Instant Defined by Biblical Word Definitions
We use many words to define the words imminent, instant, or instantly including: abrupt, fast, immediate, instantaneous, prompt, quick, rapid, sudden, and unexpected. Scripture, likewise, uses many different words translated as imminent, instant, instantly, or suddenly.
It’s All Hebrew To Me . . . Older Covenant Words
Jeremiah 4:20 – “I see our tents suddenly [H6597] destroyed, their curtains torn down in an instant [H7281].”
Isaiah 29:5 – “It will happen suddenly [H6597], in a flash [H6621].”
• H7280 רָגַע raga and H7281 רֶגַע rega which both mean: a very short space of time – as in a wink of the eyes
• H6597 פִּתאוֹם pith’owm from H6621 פֶּתַע petha] which both mean: in a wink, i.e. moment
In the Older Covenant raga [H7280 רָגַע] and rega [H7281 רֶגַע from H7280] which both mean: a very short space of time – as in a wink of the eyes, are two words that Jeremiah uses frequently (see Jeremiah 4:20; 18:7; 18:9; 49:19; 50:44; Isaiah 47:9; Lamentations 4:6). Raga and rega are used 35 times.
Isaiah also uses the word pith’owm [H6597 פִּתאוֹם from petha פֶּתַע H6621] which both mean: in a wink, i.e. moment (Isaiah 29:5; 30:13). Pith’owm and petha are used 32 times.
However, we need to understand that a wink is not a blink, but is just a very short space of time, as in quickly.
It’s All Greek To Me . . . Newer Covenant Words
Matthew 20:34 – “Yeshua touched their eyes; and instantly [G2112] they received their sight.”
John 6:21 – “Then instantly [G2117] the boat reached the land they were heading for.”
• G2117 εὐθύς euthus or G2112 εὐθέως eutheos which both mean: directly, i.e. at once or soon, forthwith, straightway, immediately
• G3916 παραχρῆμα parachrema which means: at the thing itself, forthwith, presently, straightway, soon; that is instantly
• G4743 στιγμή stigme which means: a point of time, i.e. a moment, an instant
In the Newer Covenant, Matthew, Mark, and John prefer euthus [G2117 εὐθύς] or eutheos [G2112 εὐθέως from G217] which both mean: directly, i.e. at once or soon {see Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:42; 5:29; 9:24; 10:52; John 6:21; 18:27; Revelation 4:2}. Euthus is used 15 times.
Luke uses two different words, but seems to prefer parachrema [G3916 παραχρῆμα] which means: at the thing itself, forthwith, presently, straightway, soon {see Luke 8:44; 8:47; 18:43; 22:60; Acts 3:7; 5:10}. Parachrema is used 19 times.
Only once does Luke use stigme [G4743 στιγμή] which means: a point of time, i.e. a moment {Luke 4:5}. Again, we see the image of something that takes place soon, in a very short time, as in quickly, but this does not equate to an indivisible moment of time.
Instant Defined by the Apostle Paul
1 Corinthians 15:52 – “It will take but a moment [G823], the blink of an eye [G4493], at the final shofar.”
It’s All Greek To Me . . . Newer Covenant Words
• G823 ἄτομος atomos and G4493 ῥιπή rhipe which together mean: in the instantaneous, indivisible blink of an eye, i.e. in a twinkling of the eye.
Paul introduces us to the words atomos [G823 ἄτομος] and rhipe [G4493 ῥιπή] which together mean: in the instantaneous, indivisible blink of an eye, which today we define as a nanosecond of time when he is teaching about the resurrection, not the rapture. {1 Corinthians 15:52}. Atomos rhipe is used only once (only 1 time).
ONLY, we repeat: only, in this singular verse do we find the concept of an event that takes place in an indivisible moment of time; when he is teaching about the resurrection, not the rapture.
And yet we generally (and incorrectly) apply the rhipe definition of an indivisible, instant blink of the eye; in other words, in a nanosecond of time, to most items we consider instant. Wink and Blink (or Twinkling) are not equal in length. Me thinks our definition of instant needs a little fixin’ – what do you say?
Imminent Defined by Biblical Word Definitions
Matthew 24:32-33 – “Learn a lesson from the fig tree: When its branches become green and soft and new leaves appear, you know summer is near [G1451].”
Luke 21:28 – “But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near [G1451]!”
“Near at hand” is a popular phrase used to support an “instant” definition of imminent. Near at hand is found in many places in scripture and simply means “approaching.” It does not mean suddenly, instantly, imminently, or in an indivisible moment – a twinkling of an eye.
It’s All Hebrew and Greek To Me
• H7138 קָרוֹב qarowb which means: at hand, near, or without delay. It is translated near 32 times.
• G1451 ἐγγύς eggus also means: at hand, near, or without delay
• G1448 ἐγγίζω eggizo also means: at hand, near, or without delay
• G5035 ταχύ: tachu also means: at hand, near, or without delay
The Hebrew word qarowb [H7138] and the Greek words eggus, eggizo, and tachu are equivalent and all mean at hand, near, or without delay – in other words: imminent. They are not equivalent to atomos rhipe – in other words they do NOT mean: in the instantaneous, indivisible blink of an eye.
Imminent as Defined by Biblical Scholars
There are some scholars that wrongly teach that:
“Imminent means immediately and instantly.”
However, there are others that correctly state that:
• Imminent is defined as a recognized closeness based on unbiased and perceptible incidents, events, incidents, or occurrences.
• Imminent is based on facts or occurrences that can be easily observed.
• An event that is said to be Imminent Is an anticipated event, but does not mean that the event will happen instantly or at any ol’ time.
Therefore, “Imminence isn’t randomness” according to Lee Brainard.
Imminent Defined As Near At Hand
Imminence is always the meaning of at hand or near when speaking about the return of Yeshua. For example:
– The night is far gone, the day is near (Romans 13:12)
– Yeshua is near (Philippians 4:5)
– The time is near when all things will end (1 Peter 4:7)
– You see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:25)
– Yeshua’s return is near (James 5:8)
Imminence does not mean that Yeshua can come at “any ol’ time.”
Yeshua gave us many specific signs that would be happening in the last days, clearly wanting us to know when the time of His return was rapidly approaching, in other words when that “day and hour” would be near at hand or imminent. Many of the signs are being fulfilled today which strongly indicates we are living in the last days. We are, after all, living through revolutions, wars and rumors of wars, and horrifying persecution, for starters.
Luke 21:29-31 – “Look at the fig tree—indeed, all the trees. As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves that summer is now near at hand [G1451].”
Luke speaks of both the fig tree and all the trees. These trees represent both Israel and the other nations that sprouted up at about the same time: Lebanon 1943, Jordan 1946, Syria 1946, Egypt 1952. And are not these the nations that are constantly in daily news reports at this time?
Clearly, the generation that has seen both the fig tree and all the trees put forth their branches is our generation. Without doubt, that “day and hour” is near at hand, eggus [G1451 ἐγγύς]. In other words, it is indeed imminent!
Joel 2:1 – “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Yahweh is near at hand [H7138]. . .”
When Joel prophesied about the coming day of Yahweh, he was saying that it was near at hand, qarowb [H7138 קָרוֹב], not that it was imminent. Many things including the birth of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach had to happen first.
Revelation 3:11 – Yeshua says he is “coming quickly [G5035]” so we are to hold on to what we have, so that no one will take away our crowns. Quickly is the Greek word tachu [G5035 ταχύ] which means shortly, i.e. without delay, soon, suddenly by surprise. Coming quickly is not synonymous with in an indivisible moment – a twinkling of an eye.
Soon, and Very Soon
There is strong evidence for giving the impression that Yeshua might come back very soon – even in one’s own lifetime. Paul, Peter, and Yeshua left the disciples with the impression that his second coming could be soon (John 13:36, 14:3, 17:24; Revelation 3:11).
However, this does not prove that Paul or Peter taught that Yeshua was coming back during their lifetime. They never say this, as Yeshua also said “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow later.” Later does not even come close to being imminent.
When something is soon, or near at hand, it refers to something that is anticipated, approaching, or about to happen, not something that that will happen instantly.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – “But in connection with the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Mashiach and our gathering together to meet him . . . don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day of Yahweh will not arrive until after the apostasiaG646 has come and the one without Torah has been revealed, the one destined for destruction.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 completely debunks the possibility of an imminent return of Yeshua. Paul unequivocally informs the Thessalonians that two events are required to happen before the “coming of our Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, and our gathering together to meet him.”
Those two events are:
1. the apostasia [G646 ἀποστασία] – the defection from truth,
and
2. the arrival of the one without Torah, i.e. the anti-messiah.
Instant Defined Today
Today we have all kinds of instant food items: instant coffee, instant noodles, instant potatoes, instant rice, and instant milk. These items are considered instant if they can be prepared in less than one minute. However, even using a microwave oven it often takes at least one minute to boil the water for the coffee, noodles, potatoes, or rice. It takes much longer to cool the water for the milk! I don’t see any split-second or nanosecond of instant occurrences here – do you?
We have instant communications, but again, it takes time to dial the number, time for the dialed number to ring, and more time for the person to answer the phone that is ringing. The same can be said for lightning. We say lightning flashes instantly but a single flash is formed by a series of about four lightning strokes. Each stroke lasts for about 30 microseconds so a flash of lightning can take up to 120 microseconds, substantially longer than a split-second or nanosecond. I don’t see any split-second or nanosecond of instant occurrence here, either – do you?
The application of instant to these occurrences is not at all accurate.
Imminent Today
The same holds true for us today. We do not know which Yom Teruah will be THE Yom Teruah to be completed or fulfilled. It could be five years from now, next year, or even this year on the Biblical Calendar, hence an imminent event! – An event that we are to watch for and anticipate experiencing.
Still, today, just as it was in times past, “Imminently means immediately and instantly” is not at all accurate.
Conclusions
Both we and scripture use many different words that impart an understanding of something that takes place imminently, soon, in a very short time, or quickly. None of those words indicate an instantaneous, split-second, nanosecond, twinkling of an eye type occurrence.
Most of the words translated instantly or imminently simply mean in a short space of time, quickly, presently, straightway, soon, or without delay.
Atomos rhipe is used only once (only 1 time). ONLY, we repeat: only, in the singular verse, 1 Corinthians 15;52. It is only there that we find the concept of an event that takes place in an indivisible moment of time; when he is teaching about the resurrection, not the rapture. And yet we generally (and incorrectly) apply the definition of “in a split-second” or “nanosecond” of time to most items that today we consider instant! In other words, we wrongly apply the atomos [G823 ἄτομος] and rhipe [G4493 ῥιπή] definition of an indivisible, instant blink of the eye to our understanding of instant.
The application of instantly, imminently, or immediately to these occurrences is not at all accurate. The statement that “imminent means instantly” is also not at all accurate.
Imminency, as it relates to Bible prophecy, simply means that the return of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach for his bride is anticipated and approaching – perhaps even “near at hand”.
“Near at hand” is a popular phrase used to defend a definition of imminence. This phrase is found in many places in scripture and simply means “soon.” It does not mean “suddenly, at any moment, instantly, or imminent.” “Near at hand” does not indicate an instantaneous, split-second, nanosecond, twinkling of an eye type occurrence.
Reminder: Listen to Yeshua, not to inaccurate paradigms.
Paul reminds us – “Do not be deceived . . .” (Galatians 6:7).
Yahweh commands us – “Listen to Yeshua” (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35).
Yeshua commands us – “Listen to me” (Mark 7:14) and states that “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me” (John 18:37).
Rapture Parallels, Patterns, Pictures, and Types 