Verses¶
Question¶
What does "shortly come to pass" (en tachei) in Revelation 1:1 and 22:6 actually mean? Does it require fulfillment within John's generation, or does it describe the manner of divine action? And does the text show that fulfillment had already begun in John's time?
I. The Seven en tachei (G5034) Occurrences — Full Text with Context¶
1. Revelation 1:1-3 (en tachei + kairos engys)¶
1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Greek (1:1): ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει — "things which must come to pass in/with quickness" Greek (1:3): ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς ἐγγύς — "for the appointed season [is] near" Note: Dual temporal markers — en tachei (speed) + kairos engys (nearness)
2. Revelation 22:6-10 (en tachei + kairos engys — closing inclusio)¶
22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Greek (22:6): ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει — IDENTICAL formula to Rev 1:1 Greek (22:10): ὁ καιρὸς γὰρ ἐγγύς ἐστιν — "for the kairos is near" Note: Rev 22:10 = direct reversal of Dan 12:4 (seal vs. do not seal)
3. Luke 18:1-8 (en tachei + makrothumei — tension passage)¶
18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Greek (18:7): καὶ μακροθυμεῖ ἐπ' αὐτοῖς — "and is long-suffering over them" Greek (18:8): ποιήσει τὴν ἐκδίκησιν αὐτῶν ἐν τάχει — "he will execute their vindication en tachei" CRITICAL: en tachei combined with makrothumei (patience) + uncertain faith question
4. Acts 12:7 (en tachei — manner-of-action usage)¶
12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did.
Greek: Ἀνάστα ἐν τάχει — "Arise in/with quickness" Note: Pure manner-of-action: physical speed of getting up, not temporal prophecy
5. Acts 22:17-18 (en tachei — manner-of-action/urgency)¶
22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
Greek: ἔξελθε ἐν τάχει ἐξ Ἱερουσαλήμ — "depart en tachei from Jerusalem" Note: Urgent speed of departure, not temporal prophecy
6. Acts 25:4 (en tachei — temporal nearness)¶
25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Greek: ἑαυτὸν δὲ μέλλειν ἐν τάχει ἐκπορεύεσθαι — "himself was about en tachei to depart" Note: Straightforward temporal nearness — Festus plans to leave soon
7. Romans 16:17-20 (en tachei — eschatological with Gen 3:15 allusion)¶
16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Greek: ὁ δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης συντρίψει τὸν Σατανᾶν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας ὑμῶν ἐν τάχει Note: ~2,000 years later, this has not been consummated. Either Paul was wrong or en tachei means something other than "within your lifetimes."
II. The Seven tachy (G5035) Revelation Occurrences¶
Revelation 2:5 (conditional-disciplinary)¶
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:16 (conditional-disciplinary)¶
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 3:11 (transitional)¶
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 11:14 (narrative-sequential)¶
The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Revelation 22:7 (eschatological — first "I come quickly")¶
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:12 (eschatological — second, with reward)¶
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:20 (eschatological — third, emphatic with Nai)¶
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
III. The Daniel Allusion Passages¶
Daniel 2:28-29,44-45 (the "ha dei genesthai" source)¶
2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Aramaic (2:28): מָה דִּי לֶהֱוֵא בְּאַחֲרִית יֹומַיָּא — "what shall be in the latter days" LXX: ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν — "what must come to pass in the last of the days" Rev 1:1: ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει — "what must come to pass shortly/in quickness" CRITICAL SUBSTITUTION: Rev retains "ha dei genesthai" but replaces "ep' eschatou ton hemeron" with "en tachei"
Daniel 12:4,9 (the sealed book)¶
12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Hebrew (12:4): סְתֹם הַדְּבָרִים וַחֲתֹם הַסֵּפֶר עַד עֵת קֵץ — "stop up the words and seal the book until the time of the end"
Revelation 22:10 (the unsealed book — reversal)¶
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
CONTRAST: - Daniel: SEAL the book — "until the time of the end" (ad et qets) - John: DO NOT SEAL — "for the kairos is near" (ho kairos engys estin)
IV. The "Delay" Passages¶
2 Peter 3:1-15 (apostolic framework for the delay question)¶
3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 3:4 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 the creation. 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night... 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation...
Greek (3:9): οὐ βραδύνει (bradynei, G1019) — "does NOT delay" / ἀλλὰ μακροθυμεῖ (makrothumei, G3114) — "but is longsuffering" Three-part apostolic answer: (1) divine time perspective differs (v.8), (2) apparent delay is purposeful longsuffering (v.9), (3) coming is certain (v.10)
Hebrews 10:35-37¶
10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Note: Quotes Hab 2:3 LXX. Combines "a little while" with "will not tarry (chronisE, G5549)"
James 5:7-8¶
5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Note: makrothymeO (G3114) + "coming of the Lord draweth nigh" — same tension as Luk 18:7-8
Matthew 24:48-51 (delay parable — evil servant)¶
24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him...
Greek: χρονίζει (chronizei, G5549) — "is delaying/tarrying"
Matthew 25:1-13,19 (delay parable — ten virgins and talents)¶
25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour... 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Greek (25:5): χρονίζοντος (chronizontos, G5549) — "while he was tarrying" Greek (25:19): μετὰ... χρόνον πολύν — "after a long time (chronon polyn)"
V. The OT "At Hand" Prophetic Passages¶
Ezekiel 12:21-28 (prophetic "at hand" as rebuke)¶
12:22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? 12:23 Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease... but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision. 12:25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD. 12:27 Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off. 12:28 Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.
Hebrew (12:22): יַאַרְכוּ הַיָּמִים — "the days are prolonged" / וְאָבַד כָּל חָזֹון — "every vision fails" Hebrew (12:23): קָרְבוּ הַיָּמִים — "the days have drawn near" (Qal Perf 3p of קרב)
Zephaniah 1:14-18¶
1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath...
Hebrew: קָרֹוב... קָרֹוב וּמַהֵר מְאֹד — "near... near and hastening greatly" Note: DUAL markers: qarov (near, cf. engys) + maher (hastening, root of meherah H4120, cf. tachos)
Habakkuk 2:3¶
2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Hebrew: לַמֹּועֵד (lamo'ed) — "for the appointed season" (cf. kairos) Hebrew: אִם יִתְמַהְמָהּ חַכֵּה לֹו — "if it tarry, wait for it" Hebrew: בֹא יָבֹא לֹא יְאַחֵר — "it will surely come, it will not delay"
VI. The Patience/Endurance (hypomonE) Revelation Verses¶
Revelation 1:9¶
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:2-3¶
2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil... 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Revelation 2:19¶
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Revelation 3:10¶
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 13:10¶
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12¶
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
VII. The "Already Begun" Passages¶
Revelation 1:19 (three temporal categories)¶
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.
Greek: ἃ εἶδες (past/aorist) + ἃ εἰσὶν (present) + ἃ μέλλει γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα (about to happen after these things)
Revelation 12:1-12 (already-accomplished within the narrative)¶
12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down... 12:12 ...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (ὀλίγον καιρόν).
Greek (12:5): ἡρπάσθη (hErpasthE) — Aor Pass Ind — "was caught up" = completed event Greek (12:12): ὀλίγον καιρὸν (oligon kairon) — "a short/little season (kairos)"
Mark 1:15 (precedent for kairos + engys vocabulary)¶
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Greek: Πεπλήρωται ὁ καιρὸς καὶ ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ - πεπλήρωται — Perf Pass Ind — "has been fulfilled" (completed with ongoing result) - ἤγγικεν — Perf Act Ind — "has drawn near" (arrived and remains near) - Same kairos vocabulary as Rev 1:3 and 22:10
VIII. The "Little Season" Passages¶
Revelation 6:9-11 (chronon mikron)¶
6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God... 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season (χρόνον μικρόν), until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Greek: ἔτι χρόνον μικρόν (eti chronon mikron) — "yet a little time/duration" Note: Uses chronos (duration), not kairos (appointed season). Explicit temporal extension within the "shortly" framework.
Revelation 12:12 (oligon kairon)¶
...the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (ὀλίγον καιρόν).
Revelation 20:3 (mikron chronon)¶
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season (μικρὸν χρόνον).
IX. Additional Supporting Passages¶
Genesis 3:15 (for Rom 16:20 allusion)¶
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Psalm 90:4 (for 2 Pet 3:8 allusion)¶
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 (moral function of "speedily")¶
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Note: meherah (H4120) here functions as moral deterrent — when judgment is NOT executed "speedily," wickedness increases. The "shortly/speedily" language functions to prevent complacency, not merely to provide a calendar date.