What does "no one knows the day or hour" teach about God's sovereignty? Setting the Scene Jesus has just described the signs leading up to His return. The disciples want a timetable. Instead, He anchors their hope in the Father’s perfect plan. Key Verse “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” — Matthew 24:36 What the Phrase Reveals About God’s Sovereignty • God alone holds the timeline. His omniscience is absolute; nothing is hidden from Him (Isaiah 46:9-10). • The future is fixed by His decree. The moment of Christ’s return is not random but already appointed (Acts 17:31). • Heavenly beings and even the incarnate Son, in His self-limited humanity, defer to the Father’s authority—showing perfect order within the Godhead (John 5:30). • Human speculation is silenced. By withholding the date, God reminds us that we are creatures, not co-planners (Job 38:2). • Certainty rests in God’s character, not in charts or predictions. Since He rules time itself (Daniel 2:21), His plan cannot be rushed, delayed, or thwarted. • Sovereignty includes mercy: the “unknown” day allows time for people to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Practical Implications for Believers • Live expectantly: Christ could return at any moment (1 Thessalonians 5:2). • Cultivate humility: acknowledge the limits of human knowledge and expertise. • Trust God’s timing in every area of life—“My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). • Focus on obedience today rather than calendars for tomorrow (Luke 12:35-36). • Guard against deception; false date-setters deny God’s exclusive right to the schedule (Matthew 24:4-5). • Encourage perseverance: because the day is fixed, endurance is never wasted (James 5:7-8). Complementary Scriptures • Acts 1:7 — “Jesus replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.’” • Isaiah 46:9-10 — “I am God…declaring the end from the beginning…saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” • Psalm 115:3 — “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” • Revelation 1:8 — “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.’” |
    |