“For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.”

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish followers by an unknown author. Some speculate that it was Paul who wrote it while others insist that it was another disciple, perhaps even Priscilla. But the authorship of this powerful book remains unsure to this day. However, the message of this book is certainly not unsure. Though written to first century Jewish followers of Jesus, it holds so many applicable truths for you and me today.  

As we consider the return of Jesus, today’s passage stood out to me. The author of Hebrews draws the reader’s attention back to two different Old Testament passages here. Knowing that the reader would most likely have grown up hearing these Scriptures, the author ties the Old Testament promise to the promise of our returning King and even the words of Jesus, Himself.  

The phrase “a little while” is a very specific phrase and is basically a flashing neon sign that is meant to point the reader back to Isaiah 26:20 in which the people of God were called to wait patiently for God to act. Isaiah writes to them to “Hide for a little while until indignation runs its course.” See, Isaiah and the people of God were living in a time where the promise of God was yet unseen. Isaiah wrote much about the coming Messiah and the promise of His rule and His righteousness. This reference to “a little while” reminds the reader that any delay on God’s part is not a failure of Him to act. But instead, as 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, God is not slow to act, but He is longsuffering, not wishing any to perish.  

The phrase “the Coming One shall come” is a reference to the Messiah (the Coming One- or literally “the one who comes”). This phrasing would point the reader back to Habakkuk and the vision that was said to be about to come. Donald Guthrie explains, “There is a different purpose, for the prophet was thinking of the threat from the Chaldeans. Here the thought is of the certainty of God’s intervention, which was particularly significant for the church in a time of persecution. The assurance that the coming one would not tarry shows that any delay should be regarded as temporary.”

Robert Jamison also explains, “In Habakkuk, it is the vision that is said to be about to come. Christ, being the grand and ultimate subject of all prophetical vision, is here made by Paul, under inspiration, the subject of the Spirit’s prophecy by Habakkuk, in its final and exhaustive fulfilment.” The idea here being that Christ alone is the final and complete fulfillment of that which Habakkuk, Isaiah, and all those who came before us hoped for in a redeemer. He is that which will finally and for all time deliver us from the trials, the wrath, and the waiting. He is the one who will bring our ultimate deliverance to pass.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes, God’s timeline feels so slow to me. We live in a “microwave” culture where we want it fast, and we want it now. The average attention span of people is lessening by the day. I’ll be the first to admit that I find myself impatient with a reel when it doesn’t get to the point in the first few seconds, or a book when the first chapter is too boring. I am tempted to switch to another show or movie if I am not captivated immediately, or I find myself pacing in frustration waiting for the tea kettle to boil. This irritability in me that I see reflected in so many others is not healthy and can often lead us to be impatient with others, with ourselves, and most damagingly with God.  

But God is long-suffering, not subject to the same impatience that we feel. He has a plan and He knows the perfect pacing and timing to execute that plan perfectly. The 2 Peter passage I mentioned earlier gives us a glimpse into why God is “slow” (in our estimation)- It’s because He doesn’t wish for any to perish!  

I have been picking my way through Hebrews in my own personal Bible time lately, and I remember reading Hebrews 11. The chapter concludes with these powerful verses that struck me so keenly: “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” (Verses 39-40)  

Did you catch that? The heroes of the faith that came before us did not glimpse the promise of God in their earthly lifetime. They passed from this life to the next still waiting for God to answer. Why? Because “God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” God did not want eternity without you and me. He didn’t want eternity that was lacking EVERY person who would receive Him! He is longsuffering because even from the foundations of the earth, He had you and me in mind! He was waiting for us!

Let that really sink in. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel SO loved. And it gives me so much hope when I am frustrated with the delay in Christ’s return. See, I live in a little bubble of my own existence, only seeing the world from my tiny perspective. But God sees it from an eternal perspective. He sees all of time at once because He is outside of it. He knows what the “fullness of time” is that the Bible speaks about. He knows how much time needs to exist for His plan to be made complete.  

So, the fact that I want Him to return soon or that I am tired of the trials of this world and the way it seems to just be spinning out of control does not supersede His perfect plan. I may look at the world from my perspective and assume He should come in my timing. But God sees the world from His perspective and knows ultimately the best time to come.  

So, as Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” (Galatians 6:9). God is faithful. He will return. And in the meantime, we can rest assured that He is in no hurry because He knows exactly the right time. He has His eyes on you and me. He has His eyes on those who have come before us and those who will come after us. He knows the right number of generations that need to pass and knows the perfect amount of human time needed to give all generations the chance to choose Him and enter into eternity with our King. And He is so good, so loving, and so long-suffering. We can trust Him.  

Jesus,

So many times I look around and I long for Your return. But You don’t operate on my timeline. Help me to be patient as I wait for Your return. Help me to live a life in expectation and on mission. Help me to partner with You to spread the Gospel and call the world to Your kingdom. I will trust You for the timing. Please guide me as I wait.  

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen