John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you
and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.
Revelation 1:4
I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous,
O Lord,The One who is and who was and who is to be,
Because You have judged these things”
Revelation 16:5
Jesus always was, always is, and always will be. That’s the main idea in these verses, but timelines are a little blurred when it comes to Him who is eternal. Christ existed before time was conceived and will be so even when every clock and calendar have melted away. Therefore, things past and things future are written in the present tense in the book of Revelation.
The Apostle John had a vision of angels pouring out bowls of the wrath of God on planet Earth on the Day of Judgment and heard those same angels praising Him who is to be. This future event is so sure that it’s as if it already happened. It’s a done deal.
In the same way, the return of Christ is an absolute because He said it would happen. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
The imminent return of Christ was constantly on the minds of the Apostles and the New Testament church. The church in Thessalonica even thought that they blinked and missed it. During each of the ten major persecutions of the Roman Empire, Christians expected the Lord to come at any moment. Then, during the religious wars of the Reformation, and now with Christians tortured and killed for their faith in the Middle East, true believers expect the King of kings to return soon and very soon.
In C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, there is a dialogue between Aslan and Lucy: “Do not look sad. We shall soon meet again,” says Aslan. “Please, Aslan,” said Lucy, “What do you call soon?” “I call all times soon,” said Aslan; and instantly he vanished away.
The same Jesus Who is to Come is also The One Who is to Be.
January 30
