Jesus said to John, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20, ESV). As far as I can tell, this is the only time in the New Testament that the Lord’s return is mentioned in that way. The Greek adverb that is translated “soon” seems to indicate the manner of the return of Christ rather than the time. The word may also be translated, “swiftly” or “quickly.” If this is correct, then Jesus was not telling John and his readers that the time of His return would be immediate but that when He does return, the event will happen suddenly and quickly. Indeed, Paul said that the changing of our bodies that will occur at His coming will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
One of our more popular gospel songs is “Jesus Is Coming Soon” written by R.E. Winsett. He wrote and composed about one thousand gospel songs, many of which are found in songbooks today. He was also a publisher of songbooks, the most popular of which was called, Pentecostal Power Complete. In 1923, Winsett became a recognized minister of the Church of God (Seventh Day), and it seems that he put the error of Pentecostal teaching in a song that he wrote in 1942, “Jesus Is Coming Soon.” I like the chorus of the song with its powerful bass line, but I am not fond of the teaching of it. Though the chorus suggests that the Lord’s return will be immediate, the real problem and Winsett’s doctrine are seen in the second verse. The phrases “love of so many cold,” “evils abound,” and “when these signs come to pass” are undeniable allusions to Matthew 24:12 and Luke 21:28, 31. Winsett applied these conditions to the end of time and the second coming of the Christ, but Jesus applied them to the destruction of Jerusalem which took place in A.D. 70. The Lord went on to say that there will be no signs to warn people of His coming. His return will come completely by surprise to most all people and with great suddenness (cf. Matthew 24:36-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; 2 Peter 3:10).
Let us “sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). Dr. David Miller wrote, “It is not easy to admit that a song that is so emotionally and aesthetically satisfying possesses inherent flaws that render it spiritually unacceptable. But if we truly love and respect God and His Word, we will adjust our practice, loyalties, and sentimentalities to fit God’s will – not vice versa. After all, when Jesus returns, we want Him to find us humbly submitting to His will.”
(Apologetics Press, “Jesus Is Coming Soon?”)