The Mystery of God's Timing

Read Gal 4:4-6

Galatians 4:4–6 KJV 1900

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. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

**Introduction:**

Time is a fascinating concept.

It structures our lives,

measures history,

and guides our actions.

Scientists can measure time with incredible precision, yet the essence of time remains elusive.

Could it be that time is a creation of God, designed for His purposes? Let's delve into the mystery of God's timing.

**Point 1: God's Unique Perspective on Time**

* Time as a Creation of God

* Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

* God established time as a framework for His creation.

We find descriptions in the first chapter of Genesis like “And the evening and the morning were the first day”

“And the evening and the morning were the second day” etc

* God's Time Differs from Human Time

The Bible tells us that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Imagine a farmer planting seeds in the ground. He doesn't expect an immediate harvest but knows that with time, the seeds will grow into a bountiful crop. In the same way, God's timing in our lives may require patience, but the harvest of blessings will come at the perfect moment.

* John 11 - Jesus' timing aligned with God's schedule. - Story of Lazarus

When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, he intentionally delayed his visit. Many questioned why he didn't come sooner, but Jesus knew that his timing was for a greater purpose—to perform a miracle that displayed God's glory. This teaches us that God's timing is often beyond our understanding, but it is always for a divine purpose.

* God operates outside our human constraints of time.

Just as an author can move freely through the timeline of a story they have written, God operates outside the constraints of time. He can see the entire timeline of human history from beginning to end, and His plans are not bound by our limited understanding of time.

When we feel overwhelmed by the constraints of time, we can take comfort in knowing that God is not limited by time. He sees the end from the beginning, and His plans for us are not hindered by time but are established in eternity.

William Lane Craig, a prominent Christian philosopher and theologian, presents a perspective on God's relationship to time that is often associated with the concept of "divine timelessness" or "eternalism." Here is a summary of Craig's perspective on God's time:

Timelessness of God: Craig argues that God is timeless in the sense that He exists outside of time altogether. This means that God does not experience temporal succession or undergo changes like creatures within the temporal realm. Instead, God exists in a timeless, eternal state where past, present, and future are all simultaneously present to Him.

Eternal Now: According to Craig, God's mode of existence is often described as being in the "eternal now." This means that God perceives all moments of time as equally real and present, without any sequence or succession. From God's perspective, every moment in time is "now."

Temporal Relations: Craig distinguishes between God's timeless nature and His temporal interactions with the created universe. While God exists timelessly, He can interact with temporal creatures and events in a way that is meaningful within our temporal framework. This interaction involves God's acts of creation, providence, and revelation throughout history.

**Point 2: God's Sovereignty Over Time**

* God's Control of Time

* Acts 1:7 - "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."

* Romans 8:28 - God works all things for our good according to His timing.

* God Sets the Time for His Plans

* Galatians 4:4-6 - "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son."

* God orchestrates events in His perfect timing, including the fulfillment of prophecy.

**Point 3: Trusting in God's Timing**

God's timing is always perfect and purposeful.

Looking at historical events, we can see how God's timing is always perfect. From the birth of Jesus to the spread of the early church, God worked through time to accomplish His purposes, showing us that He is not confined by our limited human understanding of time.

* Avoiding False Predictions

* Here is a list of failed end-of-the-world and second coming of Christ predictions:

William Miller (1844): William Miller, a Baptist preacher, predicted that Christ would return in 1844. This event, known as the "Great Disappointment," resulted in widespread disillusionment among Miller's followers when the prophecy did not come to pass.

Harold Camping (2011): Harold Camping, a Christian radio host, made multiple predictions about the end of the world, with the most notable being May 21, 2011. When the date passed without incident, Camping revised his prediction to October 21, 2011, which also failed to materialize.

Jehovah's Witnesses (Multiple times): The Jehovah's Witnesses organization has made several predictions about the end of the world, including 1914, 1925, 1975, and more recently, 2000. None of these predictions have come true, leading to adjustments in their teachings.

Hal Lindsey (Multiple predictions): Hal Lindsey, a prominent Christian author known for his books on prophecy, made predictions about the end times, including the idea that the rapture would occur by 1988. When this did not happen, he revised his predictions but has continued to make speculative statements about end-time events.

Edgar C. Whisenant (1988): Edgar C. Whisenant gained attention for his book "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988," predicting the rapture would occur in September 1988. When September 1988 came and went without the predicted rapture, Whisenant's prophecy was added to the list of failed end-time predictions.

Y2K (2000): The Y2K scare in the late 1990s led to fears that computer systems would malfunction at the turn of the millennium, potentially causing a global catastrophe. While significant efforts were made to address the Y2K bug, the predicted doomsday scenario did not occur.

2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Speculations: Some individuals and groups speculated that the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was a sign of the end times or that it would lead to apocalyptic events. These predictions were largely based on interpretations of biblical prophecy but did not come to pass as anticipated.

These examples highlight the recurring theme of failed predictions regarding the end of the world or the second coming of Christ throughout history. They serve as reminders of the caution Christians should exercise in setting specific dates or making definitive claims about eschatological events.

And yet they have been flooding the air waves, youtube channels, and other social media sites April 8th It’s coming

I appreciated Dr. Ken Schenk for his post recently:

Before you conclude that Mark 13:24 is happening in the next month, remember that there have been 3967 solar eclipses and 3830 lunar eclipses in the last 2000 years.

* I want to Emphasize that God alone sets the time for significant events.

Acts 1:7 “7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

* Living with Faith and Expectancy

* Acts 1:7 - "It is not for you to know the times or seasons."

* Encourage trust in God's wisdom and power rather than fixating on specific dates.

**Conclusion:**

As we contemplate the mystery of God's timing, let us trust in His Love, Wisdom and sovereignty.

Time is a tool in His hands, not a limitation for Him.

Let's avoid the pitfalls of false predictions and instead live with faith, readiness, and hope.

God's timing is perfect, and His plans will unfold in His appointed time. Amen.