Rev. 17:7-18, Telos, The End of the Word of God

There is a family of words in the NT for “fulfill.”  The NKJV in Rev. 17:17 translates, until the words of God are fulfilled.  That’s fine: all God has said and planned concerning the arrangement of the nations and governments and armies and economy will be fulfilled.  But if you are wondering, this word is not “fulfilled” but is one of the family of NT words meaning “to complete, finish” (Greek: telos).  Literally, until the words of God are finished.  Maybe no big deal, but I thought you might like to know.  And it led me to consider a few other significant passages with “telos.”  Here they are for your meditation.

·       Mt. 26:1: When Jesus finished all these words, of the Olivet Discourse, prophetic words, He then turned His attention to Passover and His upcoming crucifixion.

·       Lk. 18:31: One of Jesus’ announcements that they are going to Jerusalem, and at that time all things prophesied concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.

·       Lk. 22:37: Telos is twice here.  First, quoting Isa. 53:12 about being numbered with the transgressors, Jesus says this must be accomplished (NKJV has a note suggesting fulfilled).  But then Jesus said, For the things concerning Me have an end.  That’s the second use.  What a simple, powerful statement!  There’s a point to it all.  Be patient; it will come!

·       Jn. 19:28,30: Jesus, after the darkness and the fullness of suffering, knew all things were not accomplished (noun), that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (finished, verb), said, ‘I thirst.’  Earlier He refused the wine with myrrh; but now He can satisfy thirst, and then says: It is finished (verb; perfect: an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated;  passive, done to Him, i.e. the Father’s work done via the cross, or in the next passage, it was the work of evil men; indicative: a statement of fact).  Hallelujah!

·       Ac. 13:29: Paul at Pisidian Antioch, when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 

·       Rev. 10:7 (mystery of God finished); 11:7 (testimony of two witnesses finished); 15:1 (the wrath of God is complete); 15:8 (no one could enter heaven until the seven plagues completed); 17:17 (see above); 20:3,5,7 (Satan bound, dead not raised again, and then Satan released, all when the thousand years were finished or were expired).

And now, here are a couple for application:

·       Gal. 5:16: Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

·       2 Tim. 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 God has an end goal in mind, with various sub-goals along the way.  He has revealed this in His word.  The "end" of God's word will come.  Let us also have a fitting "end" to our lives, one that glorifies God.