The term "shortly" in the Bible often conveys a sense of immediacy or impending action, indicating that an event is about to occur soon. This term is used in various contexts throughout Scripture, emphasizing the urgency or nearness of God's actions or the fulfillment of His promises.

Old Testament Usage

While the specific English term "shortly" may not frequently appear in the Old Testament, the concept is present in the prophetic literature, where prophets often speak of events that will happen soon. For example, the prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah of impending judgment if they did not repent. The urgency of these messages underscores the immediacy of God's intervention in human affairs.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the term "shortly" is more explicitly used. One notable instance is found in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place." Here, "shortly" or "soon" indicates the nearness of the prophetic events described in the book, emphasizing the urgency for believers to remain faithful and vigilant.

Another significant usage is in Romans 16:20 , where Paul writes, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." This promise of God's swift action against evil provides hope and assurance to believers, affirming that God's ultimate victory over Satan is imminent.

Theological Implications

The use of "shortly" in Scripture often serves to remind believers of the transient nature of the present world and the nearness of God's kingdom. It calls for readiness and watchfulness, encouraging Christians to live in a state of spiritual preparedness. The anticipation of God's swift action serves as a motivation for holy living and faithful service.

Eschatological Context

In eschatological contexts, "shortly" underscores the belief in the imminent return of Christ. The early church lived with the expectation that Jesus could return at any moment, a belief that continues to influence Christian thought and practice. This sense of urgency is intended to inspire believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to prioritize the things of God over worldly concerns.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the concept of "shortly" serves as a reminder to live with an eternal perspective. It encourages Christians to focus on their relationship with God, to engage in evangelism, and to pursue righteousness, knowing that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. The call to readiness is as relevant today as it was in the early church, urging believers to be vigilant and faithful as they await the fulfillment of God's plan.1. (adv.) In a short or brief time or manner; soon; quickly.

2. (adv.) In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.

5030. tacheos -- quickly, hastily
... Word Origin adverb from tachus Definition quickly, hastily NASB Word Usage hastily
(1), once (1), quickly (4), shortly (2), soon (2). hastily, quickly, shortly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5030.htm - 6k

5034. tachos -- speed
... situation. See 5035 (). Word Origin from tachus Definition speed NASB Word
Usage quickly (3), shortly (1), soon (3). speed. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5034.htm - 6k

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

2112. eutheos -- at once, directly
... Word Origin adverb from euthus Definition at once, directly NASB Word Usage
immediately (32), shortly (1). as soon as, forthwith, immediately. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2112.htm - 6k

5032. tachion -- more swiftly
... singular of the comparative of tachus (as adverb); more swiftly, ie (in manner)
more rapidly, or (in time) more speedily -- out (run), quickly, shortly, sooner ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5032.htm - 6k

5035. tachu -- quickly
... Neuter singular of tachus (as adverb); shortly, ie Without delay, soon, or (by surprise)
suddenly, or (by implication, of ease) readily -- lightly, quickly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5035.htm - 7k

5029. tacha -- quickly, perhaps
... perhaps. As if neuter plural of tachus (adverbially); shortly, ie (figuratively)
possibly -- peradventure(-haps). see GREEK tachus. (tacha) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5029.htm - 7k

1722. en -- in, on, at, by, with
... Sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because)
of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1722.htm - 8k

4120. meherah -- haste, speed
... Word Origin from mahar Definition haste, speed NASB Word Usage hurry (1), quickly
(14), shortly (1), speed (1), speedily (2), swiftly (1). ...
/hebrew/4120.htm - 6k

4116. mahar -- to hasten
... promptly -- be carried headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make) haste(-n, -ily),
(be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) X quickly, rash, X shortly, (be so) X soon ...
/hebrew/4116.htm - 6k

7138. qarob -- near
... 1), lately (1), near (47), nearby (1), nearest (6), neighbors (2), ones near (1),
related (1), relative (1), relatives (1), short (1), shortly (1), soon (2 ...
/hebrew/7138.htm - 6k

(Written in 1887, Shortly Before Therese Entered the Carmel. )
... LETTERS TO MOTHER AGNES OF JESUS I (Written in 1887, shortly before Th??r??se
entered the Carmel.). (Written in 1887, shortly before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/i written in 1887 shortly.htm

I Will Deal Shortly with the Second Passage which My Brother Tells ...
... I will deal shortly with the second passage which my brother tells me has been marked
for blame, because the complaint is exceedingly frivolous, and bears on ...
/.../23 i will deal shortly.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that they which Shortly Before had ...
... Book II. 41 Was it for this He sent souls, that they which shortly before
had been gentle? Was it for this He sent souls, that ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/41 was it for this.htm

Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly ...
... Book III. Chapter I. Statement of the reasons wherefore the matters, treated
of shortly in the two former? Statement of the reasons ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i statement of the.htm

Of the First Roman Consuls, the one of whom Drove the Other from ...
... Chapter 16."Of the First Roman Consuls, the One of Whom Drove the Other from the
Country, and Shortly After Perished at Rome by the Hand of a Wounded Enemy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the first roman.htm

Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer
... his servants and his people tomorrow. And shortly after: So Moses went
out from Pharaoh and prayed unto God. Again in the case of ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter ii scriptural uses of.htm

2 Timothy i. 1, 2
... He had said, "I hope to come unto thee shortly" (1 Timothy 3:14.), and as this had
not taken place, instead of coming to him, he consoles him by a letter, when ...
/.../homily i 2 timothy i.htm

A Crushed Snake
... ROMANS A CRUSHED SNAKE. 'The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
shortly.'"Romans 16:20. There are three other Scriptural ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/a crushed snake.htm

Homilies of St. John Chrysostom,
... was with him. And he shows it by what he says: "But I hope in the Lord Jesus
to send Timothy shortly unto you." (Philip. ii.19.) And ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom.htm

Appendix vii. On the Date of the Nativity of Our Lord
... Our Lord was born before the death of Herod, and, as we judge from the
Gospel-history, very shortly before that event. Now the year ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix vii on the date.htm

Shortly (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly; as, to express ideas more shortly
in verse than in prose. Multi-Version Concordance Shortly (21 Occurrences). ...
/s/shortly.htm - 12k

Short (128 Occurrences)
... Luke 8:1 Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village,
proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. ...
/s/short.htm - 37k

Cambyses
... He had one brother, Bardes or Smerdes, whom he put to death secretly shortly after
his accession, probably because of an attempted rebellion. ...
/c/cambyses.htm - 12k

Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... Revised Version "bruising him sorely") Luke 9:39; of suntribo, "to break to pieces"
(Matthew 12:20); "shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (Romans 16:20 ...
/b/bruise.htm - 14k

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)
...Shortly after his accession, Artaxerxes put his older brother Darius to death; and
a little later, Artabanus, who perhaps aimed to make himself king, was killed ...
/a/artaxerxes.htm - 16k

Abigal (1 Occurrence)
... once; "father," or "cause of joy"): (1) The wife of Nabal, a rich shepherd of southern
Judea, whose home was Maon (1 Samuel 25:2, 3); shortly after Nabal's ...
/a/abigal.htm - 10k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... once; "father," or "cause of joy"): (1) The wife of Nabal, a rich shepherd of southern
Judea, whose home was Maon (1 Samuel 25:2, 3); shortly after Nabal's ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Trust (201 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you,
that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. (KJV WBS). ...
/t/trust.htm - 38k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... To Visit Philippi: "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you,
that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

James (40 Occurrences)
...Shortly after the Transfiguration, when Jesus, having "stedfastly set his face to
go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), was passing through Samaria, the ire of James ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

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