Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
Greetings pilgrims,
I was going to put this in the Revelation and Eschatology forum but decided it's better here.
I have often laughed as I read the many places in the Bible that the Lord says He would do thus and such soon, or quickly, or the time is at hand, and the thing didn't take place for hundreds and even thousands of years.
When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in Revelation Chapter 2 and 3, I get it, soon meant soon. But there are many places in the Bible where soon does not mean soon at all.
I have been studying the early church from the Apostles to about 350 AD, and I have found these verses have contributed to much false hope and faulty doctrines of eschatology. The problem started even during the days of the Apostles. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 3:6-12) It seems that every generation thought that soon meant them; from the days of the first Christians and continuing today
So my question to you is, how are we supposed to take these verses, and when do we know soon doesn't mean soon and when it does?
Thanks.
Several examples verses in Revelation that have resulted in a lot of havoc over the years:
Revelation 22:6-7 ESV
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:10-12 ESV
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Revelation 22:20 ESV
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
I was going to put this in the Revelation and Eschatology forum but decided it's better here.
I have often laughed as I read the many places in the Bible that the Lord says He would do thus and such soon, or quickly, or the time is at hand, and the thing didn't take place for hundreds and even thousands of years.
When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in Revelation Chapter 2 and 3, I get it, soon meant soon. But there are many places in the Bible where soon does not mean soon at all.
I have been studying the early church from the Apostles to about 350 AD, and I have found these verses have contributed to much false hope and faulty doctrines of eschatology. The problem started even during the days of the Apostles. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 3:6-12) It seems that every generation thought that soon meant them; from the days of the first Christians and continuing today
So my question to you is, how are we supposed to take these verses, and when do we know soon doesn't mean soon and when it does?
Thanks.
Several examples verses in Revelation that have resulted in a lot of havoc over the years:
Revelation 22:6-7 ESV
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:10-12 ESV
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Revelation 22:20 ESV
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!