Twinkling
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The term "twinkling" is most notably referenced in the New Testament, specifically in the context of eschatological events. The Apostle Paul uses this term in his first letter to the Corinthians to describe the suddenness and rapidity of the transformation that will occur at the resurrection of the dead and the rapture of the living believers at the return of Christ.

Biblical Reference:

1 Corinthians 15:52 : "in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

In this passage, "twinkling of an eye" is used to convey the immediacy and swiftness of the event. The Greek word translated as "twinkling" is "rhipe," which suggests a rapid movement or a flicker, akin to the blink of an eye. This metaphor emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the transformation that believers will undergo, highlighting the power and sovereignty of God in orchestrating the end times.

Theological Significance:

The use of "twinkling" in this context underscores the hope and assurance that Christians have in the promise of resurrection and eternal life. It reflects the belief in the imminent return of Christ, a core tenet of Christian eschatology. The transformation "in the twinkling of an eye" signifies the completion of God's redemptive plan, where mortality is swallowed up by immortality, and believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ.

Related Concepts:

· Resurrection: The doctrine of the resurrection is central to Christian faith, affirming that just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will all believers be raised to eternal life. The "twinkling of an eye" moment is a pivotal aspect of this belief, marking the transition from the temporal to the eternal.

· Rapture: In some Christian traditions, the "twinkling of an eye" is associated with the rapture, where believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event is characterized by its suddenness and is often linked with the sounding of the "last trumpet."

· Eschatology: The study of end times, or eschatology, encompasses the events described in 1 Corinthians 15:52. The "twinkling of an eye" is a key element in understanding the sequence and nature of these future events as revealed in Scripture.

Practical Implications:

For believers, the concept of the "twinkling of an eye" serves as a reminder to live in readiness and anticipation of Christ's return. It encourages a life of holiness and devotion, knowing that the fulfillment of God's promises could occur at any moment. This expectation fosters a sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel and living out one's faith in a world that is transient and fleeting.

In summary, the "twinkling of an eye" is a powerful biblical metaphor that captures the sudden and transformative nature of the resurrection and the return of Christ. It is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming the certainty of God's promises and the ultimate victory over death.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Twinkle.

2. (n.) The act of one who, or of that which, twinkles; a quick movement of the eye; a wink; a twinkle.

3. (n.) A shining with intermitted light; a scintillation; a sparkling; as, the twinkling of the stars.

4. (n.) The time of a wink; a moment; an instant.

Greek
4493. rhipe -- any rapid movement, spec. a twinkling (of lights or ...
... a twinkling (of lights or the eye). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
rhipe Phonetic Spelling: (hree-pay') Short Definition: a glance, twinkle (of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4493.htm - 6k
Library

The Man who Owed Many Talents.
... as also it is written in Ezekiel, to those who are appointed to attend to punishments,
"Begin ye with My saints;" [6105] and it is like "the twinkling of an eye ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/10 the man who owed.htm

Every Corporeal Conception must be Rejected, in Order that it May ...
... darkness of corporeal images and the clouds of phantasms will put themselves in
the way, and will disturb that calm which at the first twinkling shone forth to ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 every corporeal conception must.htm

John is Rather to be Understood of Our Perfect Likeness with the ...
... of God." [929] And the immortality of the flesh will be perfected in that moment
of the resurrection, of which the Apostle Paul says, "In the twinkling of an ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 19 john is rather to.htm

The General Resurrection
... We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump,. ... In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. IV. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlii the general resurrection.htm

The Death of Death
... In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, (for the trumpet shall
sound;) and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the death of death.htm

To those who Say, "If the Resurrection is a Thing Excellent and ...
... back to the opposite end where he says, "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxii to those who say.htm

1 Cor. xv. 47
... be transformed into incorruption.". Ver.52. "In a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump.". After he had discoursed ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xlii 1 cor xv.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Here we dwell in this body of our
humiliation, but it shall undergo a change, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

The Apostles Referred to the Redeemer's Return in the Language of ...
... Said he, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1:Cor.15:51, 52). ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/2 the apostles referred to.htm

Faustus Quotes Passages to Show that the Apostle Paul Abandoned ...
... I show you a mystery; we shall not all be changed, but we shall all rise." [386]
Then he shows who are to be changed: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye ...
/.../faustus quotes passages to show.htm

Thesaurus
Twinkling (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A shining with intermitted light; a scintillation; a sparkling; as, the
twinkling of the stars. ... Multi-Version Concordance Twinkling (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/twinkling.htm - 7k

Moment (71 Occurrences)
... parautika, immediately," "forthwith"): "Moment" is not used in Scripture for a division
of time, but for an instant of time, as the wink or twinkling of the ...
/m/moment.htm - 29k

Twins (9 Occurrences)

/t/twins.htm - 8k

Twined (25 Occurrences)

/t/twined.htm - 13k

Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... is imperishable. (WEY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet ...
/i/imperishable.htm - 9k

Incapable (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of
the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised ...
/i/incapable.htm - 9k

Instant (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible ...
/i/instant.htm - 13k

Incorruptible (8 Occurrences)
... incorruptible. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the ...
/i/incorruptible.htm - 9k

Trumpet (74 Occurrences)
... for war? (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the ...
/t/trumpet.htm - 32k

Trump (2 Occurrences)
... See MUSIC. Multi-Version Concordance Trump (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 15:52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. ...
/t/trump.htm - 8k

Resources
What is the blessed hope? | GotQuestions.org

What is glorification? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? | GotQuestions.org

Twinkling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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