It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. – Jesus
Some time around 95 AD, over six decades after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, God gave John, the last living apostle, a series of visions pertaining to the last days of human history. John had written one of the four gospels, the cornerstones of the Christian faith, as well as a series of letters (or epistles). But this final prophetic message, given to him while living out his elder years in exile on the island of Patmos, is the culmination of a host of Old and New Testament prophecies pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ, and the installation of the physical kingdom of God on earth, in Israel.
The visions that God gave John pertain to things which must take place in our future and are somewhat cryptically described as being things which must shortly take place.
This final book of the New Testament begins:
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Revelation 1:1-2 (NKJV)
This begs the questions, “When will all these things take place? And what is the meaning of ‘shortly’?”
Jesus’ disciples had asked a similar question of Him just prior to His ascension into heaven. As recorded in the first chapter of the book of Acts:
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 (NKJV)
As Jesus states, it is not for any of us to know the exact times or seasons when God will put into motion the events described in the book of Revelation. Many notable personalities throughout history have ended up looking foolish trying to do so, as did many of their followers who believed them. It has been over 1,900 years and these things which “must happen” have not yet done so. But, as God has patiently revealed through His prophets, they will indeed happen.
The Greek word for “soon” used here is en tachi, a root of the word tachometer, which may imply that once things begin to happen, they will accelerate, happening quickly or shortly. But that is not certain, and the urgency in the passage may simply be a reference to the way that God regards time. He is the One who created the expanding universe and, having sanctified us in faith through the death and resurrection of Christ, must be looking forward to bringing in His kingdom and living among His redeemed, reigning in glory forever.
Even if we do not know when these things will happen, we are blessed to make ourselves aware of what will happen once the Lord begins to implement His final chapter.
Reflection
God has appointed the number of our days, and as new creations through our faith in Christ, He has prepared many good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). May we use our time wisely to grow closer to Jesus in prayer and meditation upon His word, and to live out the good and holy life that God has prepared for us as we look up for Christ’s soon return.
Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12). We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful, blessed day in the Lord today!
Times and Seasons - The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY 