Many English bibles have problamatic renderings of the Greek word tachu in the Apocalypse of John (the book of Revelation). While I don’t know when Jesus is returning, I believe He didn’t say “soon” in 2.16, 3.11, 11.14, 22.7, 12, 20 of Revelation. The word tachu, in virtually every other instance in the N.T. (12 occurrences) is usually, (in the English), correctly translated: “quickly.”

Before Christ’s ascension, His disciples asked Him if He was going to restore Israel’s Kingdom at that time. His answer is revealing: It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority (Acts 1.7 ESV). Clearly, Jesus states that even broadly (“seasons”), the disciples are to be agnostic as to the timing of His return. Why would Christ, in the book of Revelation, say: I am coming soon? He was not speaking temporally, but in what manner He will act. He is saying “how” He will return, not “when.” Jesus will return quicky. He didn’t change His mind from what He told the disciples in Acts. In the 6 times tachu is used in Revelation, every reference speaks of manner rather than the timing of the event.

In Rom. 9.28, Paul says that the end times’ judgment will arrive swiftly: For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality (NIV). Paul quotes Isaiah 10.22 in Rom. 9.27 and gives a summary of the section in Isaiah 10.5-34 in Rom. 9.28. The “thorns and briars” will be swept away “in a single day” (Is.10.17). This is metaphorical language referring to the deeds of evil people (see David’s last words at 2Sam. 23.6-7). The “single day” in Is. 10.17 probably refers to The Day of The Lord, and thus fulfills the idea of swiftness. The “finality” Paul speaks about is connected to the quote in Isaiah 10.22-23 which Paul seems to summarize: Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth (ESV).

In the Book of Revelation tachu describes manner of judgment. This manner, or, how Christ’s return will play out, harkens back to descriptions from the O.T. Prophets. The Lord’s Parousia in the Prophets is always spoken of as being swift, never does He linger in meting out deserved punishment. Zephaniah 1.18 provides an example by using nibhalah (sudden):

Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the LORD.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth (ESV).