Yes, Jesus is coming soon. He said so Himself in the book of Revelation: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon'" (Revelation 22:20). The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation two thousand years ago, so what does the word "soon" really mean? Can we predict when Jesus will return?
In this passage, the Greek word translated as "soon" is tachu, and its definition is "without unnecessary delay." This leaves a lot of space for "soon" to be a relative term, and it shows us that we cannot translate "soon" to fit our own timeline preference or definition of what "soon" should mean. The word tachu is used throughout the New Testament, but its primary use is in the book of Revelation when Jesus is speaking (Revelation 2:16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7, 12, and 20). Jesus' use of this word shows us that things move on His timeline and they will happen when they are meant to happen. We do not know when it will be, but we can have confidence in the fact that He has the plan in motion.
Sometimes it is tempting for us to doubt God's timeline, because it feels like what He has promised should have happened by now. We see all of the pain, suffering, and injustice in the world and desire Jesus' return. The apostle Peter offers some valuable insight: "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:8–9). While we are left on earth, feeling impatient, God is patiently waiting in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to repent and turn to Him.
The apostles often refer to it being the "last days" in their epistles and they exhort believers to be ready for Christ's return (1 Peter 1:20; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2). Jesus told His followers to be ready for His return (Luke 12:40; 21:34–36; Mark 13:33). The Bible makes it clear that we should always be anticipating the rapture, for Christ could return at any time, but no one knows exactly when that day will be (see Matthew 24:36). This seemingly vague timing is for a purpose; Jesus wants each person and each generation to live with the understanding that He may return at any moment. It is up to us to be ready for Him (Luke 12:38). We can say with confidence that Jesus is coming soon, because we know that He is coming "without unnecessary delay."
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