History has shown that in every generation there were people who knew the things that were going on around them. They knew the times, the problems in society and what ought to be done. They did something significant for their generation.
The children of Issachar knew the times. Joshua and Caleb knew the times. They knew what Israel ought to do at Kadesh Bernea. Elijah knew that his people were torn between two opinions. Modecai and Esther knew that if they remained indifferent, the posterity of their people could come to an end. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself. He learned from the books that 70 years were determined for his people and did something about it. Ezra knew the devastating effect of ignorance. He determined to teach his people the ways of the Lord. Nehemiah was uncomfortable in a king’s place, an unusual phenomenon, because of the condition of his homeland. “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. (Eccl 3:17).
To be wise after the event is foolishness rather than wisdom. Gehazi became wise after he received the curse of perpetual leprosy on his posterity. He did not know the right time to run after material gain. Judas thought he was wise. He missed God’s timing and instead of a judgment seat in God’s kingdom, he ended up in hellfire. Balaam loved covetousness more than wisdom. Even an ass became wiser than him. Achan brought disaster to his clan. He knew what Israel ought to do but refused to do it. He was foolish. Samson became wise after losing his two eyes through his weakness for prostitutes.
Wisdom Is The Principal Thing
Wisdom is knowing the times and season. It is knowing what should be done. It is taking steps to do what has to be done, regardless of the risk involved. Wisdom is the principal thing. Wisdom is knowledge applied at the right time and in the correct circumstance. Wisdom solves problems; it does not create them. Wisdom saves; it does not destroy. Wisdom builds, strengthens and fortifies. Wisdom is good anticipation of the future. It is preparing now what is expected to happen in the hereafter. Wisdom is knowing where one stands and where one is going.
To be the Bride of Christ is a matter of choice. As a Christian you have been betrothed as a chaste virgin to the One who knew no sin but became sin that you might be the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus is potentially your husband. The final outcome will depend not on God but on you. “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let uswatch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing”(1 Thess 5:1-11).
This Generation, Times, Seasons, Day And Hour
GENERATION: This is the generation that will be raptured.
TIMES: Spirit-filled Christians will know the times.John the Baptist, Simeon the Priest, Anna the Intercessor were not only expecting the first coming of the Lord but knew that He had been born before the divine appearance to the Magi and Baby Jesus was brought to the Temple for dedication. Joseph, Zecharias and Elizabeth knew that Mary’s pregnancy was as prophesied by Isaiah.
SEASONS: Those who will be raptured will know the season.
DAY & HOUR Nobody will know the exact day or hourbut RaptureWatchers will have an idea of the event the nearer it becomes.
Why Rapture Time Is Secret
Why would God not allow man to know the exact dates of future events? Secret things belong to God and He chooses to reveal whatever seems right to Him so that no flesh can glory in His presence. Besides, date setting is akin to pride and God hates pride. To know the date of the rapture will likely be harmful to saints who are weak in faith. Since God has put the day and hour of the rapture in His own authority, why are there scriptural details and specific timings and duration of major events of the last seven years of this Dispensation? Of what benefit therefore is the knowledge of the times, seasons, days and hour of the events of the Tribulation Period? I believe the answer lies in God’s attribute of mercy.
Since nobody can know the date of the rapture, it stands to reason that nobody can know the date of the glorious appearing of the Lord before rapture. God knows that many professing Christians will miss the rapture. Also, a great multitude of unbelievers, especially Jews in Great Tribulation, will turn to Christ after the rapture. The Almighty Father is a God of second chance. The Tribulation Period timetable was spelt out in great detail to give HOPE to those who turn to Christ during the Tribulation Period. They will be persecuted, hounded and martyred. Many will go into hiding. The lack of food and medicine has the potential of driving tribulation believers to the brink of committing suicide if there is not a flicker of hope to an end of their affliction. Jesus said: “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Mt 24:22).
As the Tribulation saints recall the words of Jesus vis-à-vis the Beast’s activities going on around them, they can be strengthened to hang on by refusing to take the Mark of the Beast. They will be encouraged to go through martyrdom knowing that a better resurrection awaits them on the other side. Knowing that denying Jesus and taking on the Mark would be an irreversible consignment to doom forever, knowledge of Tribulation Period timetable will encourage them to persevere, keeping their hope alive longer than would have been the case. They will realize that seven years of doubtful “trouble-free” life with the Beast and his Mark is nothing to be compared with being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ forever.
Again, why would God not allow man to know the exact dates of future events? God cannot share his glory with man. As it is written, “Let God be true but every man a liar.” Secret things belong to God and He chooses to reveal whatever seems right to Him so that no flesh can glory in His presence. Besides, date setting is akin to pride and God hates pride with a perfect hatred.
To know the date of the rapture will likely be harmful to the Body of Christ. But as church rapture will not overtake anyone by surprise, those to be raptured will have an idea of the imminence of the event. They will not know the date or hour but will have an inner witness in their spirit about the Time and Season of the sounding of the last trumpet.
