Page 38 - Eschatology - Student Ebook

Study Section 5: When is Jesus Coming?

5.1 Connect

Often you will see two old people get together and talk about “the good old days.” They talk
about how you could let your kids play all over the neighborhood without fear of them being
taken. They talk about never locking their doors because the neighborhood was safe and
there was very little threat of theft. Neighbors used to borrow a cup of sugar from each
other. They talk about how families ate together at the table and thanked God for the food.

Now days, you don’t dare let your kids roam or even play out in the front yard, less they be stolen by sex
traffickers. Everything must be locked up and alarm systems installed; windows must have burglar bars
to keep out the thieves. Neighborhoods are isolated and many don’t know who lives next door. Seldom
do families eat together and when they do, very few people acknowledge that the food is a gift from
God. What has happened? Why is society so much more pagan than ever?

The Bible tells us the condition of mankind shortly before the conclusion of history. Today we are going
to look at that and as we do, see if you can identify how the description of mankind in the last days fits
the condition of most people today.

5.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to determine if the time of Jesus’s coming can be known.

2. The student should be able to explain how one man can control the economy of the world.

3. The student should be able to describe the condition of mankind before the last days begin.

5.3 Well then, is Jesus coming soon?

Soon is a relative term. If you are microwaving popcorn, soon means within the next three
minutes. If you are awaiting the birth of a child, soon can mean anything up to nine months. So
when we ask, “Is Jesus coming soon?” we have to qualify the meaning of soon.

Jesus Himself said that He is coming soon: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am
coming soon’” (Revelation 22:20). And then John adds these words: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
John’s book was penned nearly two thousand years ago, which leads many people to wonder what Jesus
meant by “soon.”

The Greek word tachu, which is translated “soon” or “quickly,” means “without unnecessary delay.” It
does not mean “immediately.” The same word is used in other places in the New Testament, but,
interestingly, it is used most often by Jesus in the book of Revelation (Revelation
2:16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7, 12, and 20). The meaning seems to be that events have been set in motion that
will usher in His arrival without any unnecessary delay. Everything is moving along according to God’s
timetable.

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