As to the Times and Seasons - Part 2 - By Gene Lawley -
http://raptureready.com/featured/lawley/lawley114.html
The phrase, "times and seasons," is used in connection with prophetic events to come. It is used only three times in the Scriptures, the first, in Daniel 2:21. The second, in Acts 1:7, and the third, in 1 Thessalonians 5:1 all having to do with future periods of time when God fulfills His prophetic pronouncements.
In Daniel 2:21, it is in the prayer of Daniel asking God to reveal the king's dream to him. Following is the context in which that phrase is used, in Daniel 2:20-22:
"Daniel answered and said: 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.'"
This beginning of Daniel's prayer is like an introduction to the prophecy that was to follow, showing the outline of secular history in the future. Kingdoms were identified in sequential order. These came to be called heads of a seven headed beast that Daniel, then John, revealed in later writings. It tells us that God, who is unchangeable, set up times and seasons in His plan for the ages at different times and for different purposes.
The response Jesus gave in Acts 1:6-7 shows that the era when the nation would be restored to Israel was not yet to be. The ministry of the gospel of His death, burial and resurrection was to be carried out when He would take out of the Gentiles a people for His name. (Romans 11:25 and Acts 15:14)
The times and seasons that Jesus said were in the Father's authority came to fulfillment when Israel was recognized as a sovereign nation on May 14, 1948. It was prophecy fulfilled! The era of grace continues until Jesus comes for all of His believers at the Rapture and the world enters a seven-year period of judgement. That is the 70th week of Daniel's prediction for Israel.
No comments:
Post a Comment