hand, it is interesting to note that President Trump can still be seen as that outsider.
Update: Here we are now from the aftermath of this election. Joe Biden is declared the next President-Elect. And President Trump refusing to concede to this election, due to potential issues, concerns, or irregularities in the closeness in voting in Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. How one views this can be also manifested in one’s political perspective. As the Trump campaign initiates legal action, it remains to be seen how all this falls out as it pertains to the election. It is also very apparent that many will look at the validity (accuracy) of polling as it influences or manipulates (depresses or increases) vote turnout. It looks like polling is dead. So now we will be waiting for the results of the autopsy.
You must admit that this is a manifestly interesting term.
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