Sermon Outline: At Hand
"At Hand"
I. Introduction
a. Time statements in the Bible are extremely important to interpreting some key scriptures. We must not be fooled into thinking that God cannot tell Time.
b. One mistake of many exegetes is their abandonment of time statements simply because they disagree with their view of scriptures.
c. One phrase that is often overlooked and completely ignored or redefined is the phrase “at hand.”
d. “At hand” is used 21 times in the King James Version and is translated from 4 different Greek words: eggizo, eggus, enistemi, and ephistemi[1].
II. “Eggizo” (eng-id’-zo, G1448)
a. This is used 43 times in the KJV and is translated at hand, draweth nigh, drew near, and came nigh – among others.
b. It means “draw nigh, approach, has come night, etc.”
c. It is translated “at hand” 9 times in the KJV
i. In relation to the kingdom
1. Matthew 3:2
2. Matthew 4:17
3. Matthew 10:7
4. Mark 1:15
ii. In relation to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus
1. Matthew 26:45-46
2. Mark 14:42
iii. In relation to the destruction of Jerusalem
1. Romans 13:12
2. I Peter 4:7
d. To better understand this term we can notice the language used in Mark 9:1.
i. Read Mark 9:1
1. At hand can indicate within the lifetime of the original audience
2. If this was not the case, then Jesus was teaching a false doctrine (Deuteronomy 18:15-22).
ii. Did this come to pass?
1. It had its beginning in that generation (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9).
2. It had its building up in that generation (Hebrews 12:28, cf. Isaiah 66:8; Ephesians 4:7-16).
3. And it was fully established in that generation (Luke 21:29-32; Revelation 11:15, 12:10).
III. “Eggus” (eng-goos’, G1451)
a. This term is used 30 times is the KJV and is translated is nigh, near, at hand, and nigh to – among others.
b. It means “to be brought near, imminent, and soon to happen.”
c. It is translated “at hand” 10 times in the KJV.
i. In relation to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus: Matthew 26:18
ii. In relation to a feast day or event.
1. John 2:13
2. John 7:2
3. John 11:55
iii. In relation to location: John 19:42
iv. In relation to the destruction of Jerusalem
1. Luke 21:30-31
2. Philippians 4:5
3. Revelation 1:3
4. Revelation 22:10
d. To better understand this term we can notice the language used in Matthew 26:18.
i. Read Matthew 26:18
1. Jesus’ “time” was at hand.
2. Compare John 2:4, 7:6-8, 30 and 8:20.
3. See also John 16:32
ii. Did this come to pass?
1. Jesus’ arrest: Matthew 26:46ff
2. Jesus’ sacrifice: Matthew 27:31ff
3. Jesus’ resurrection: Matthew 28:1ff
4. Jesus’ ascension: Mark 16:19
IV. Enistemi (en-is’-tay-mee, G1764)
a. This term is use 7 times in the KJV and is translated present, at hand, and shall come.
b. It means “to place in or among, to be upon, close, present”
c. It is translated “at hand” once in the KJV in relation to the coming of the Lord (II Thessalonians 2:2).
i. Unfortunately, this passage has been misunderstood in times past due to the KJV. The NKJV has it more appropriately translated “had come.”
ii. The NKJV rendering of enistemi is more appropriate due to the tensions at the time concerning Hymenaeus and Philetus.
iii. Read II Timothy 2:17-18
V. Ephistemi (ef-is’-tay-mee, G2186)
a. This term is used 21 times in the KJV and is translated came upon, coming, stood by, and at hand – among others.
b. It means “to place at, upon, or stand by.”
c. It is translated “at hand” once in the KJV in relation to the death of Paul (II Timothy 4:6).
VI. Conclusion: We are not waiting on a kingdom any longer! We can be a part of it today by obeying the gospel (Jon 3:1ff).
[1] (Thayer, 1896)
