What about Jesus’s promise to return quickly? How can we know when that day is coming? Let’s talk about these important questions.
“Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 22:7).
In Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, Jesus promises to return “quickly”. However, nearly two millennia have passed since He made that promise. What did Jesus mean by quickly.
The New Testament was written in Greek and later translated into English. As a result, English translations may not fully convey all the nuances of the original Greek words. The context in which we use a word plays a crucial role in determining its precise meaning. For example, the Greek word that Jesus uses is ταχυ, which generally translates to “quickly” in English.
Jesus’ Intention Means “Promptly.”
In this context, Jesus’ intention means “promptly.” He will return at the appropriate time when conditions are favorable. This is similar to a supervisor telling an employee in the morning that there will be a meeting at 3:00 p.m. and to be on time. The supervisor does not expect the employees to abandon their current tasks and wait in the meeting room; instead, they want them to remain focused on their work and arrive on time.
A few verses later in Revelation, Jesus reaffirms His promise,
“And behold, I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:12).
The Apostle Peter anticipated that scoffers would deny Jesus’ return, stating,
“Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Unbelievers may hope that Jesus’ delay means He will never return. However, Peter explains the reason for Jesus’ delay: It’s because He loves the scoffers and hopes they’ll come to faith:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Another few verses later, Jesus again reaffirms His promise to return:
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I (Jesus) am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
When God makes a promise, it is certain. In Hebrew culture, repeating something three times elevates it to a superlative degree. For instance, we worship God as “holy, holy, holy,” indicating that His holiness is the highest. This threefold affirmation underscores the certainty of His promised return. We can know with complete assurance that Jesus’ return will happen “promptly.”
When Will this Promised Return Happen?
So, when will this promised return happen? We don’t know, that’s why we stay alert. No revealed sign, nor event must occur; Jesus’ return is imminent.
God the Father has the privilege to decide when Jesus will return. Jesus said only the Father knows when:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
Only the Father Knows the Time
Jesus recognized that determining the timing is the Father’s role. In response, the Father assured Jesus that all He needs to do is ask, and He, the Father, will grant His request:
“The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:7-8).
All Jesus must do is ask, and the Father will send Him. The Father warns those who have not yet believed in the Son to “kiss the Son”—which means to believe in His name—so that they will be raptured with the Church when Jesus returns and will not have to endure the judgments of God’s wrath during the tribulation.
“Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way” (Psalm 2:11-12).
Conclusion
When the conditions are right, Jesus’ return will be swift. Some scoffers believe that the apparent delay in Jesus’ return means He will not come to judge them. However, God delays Jesus’ return out of love, hoping that these individuals will come to faith.
Jesus makes a threefold promise regarding His return, emphasizing its certainty. The Father determines the timing of Jesus’ return and has stated that all Jesus needs to do is ask. The Father also warns all unbelievers to “kiss the Son” to avoid perishing along the way.
