Without question, God has impeccable timing. He does everything He does based upon a time schedule which He Himself has established. Take a look at this verse below as an example of this.
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1 KJV
Notice carefully in this verse the words “times” and “seasons.”
TIMES = this word simply means a space of time (like a century or a decade for example)
SEASONS = this is referring to a fixed or set time that occurs within a “space of time”
We are now living in the “space of time” when the rapture will occur. God has established a “set time” within this “space of time” for the catching away of the Church. God has this event already set on His calendar!
And when you study the Bible, you will discover that God has things planned out perfectly and precisely. He isn’t operating randomly or on a whim, the way people do. He is very specific and accurate about when He does things.
Take for example His sending Jesus to the earth to redeem us from the bondages of Satan. He began to talk about this all the way back in the beginning, after Adam and Eve sinned, as you will see in Genesis 3:15. Then various times in various places throughout the Old Testament, we find Him speaking through His prophets that the Messiah was coming. But even though He began announcing it thousands of years in advance, He already knew the exact date and time for Jesus to arrive.
“4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 KJV
Notice again that there was a “set time” which God had already planned in which He would send Jesus His Son, to redeem us and make us God’s very own children. And this passage, among others, is simply an example that everything God does, He does according to a pattern, and based upon His own predetermined clock and calendar, which are not controlled by man.
But now let’s return to the book of 1 Thessalonians and look at an important passage about end-time events. Because it is critical that you and I get a better sense as to what day it is on God’s calendar, and what time it is on His clock.
The Bible tells us that many people will even miss the rapture of the Church, and will find themselves trapped in the Tribulation Period, all because they give no heed to God’s times and seasons. So, look closely at this passage below.
“1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 4 KJV
THE DAY OF THE LORD – this phrase is a specific term describing the Tribulation Period.
The obvious point being made here is that had a person been properly prepared before a thief arrived, they would not be caught off guard and been ripped off. As an example, it’s as if someone went to bed thinking that this night would be just like every other night and failed to prepare themselves. And this explains how far too many Christians live, not paying any attention to God’s calendar or His clock.
The rapture of the Church and the launching of the Tribulation Period, are not supposed to catch true believers off guard, like a thief in the night would do. However, since so many believers today are living unto themselves and giving such a small amount of attention to what hour they are living in, it is the same as living in the darkness, and being caught entirely off guard, as is revealed in the passage above.
Those who live their lives with a “business as usual” mentality, have clearly made no preparation for the Lord’s soon return. Take as an example of this the five foolish virgins that the Lord Jesus tells us about in Matthew chapter twenty-five. They were going through the motions but still not bothering to take it seriously enough to make the proper preparations for the Lord to come. And when He did, they were stunned, and because they were unprepared, they were not allowed to enter in with Him.
Jesus accurately describes much of His people today in this story of the ten virgins. Because while some are watching for Him and living a life prepared for His return, others appear to not take the things of God seriously enough at all.
The world is not watching for Jesus soon return, which will set in motion the seven-year Tribulation Period, but unfortunately neither are most Christians. And how sad it is that those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior are content to live their lives completely oblivious to the times and seasons they are living in.
So, live right and live ready, all day, every day. And place your attention on God’s calendar and on His clock. And I assure you that you will be glad that you did.
