What does Acts 1:7 teach about God's authority over times and seasons? Setting the Scene The disciples have just asked Jesus if He is about to “restore the kingdom to Israel.” Their hearts hunger for a timetable. Jesus answers with a gentle but clear boundary line. The Key Verse “Jesus answered, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.’” — Acts 1:7 What Acts 1:7 Reveals about God’s Authority • God alone “fixed” the timetable—nothing shifts outside His decree. • “Times and seasons” encompasses every historical era, national destiny, personal milestone, and prophetic fulfillment. • The Father possesses this authority inherently; it is not delegated, borrowed, or shared. • Human curiosity meets divine confidentiality: certain details rest exclusively in God’s hands. • Jesus Himself submits to the Father’s timing, modeling perfect trust (cf. Mark 13:32). Supporting Scriptures • Daniel 2:21 — “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them.” • Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “There is a time for every purpose under heaven.” • Isaiah 46:10 — “I declare the end from the beginning… My purpose will stand.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 — “Concerning the times and seasons… the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” • Psalm 31:15 — “My times are in Your hands.” Implications for Believers Today • Rest: anxiety fades when we remember every season is already “fixed” by the Father. • Readiness: ignorance of exact dates urges constant spiritual preparedness (Luke 12:35–40). • Humility: speculation gives way to worship; we acknowledge our limited vantage point. • Patience: waiting becomes an act of faith, trusting God’s clock over our own. • Obedience: instead of calculating schedules, we focus on the assignments He has clearly revealed (Acts 1:8). Takeaway Truths • God governs the calendar of history. • He withholds certain information for our good and His glory. • Confidence grows when we anchor our lives to His unchanging authority over every “time and season.” |
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