A Little While John 16:16-22 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

This passage is best understood as a Second Advent passage. It is a prophecy passage concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are several clues in this text that mark it as a Second Advent passage and we are going to focus on those.

Phrases that indicate a Second Advent passage:

“A little while” – This phrase (stated seven times) indicates a point in the not too distant future. However, since Jesus issued this statement 2,000 years ago we are given an indication of the vast difference in perspective between a mere mortal such as you and me and that of an infinite being who resides in eternity like Jesus Christ (Isaiah 10:25, Psalm 37:10, Haggai 2:6-7, Heb. 10:37).

“Your sorrow shall be turned into joy” – This is a phrase that is used in the Bible to indicate movement from the Tribulation into the Millennial Reign of Christ (Psalm 30:5, Malachi 4:2, 2 Peter 1:19, Mark 13:35, Psalm 30:1-7, Jer. 30:12, Ezek. 37, Daniel 2, Psalm 26:5-6, Isaiah 65:18).

“A woman when she is in travail” – The woman in travail is Israel in the tribulation and the delivery is the national restoration or resurrection of Israel at the second coming of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 26:17, 1 Thes. 5:1, Rev. 12:5, Isaiah 66:7).

“I will see you again” – This one is self-evident (Zech.  12:10, Heb.9:28).