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5) Times and Seasons of the Return
There has been expectation in the past of the return from dates in 1736, 1868, 1988 and 2007. In 1868 the conditions were such in the world that the standing of Daniel's image and the Gogian host coming upon the ancient land of Israel seemed very likely. In 1868 the remnants of the holy Roman Empire in Germany still existed and the chance of unification of all Europe was high. But then came WW1 and while events in Israel have step by step fulfilled prophecy, the events in Europe have seemed, on the surface, to be counter to prophecy.
Even in 1988, while on one hand the SEA treaty had been signed, the Soviet Union still maintained the 'Iron Curtain', and it looked like it would do so for some time to come. But in 1989 the world changed. Since then step by step Europe has taken a shape again that remarkably approximates the Holy Roman Empire. It is to be noted that Rome and the Vatican was not part of the territory of the Holy Roman Empire, rather the one supported the other, with authority resting in the Vatican. In the same way in the lead up to events in 1989 the Vatican has had power, and now speaks with authority on European matters. In all points the expectations based on prophecy of the past have been fulfilled.
Since Russia's 08.08.08 invasion, they have again claimed Europe as a region of influence, according to expectations, and nothing more needs to be done, except for Gog to stand up. There is now only one point not fulfilled: that they dwell in safety without walls in Israel. To fulfil this would not require a great length of time, especially as a state of peace has been approached a few times. The last half hour has almost ended. This generation will see the return.
The reason for understanding the times, is not so much as to know 'when', for each of us, 'when' may be tomorrow “when our soul is required”, but more to know 'why?'. We watch the affairs of the nations to see the power of Yahweh at work, to constantly re-affirm that Yahweh rules in the kingdoms of men. To acknowledge this is to show he rules in our lives, and to understand the political nature of the hope of Israel, for which Paul was happy to be bound for. The wages of the recompense of the reward is eternal life, through the 'seed' of Abraham but the substance is the land. The history of the world that matters is the history of the controversy for Zion, the Land. And for this there were times appointed,
Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times. What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (Isaiah 14:31-32)
We have been told everything we need to know and all the major events,
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)
Daniel said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (Daniel 2:20-21)
We have been told Yahweh controls the events in the Nations. To ignore the times when we have been given so many of them related to quite specific events is to be the reverse of wise.
Of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; two hundred (1Chron. 12:32)
To understand the times was equal to knowing what to do. And those wise in the times were wise in the law.
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: (Ester 1:13)
Israel was condemned for not knowing its times, at least twice,
Yea, the stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7)
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Matt. 16:3)
Whereas the faithful would know, others would be in darkness
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1Thes. 5:1-4)
Those that wait shall understand and see the day coming. We can now know the day is no longer far off, the words shall not be prolonged.
Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he sees is for many days to come, and he prophesies of the times that are far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Yahweh; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord Yahweh. (Ezekiel 12:27-28)
Paul speaks of 'times', so the end of the 'kingdom of men' is not a day, or a single year a 'time', but a period of time that ends many times.
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ: (Ephesians 1:10)
And the end is a beginning where all things in heaven, the rulers and on earth the people are gathered in one in Messiah (Anointed).
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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
Over all of history the servants of God have known the signs of the times: their times. They have seen the direction of events toward the Kingdom of God on earth replacing the kingdoms, republics and democracies of humans.
An article prompted by National DNA day April 25 celebrating the understanding of DNA.
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
