Hold On, Coming Soon

Erik preached on Christ’s letter to the church in Philadelphia, a small but faithful congregation. He focused on Christ’s assurance to them, “I’m coming soon.”

“Soon” is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s a promise: not long! But on the other hand, it’s an acknowledgement: not yet! Not long but not yet. When you tell someone “soon,” chances are you’re actually asking for patience. It’s a way of buying time If you’ve managed children, you know: “soon” is one of the most powerful tools available to you when you’ve got impatient kids. The “not yet” is easier to accept when it’s paired with “not long!” I think that’s what’s happening here. Jesus acknowledges that the Christians in Philadelphia have been “enduring patiently” all the threats and temptations of the Roman empire. But he needs them to be patient a little longer. To buy a little time, a little patience, he offers them this double-edged word: Hold on, I’m coming soon. Not long, but not yet. Be patient.

tombstone from the Church of st. john in philadelphia