The Speed Of Things in the Last Days

γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει (to take place with speed)

I believe, along with other believers, that there is an acceleration of end time events. Things are speeding up in terms of biblical prophecy. There is so much drastic change occurring in our world in anticipation of the coming Apocalypse of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything seems to be on fast forward. In the above passage from Revelation chapter one, verse one, this end time speed of things is foretold. Before we look closely at this passage, let me cite from J.A. Seiss, author of that great work "The Apocalypse," about the prophecies of the Apocalypse and Second Coming of Christ. Seiss says in chapter one (See here):

"It is always important for us to be forwarned with regard to the future. It is our nature to be forecasting, and it is one of the necessities of our wellbeing to be able to anticipate with accuracy, at least with regard to the leading things that shall concern us. He who does not shape the conduct of today with reference to some end foreseen or calculated on for some other day, is a mere fool and madman, whether it be in the things of God, or in the things of the world. And in this book we are certified beforehand of what God hath determined concerning the future — what the devout may hope for, what the indifferent and unbelieving have to fear, wherein the true safety and consolation of man is to be found, what tribulations are to come upon the world, and what birth pangs are yet to be passed through to reach that Golden Age of which prophets and poets of all nations and times have spoken."

Amen. With that in mind, let us ask what is meant by "things that must shortly come to pass." (kjv)

"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." (Rev. 1: 1 kjv)

Soon, shortly, or quickly come to pass, means to happen with speed, haste, swiftness, etc. It is used adverbially in Luke 18: 8 ("en tachei" as in Rev. 1: 1) and means without delay, at once, speedily, rapidly, etc. Tachos is also used in the last chapter of Revelation (22: 6) where it is written "to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place." The idea of tachos is better understood as meaning swiftly, speedily, or rapidly. It means that once God begins to act he will move fast and accomplish his purposes in a relatively short time.

The commentators at preceptaustin web page say (See here):

"shortly take place - Shortly is ἐν τάχει [en tachei]. Considerable discussion attends the meaning of this phrase. Three alternatives are before us: 

 

1. The phrase requires all of the events set forth in the book to have transpired within the lifetimes of John’s initial readers (the preterist interpretation). 

2. The phrase denotes events which may be in the distant future, but which transpire in rapid sequence once they begin. 

3. The phrase denotes closeness in time, but from God’s perspective. 

The phrase ἐν τάχει [en tachei] (“shortly”) occurs in the following NT passages: 

 

“he will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:8) God will avenge His elect who cry out day and night though he bears long with them. 

“Arise quickly” (Acts 12:7) 

“going there shortly” (Acts 25:4) 

“get out of Jerusalem quickly” (Acts 22:18) 

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20) 

“I hope to come to you shortly” (1Ti. 3:14) 

“things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 22:6+) (after which Jesus says “I am coming quickly” ἔρχομαι ταχύ [erchomai tachy])" 

The question then becomes one of whether it denotes the manner in which events will transpire (rapidly) or the certainty and imminency of the events? I take it to mean the former. If I thought the latter, I would be a "Preterist" and believe all prophecies of the Apocalypse were fulfilled in the first century. But, being a "Futurist," I believe "things which must take place speedily" means that once the prophesied events begin to happen, it will be like dominoes falling. There is a chronology of events given us in the Apocalypse and many err for not following that chronology. Things in the Apocalypse happen sequentially, and once the first event occurs (first domino falling), things happen rapidly, though spanning several years. Though "en tachei" may denote imminency in some contexts, it also sometimes denotes swiftness of action when once the action begins. The context of the Apocalypse shows that the latter is the meaning intended.

Said the same commentators (emphasis mine): 

"Some understand the primary meaning of en tachei in this passage as denoting the manner in which the events transpire: tachy does not mean soon but swiftly. It indicates rapidity of action, as is well seen in its accurate use in the medical compound tachycardia (tachy and kardia = the heart), which does not mean that the heart will beat soon, but that it is beating rapidly. Of course, the swift action may take place at the very same time, as in Mat. 28:7-8 . . .—G. H. Lang, The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Selected Studies (Miami Springs, FL: Conley & Schoettle Publishing Co., 1945, 1985), 387-88."

I agree.

Said the same writer:

"Not only is there a preponderance of lexical support for understanding the tachos family as including the notion of “quickly” or “suddenly,” there is also the further support that all the occurrences in Revelation are adverbs of manner. These terms are not descriptive of when the events will occur and our Lord will come, but rather, descriptive of the manner in which they will take place when they occur.

Both futurists and nonfuturists . . . agree that the idea of tachos here has to do with swiftness of execution when the prophetic events begin to take place. . . . Both certainty and rapidity of action are involved here. Whatever seeming delay there is, action is certain and it will be swift."

Again, I fully agree.

In "REVELATION: THE "DIVINE TACHOMETER" (See here) a writer wrote:

 

"A tachometer is an instrument for measuring speed, revolutions per minute (RPM) displayed on a dial. Tachometer comes from Greek táchos for "speed") and métron for "measure". In short a tachometer measures velocity, how fast a car is going. When the motor is off the tachometer is not moving. But once the motor is turned on the tachometer moves. By the same token, when the events of Revelation begin to take place, they will move speedily. The divine tachometer will be spinning fast. When the first Seal on the scroll is broken by Jesus, the events in the Revelation of Jesus Christ begin to move quickly and irrevocably toward the consummation of this present age in which we now live." 

Amen. My views exactly. Lehman Strauss, bible teacher, says - 

"When the things in this book come to pass, they will "speedily happen." God has borne along with men patiently, and while some ridicule the prophecies of this book, they fail to see that God is longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9+). But the end will come, and when it does it will be marked by suddenness and swiftness. The events will come to pass speedily. Thus the purpose of the Revelation is to show beforehand those things that will speedily happen." (Ibid)

"I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18: 8)

In closing I repeat the observation - things are happening fast. It can make your head spin and cause anxiety. Yet, they will get even faster. When the first seal of the Apocalyptic scroll is opened, and Christ comes upon his white horse, so too will come his wrath and judgment upon all who dwell upon the earth. What are the first events of the Apocalypse? The coming of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Are we beginning to see that now with civil conflicts and rampant murders, famine, and pandemics? If so, then it will get much worse quickly. Let us be prepared, be like the five wise virgins (Matt. 25). 

My series on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are worth reading.