Topical Bible: Seasons: General Scriptures Concerning

◄ Seasons: General Scriptures Concerning ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of seasons is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the natural order established by God and the spiritual lessons derived from the cyclical nature of time. The Bible frequently uses seasons to illustrate God's sovereignty, the rhythm of life, and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Creation and Order

The establishment of seasons is first mentioned in the creation account. Genesis 1:14 states, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years.'" Here, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is directly linked to the demarcation of time, underscoring God's intentional design in the natural world.

God's Sovereignty

The changing seasons are a testament to God's control over the universe. In Daniel 2:21 , it is written, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them." This passage highlights God's authority not only over the physical world but also over human history and governance.

The Cycle of Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 poetically reflects on the seasons of life: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." This passage emphasizes the inevitability and appropriateness of different phases in life, encouraging believers to recognize and accept the divine timing in all things.

Provision and Dependence

The seasons also illustrate God's provision and the dependence of creation on His sustenance. Psalm 104:19-20 declares, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set. You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl." This psalm celebrates the intricate balance of nature and God's ongoing care for His creation.

Spiritual Lessons

The New Testament uses the concept of seasons to convey spiritual truths. In Galatians 6:9 , Paul writes, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Here, the metaphor of sowing and reaping is employed to encourage perseverance in faith and good works, with the assurance of eventual spiritual reward.

Signs of the Times

Jesus Himself referred to the discernment of seasons as a metaphor for understanding spiritual truths. In Matthew 16:2-3 , He admonishes the Pharisees and Sadducees: "When evening comes, you say, 'The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times." This rebuke underscores the importance of spiritual awareness and readiness.

Eternal Perspective

Finally, the Bible points to an eternal season, a time when the temporal cycles of this world will give way to the everlasting reign of God. Revelation 21:23-25 describes the New Jerusalem: "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory. Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there." This vision of eternity transcends the earthly seasons, offering hope of unending light and life in God's presence.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 8:22
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 104:19
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 33:20
Thus said the LORD; If you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 2:21
And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 21:41
They say to him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard to other farmers, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 24:32
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near:
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 12:2
And at the season he sent to the farmers a servant, that he might receive from the farmers of the fruit of the vineyard.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 1:7
And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Thessalonians 5:1
But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The General Deliverance
... 2. But how are these Scriptures reconcilable to the present ... one another; perhaps
from the inclemency of seasons; from fire ... A general view of this is given us in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

Concerning Perfection.
... the apostle saith of many saints in general, Ephesians 2 ... How many scriptures tenfold
more plain do they reject ... respect to be had to the seasons and dispensations ...
/.../proposition viii concerning perfection.htm

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ...
... Chap.33, No.6. Not only are the Scriptures in their ... immediately, as all know, with
the general history of ... the division of the year into two seasons, the rainy ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxiv general principles of.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... it to say, that, according to general opinion, the ... in the furture only these two
festive seasons would be ... by references to the prophetic Scriptures, that every ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

Of Creation in General.
... heat and cold, the poisonous earth, unfruitful seasons, and malignant ... attribute of
God, but is the general nature of ... in the soul; so the scriptures say nothing ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of creation in general.htm

The Parting Promises of the Saviour.
... at all a matter of times and seasons, but has ... visible proceeds from Christ, so the
Scriptures are such ... the ordinary human point of view as general moral maxims ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxvi the parting promises of.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... He says, to know times or seasons, which the ... more testimonies out of the divine
Scriptures, concerning the kingdom ... time as the apostasy in general, but looks ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... Question Will you give any commandment concerning your bones ... These were seasons of
refreshing from the presence of the ... to their duties in the general work, and ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... of life for altering the sacred Scriptures in this ... have before recorded several
instances, in seasons of great ... a view to awaken a more general and individual ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... and the numerical principle of seasons and of ... by ourselves but even by the Scriptures,
mankind (not ... together into two kinds their general desiderative powers ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter iv concerning good light.htm