37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
The Holy Spirit ratified the previous point by alluding to Isaiah 26:20 in this verse and Habakkuk 2:3–4 in the next (in the LXX). Both references establish the point that there is reward in eternity for suffering in time. Both citations to the Old Testament contextually reference Israel’s endurance during persecution.
37 “For
“For” gives the reason for the previous verse. Christians are to endure because they have not yet received the promise.
yet a little while,
This allusion from Isaiah 26:20 deals with the future of the nation Israel during the Tribulation. Persecution and suffering in time is very short compared to the length of eternity. Pain in time will cease when the Lord returns.
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Israel will find safety for a short period until God completes His wrath by the Second Coming of Christ to earth (Da 9:24–27; Jer 30:7). This is the time of receiving the promise of our reward from God. Jesus will come one day to fulfill His promise to us.
PRINCIPLE:
Proper waiting for Christ’s return will receive reward.
APPLICATION:
The motivation here is to endure for a short time in comparison with eternity. Who knows when Christ will return? Christians need to reckon everything in the light of Christ’s return. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, nothing else will count other than whether we lived by faith or not.
