At Hand

by Terry Wane Benton

Most who get tangled up in the Realized Eschatology heresy get puzzled by the “at hand” language found in so many books of the New Testament. All they can conclude is that there was only one thing it could be talking about, and that is the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. While many passages point to that significant event, every passage that speaks of the Lord as “near” or “at hand” does not necessarily talk about that event in time.

Not every “at hand” statement concerns time. Some concerns the proximity in location. “The Lord is at hand” is very comforting to those who love Him. It is frightening to those who prefer sin.

“'Am I a God near at hand,' says the LORD, 'And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?' says the LORD; 'Do I not fill heaven and earth?' says the LORD" (Jeremiah 23:23 NKJV).

Philippians 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” This means He is always nearby to help you and support you, as well as to hold you accountable. Further, even some places where it talks about “the day of the Lord is at hand” can also reference the day of our death. Paul spoke of his death as “the time of my departure”, saying it was “at hand” (II Timothy 4:6-8). In a real sense, this too can be a day of the Lord, a day when He ends our suffering on earth, a day for others when He ends their evil influence on the earth. Further, since God is not bound by time, and time ends for us in death, we soon enter a timeless sphere in the spirit world. The clock does not tick for those who enter the spirit realm. They do not know life under the sun anymore!

So, there is more to think about than what is close to happening by the clock, but what is relationally happening in our association or lack of spiritual association with our timeless God. He is always at hand! That can be good or bad depending on your relationship with Him. We can be made “near” to Him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

Do you know that because of the relative nearness of death, judgment is ever at hand for each of us? (Hebrews 9:27). How sobering is that? Are you in a position of dread, or a position of excited expectation of the judgment? That day is at hand. Be wise to make today count toward your readiness!