Oh yes Mr.
MELLO: Things “About To” Happen
“Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial
that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.” (Rev 3:10 YLT)
The New Testament (NT) tells us about many events which were “
about to” happen during the lives of Jesus and his disciples; things which were imminent and expected to occur within a short time. In order to convey this meaning, the original NT manuscripts use the Greek word “μέλλω” (mello), which means: “I intend to, I am
about to”. So, whenever something was “
about to” happen, the Greek NT would say “mello” this or that.
For example, when Jesus prophesied his coming crucifixion, he told his disciples that the Son of Man “is
about to” [Gk: μέλλει : mellei] suffer at the hands of certain men (Matt 17:12).
Later, in Galilee, Jesus repeated that prophecy, saying that the Son of Man “is
about to” [Gk: μέλλει : mellei] be delivered into the hands of men (Matt 17:22).
[NB: “mellei” is 3rd person singular form of the word “mello”.]
1. USE OF “MELLO” TO WARN OF IMMINENT ACTIONS OR EVENTS.
That Greek word “mello” appears 110 times in various forms in the NT. Here are more examples:
MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
Matt 2:13 - Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is
about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is
about to] search for the child, to destroy him.”
Matt 20:22 - Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am [Gk: μέλλω : mello : I am
about to] to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”
MARK’S GOSPEL
Mark 10:32 - And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was [Gk: μέλλοντα : mellonta :
about to] to happen to him
Here are some examples of the use of “mello” in Revelation, from YLT:
Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that
are about to come after these things
(Rev 1:19)
Revelation 1:19 YLT - Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are
about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is (are)
about to]
iii ) come after these things;
Revelation 2:10 YLT - Be not afraid of the things that thou art
about to [Gk: μέλλεις : melleis : are
about to] suffer; lo, the devil is
about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is
about to] cast of you to prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days; become thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of the life.
Revelation 3:10,16 YLT - Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is
about to [Gk: μελλούσης : mellouses : which is
about to] come upon all the world
iv, to try those dwelling upon the earth
v … So ‐‐ because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am
about to [Gk: μέλλω : mello : I am
about to] vomit thee out of my mouth.
Revelation 6:11 YLT - and there was given to each one white robes, and it was said to them that they may rest themselves yet a little time, till may be fulfilled also their fellow-servants and their brethren, who are
about to [Gk: μέλλοντες : mellontes : are
about to] be killed ‐‐ even as they.
Revelation 8:13 YLT - And I saw, and I heard one messenger, flying in the mid-heaven, saying with a great voice, ‘Wo, wo, wo, to those dwelling upon the land from the rest of the voices of the trumpet of the three messengers who are
about to [Gk: μελλόντων : mellonton : are
about to] sound.’
Revelation 12:5 YLT - and she brought forth a male child, who is
about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is
about to] rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and caught away was her child unto God and His throne.
What would be the point of telling Christians in the 1st Century about apocalyptic events, if those things were not expected for thousands of years… after they were all dead and their world had disappeared? How could those events have any meaning or significance to 1st Century people, if they would NOT live to see and experience them? It just doesn’t make any sense.
Conversely, if those early Christians were “ABOUT TO” experience great tribulations and persecutions, they would obviously find encouragement and hope in the knowledge that “SOON” their Lord Jesus Christ was “ABOUT TO” return and rescue them from their enemies… the last wicked and perverse generation of Old Covenant Jews and their temporary Roman allies.
The obvious meaning of the Greek word “mello” throughout the New Testament is that certain things were “ABOUT TO” happen… SOON… in a very short time. And when it refers to the parousia (Second Coming) of Christ, the word “mello” was clearly intended to warn people that it was “ABOUT TO” happen, in the lifetime of those early Christians. This is exactly what Jesus promised his disciples:
“27 For, the Son of Man is
about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is
about to] come in the glory of his Father, with his messengers, and then he will reward each, according to his work. 28 Verily I say to you, there are certain of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they may see the Son of Man coming in his reign.” (Matthew 16:27-28 YLT)