Have you ever wrestled with questions you seek answers for that you don't seem to get? Personally, I think if we are honest with ourselves, we would all answer yes. Many don't want to acknowledge this is the nature of the case, especially to others. Perhaps it is so because we don't want to seem nonspiritual. No one of us have all the answers. There are times we don't understand why a loved one is taken away so suddenly, or when young children are molested and murdered horrendously. We just have to trust the Lord and hold onto faith in Him.
There is but One in Whom all the answers lay, and that is the Lord Jesus. Sometimes, He is willing for us to have the answer, perhaps at least, not immediately. Such was the case as is written in the book of Acts 1: 6 - 7.
"So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will re establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power".
The timing and seasons of all things belong to the Lord and in the course of time, He reveals events that will take place. In the gospel records, there are many occurrences where the Lord Jesus speaks openly of events that are to come, yet not their specific day to day, moment by moment fulfilment. We see the same thing in relation to the book of Revelation. The prophecy of the book as revealed to the apostle John was given by the Lord Jesus of things to come, near at hand and of future events.
The apostle Paul, to the Thessalonian saints says this. "But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night".
Somewhere between the gospel and Acts accounts and this writing of Paul, revelation was given of the precise timing and seasons of events that relate to the events that lead to the return of the Lord Jesus. Not just rough estimates or guesses as we so often do today, but, precise seasons and dates. Why? So that we are not overtaken or caught unaware of theses specific times and seasons.
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was subjected to all the frailties of human experience, otherwise He could not be a High Priest who could identify with us in our humanity. In His being subjected to human form and frailty in every regard as we ourselves, even not knowing certain things which only His Father knew, He had to trust in the Holy Spirit to lead, direct and reveal what He was to do and what to say while in His sojourn here on earth. His relationship with the Father took on a different status as a Son of man, yet being equal with the Father, He chose not to appropriate that equality. Let the apostle Paul speak as is recorded in Philippians chapter 2.
" Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".
I am saying that in order to say this. The Lord Jesus as the Son of man, was subject to human frailty, including lack of knowledge. He did not know the precise times and seasons of His return and events leading up to it. The Father chose to hide that from Him, otherwise, if He did know and said He did not know, that would make Him a liar and we know He most certainly is not that. When He was resurrected, in His resurrection, He was transfigured and glorified, subsequently, He was given the place of honour and glory He had with the Father before He took on human form, His relationship status once again reverted to being equal with God, Who knows ALL THINGS. Everything the Father does, He does through the Son. The Father has spoken in these last days and continues to speak through the Son, the Lord Jesus. This is the Father's good pleasure. More can be said, but this is sufficient for now.
I am persuaded to believe that the Lord Jesus revealed certain specific things to the apostle Paul in the revelations he received whether in the body or out of it, of events that would take place in the end and of His return. That is why Paul could enlighten the Thessalonians and remind them that they do not need to be reminded.
A question then, " why is it that today, we have so many diverse opinions and views as to the Lord's return? " A question that requires answers. Think about this.
The grace of the Lord be with you all.
There is but One in Whom all the answers lay, and that is the Lord Jesus. Sometimes, He is willing for us to have the answer, perhaps at least, not immediately. Such was the case as is written in the book of Acts 1: 6 - 7.
"So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will re establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power".
The timing and seasons of all things belong to the Lord and in the course of time, He reveals events that will take place. In the gospel records, there are many occurrences where the Lord Jesus speaks openly of events that are to come, yet not their specific day to day, moment by moment fulfilment. We see the same thing in relation to the book of Revelation. The prophecy of the book as revealed to the apostle John was given by the Lord Jesus of things to come, near at hand and of future events.
The apostle Paul, to the Thessalonian saints says this. "But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night".
Somewhere between the gospel and Acts accounts and this writing of Paul, revelation was given of the precise timing and seasons of events that relate to the events that lead to the return of the Lord Jesus. Not just rough estimates or guesses as we so often do today, but, precise seasons and dates. Why? So that we are not overtaken or caught unaware of theses specific times and seasons.
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was subjected to all the frailties of human experience, otherwise He could not be a High Priest who could identify with us in our humanity. In His being subjected to human form and frailty in every regard as we ourselves, even not knowing certain things which only His Father knew, He had to trust in the Holy Spirit to lead, direct and reveal what He was to do and what to say while in His sojourn here on earth. His relationship with the Father took on a different status as a Son of man, yet being equal with the Father, He chose not to appropriate that equality. Let the apostle Paul speak as is recorded in Philippians chapter 2.
" Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".
I am saying that in order to say this. The Lord Jesus as the Son of man, was subject to human frailty, including lack of knowledge. He did not know the precise times and seasons of His return and events leading up to it. The Father chose to hide that from Him, otherwise, if He did know and said He did not know, that would make Him a liar and we know He most certainly is not that. When He was resurrected, in His resurrection, He was transfigured and glorified, subsequently, He was given the place of honour and glory He had with the Father before He took on human form, His relationship status once again reverted to being equal with God, Who knows ALL THINGS. Everything the Father does, He does through the Son. The Father has spoken in these last days and continues to speak through the Son, the Lord Jesus. This is the Father's good pleasure. More can be said, but this is sufficient for now.
I am persuaded to believe that the Lord Jesus revealed certain specific things to the apostle Paul in the revelations he received whether in the body or out of it, of events that would take place in the end and of His return. That is why Paul could enlighten the Thessalonians and remind them that they do not need to be reminded.
A question then, " why is it that today, we have so many diverse opinions and views as to the Lord's return? " A question that requires answers. Think about this.
The grace of the Lord be with you all.
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