1. Revelation 22:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is meant by the word “soon”?

Revelation 22:6 (ESV)

6 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.”

The word translated as soon conveys the notion not of momentarily or shortly but of hastily, speedily. There is much for the ascended Christ to do as he gathers to himself all those of all times and places whom the Father has given to him (John 17:2–3). With the word soon, the Lord reassures readers of this Revelation that he speeds things along as fast as he can to hasten his return.