The term "imminent" refers to something that is about to happen or is impending. In a biblical context, it often relates to events that are expected to occur soon, particularly those concerning the return of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of end-time prophecies. The concept of imminence is a significant theme in Christian eschatology, emphasizing the need for readiness and vigilance among believers.

Biblical Context

1. The Imminence of Christ's Return: The New Testament frequently speaks of the return of Jesus Christ as an event that could happen at any moment. This sense of imminence is intended to encourage believers to live in a state of constant readiness and moral purity. In Matthew 24:44 , Jesus Himself warns, "For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect."

2. A Call to Watchfulness: The apostles echoed this call to vigilance. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 , Paul writes, "For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober."

3. The Urgency of Repentance and Faith: The imminent return of Christ serves as a powerful motivator for repentance and faith. In 2 Peter 3:9-10 , Peter explains, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief."

4. Living in Light of Imminence: The anticipation of Christ's imminent return influences Christian ethics and behavior. Believers are encouraged to live holy and godly lives, as seen in 1 John 3:2-3 : "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

5. The Imminence of Judgment: The Bible also speaks of the imminent judgment that accompanies Christ's return. Revelation 22:12 states, "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." This underscores the urgency of living a life that is pleasing to God, knowing that His judgment is near.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of imminence has profound theological implications. It underscores the sovereignty of God over time and history, affirming that He will bring His purposes to completion in His perfect timing. It also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of this world and the eternal significance of spiritual matters. The belief in the imminent return of Christ fosters a sense of hope and expectation, encouraging believers to focus on eternal realities rather than temporal concerns.

In summary, the concept of imminence in the Bible is a call to readiness, watchfulness, and faithful living in anticipation of the Lord's return. It is a reminder that the fulfillment of God's promises is certain and that His return is closer than ever.1. (a.) Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending; as in imminent danger.

2. (a.) Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.

3. (a.) (With upon) Bent upon; attentive to.

5031. tachinos -- swift
... Word Origin late form of tachus Definition swift NASB Word Usage imminent (1), swift
(1). shortly, swift. From tachos; curt, ie Impending -- shortly, swift. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5031.htm - 6k

Whether Fear Itself Can be Feared?
... the will. It is due to an extrinsic cause, in so far as it is a passion
resulting from the imagination of an imminent evil. In this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear itself can be.htm

The Kingdom of God.
... he were right in his expectation, or wrong, still it would be clear that such was
his expectation; that he considered the danger as imminent, the warning as ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon ix the kingdom of.htm

That Sometimes Lighter vices are to be Left Alone, that More ...
... And, if the one cannot be restrained from causing the death which is imminent unless
the other which is contrary to it increase, the preacher must be content ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxviii that sometimes lighter.htm

Whether Sudden Things are Especially Feared?
... I answer that, As stated about [1388](A[3]; Q[41], A[2]), the object of fear is
an imminent evil, which can be repelled, but with difficulty. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sudden things are especially.htm

Whether He who Raises Anyone from the Sacred Font is Bound to ...
... Reply to Objection 1: Where the danger is imminent, the godparent, as
Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. vii), should be someone "versed ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether he who raises anyone.htm

Our Lord Himself Spoke of his Return in the Language of Imminency.
... to such an extent that as a matter of fact they presented no necessary obstacles
to the first century saints who believed in the Imminent appearing of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 our lord himself spoke.htm

The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... 5. THE MILLENNIUM. IV. ITS DATE. 1. DAY AND HOUR UNKNOWN. 2. RECOGNIZING THE "SIGNS."
3. IMMINENT. A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. I. ITS IMPORTANCE. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm

Affairs in the West
... The miserable Romans, crippled by Alaric's possession of Ostia and by imminent
starvation, were barely able to pay the ransom which Alaric demanded, and in ...
/.../chapter lxx affairs in the.htm

Lessons from the Angelus
... Let us gather the conception of an imminent God; that is the theological word for
it, and it is a splendid word, Immanuel"God with us"an inside God, an ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/lessons from the angelus.htm

The Fulfilment
... stood, crossed the great causeway leading toward the Royal Portico and after him
six thousand blind and insane enthusiasts followed, expecting imminent miracle ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiii the fulfilment.htm

Imminent (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand;
impending; as in imminent danger. ...Imminent (3 Occurrences). ...
/i/imminent.htm - 7k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... Judah had suffered much from the proud Assyrian, and it is not difficult to understand
how, with the doom of the cruel oppressor imminent, a prophet-patriot ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)

/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... Western Asia about 625 BC At the time the prophecy was delivered their advance against
Egypt seems to have been still in the future, but imminent (Zechariah 1 ...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Impending (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Impend. 2. (a.) Hanging over; overhanging; suspended so as to menace;
imminent; threatening. Multi-Version Concordance Impending (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/impending.htm - 7k

Immigrants (1 Occurrence)

/i/immigrants.htm - 6k

Firm (111 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 1:10 He it is who rescued us from so imminent a death, and will do
so again; and we have a firm hope in Him that He will also rescue us in all ...
/f/firm.htm - 34k

Future (88 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 1:10 He it is who rescued us from so imminent a death, and will do
so again; and we have a firm hope in Him that He will also rescue us in all ...
/f/future.htm - 33k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... The same word expresses the failure of David's strength when in conflict with the
same foes, which led to his imminent peril and to the consequent refusal of ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Thomas (12 Occurrences)
... In John 11:1-54, when Jesus, despite imminent danger at the hands of hostile Jews,
declared His intention of going to Bethany to heal Lazarus, Thomas alone ...
/t/thomas.htm - 17k

Can the return of Christ truly be said to be imminent? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus coming soon? | GotQuestions.org

How are we to live our lives in light of Christ's return? | GotQuestions.org

Imminent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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