Times and Seasons
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The concept of "times and seasons" in the Bible refers to the divinely appointed periods and events that unfold according to God's sovereign plan. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's control over history and the natural order.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "moed" is often used to denote appointed times or seasons. These are times set by God for specific purposes, such as festivals, feasts, and sacred assemblies. Leviticus 23 outlines the "appointed times" for Israel, including the Sabbath, Passover, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These times were not only for worship but also served as reminders of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 famously reflects on the nature of time, stating, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This passage underscores the cyclical nature of life and the divine orchestration of events. The Preacher acknowledges that God has made everything beautiful in its time, highlighting the mystery and majesty of God's timing.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek words "chronos" and "kairos" are used to describe time. "Chronos" refers to chronological or sequential time, while "kairos" signifies the opportune or appointed time. The New Testament emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises through the coming of Jesus Christ, marking the "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4).

Jesus Himself speaks of times and seasons in Acts 1:7, saying, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority." This statement highlights the mystery of God's timing and the call for believers to trust in His sovereign plan.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

The prophetic books of the Bible often speak of times and seasons in relation to God's judgment and redemption. Daniel 2:21 declares, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them." This verse affirms God's control over political and historical events, reassuring believers of His ultimate authority.

Eschatologically, the concept of times and seasons is crucial in understanding the end times. Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and the book of Revelation provide insights into the signs and seasons leading up to His second coming. Believers are encouraged to be watchful and discerning, recognizing the signs of the times while remaining steadfast in faith.

Practical Implications for Believers

For Christians, understanding times and seasons involves recognizing God's hand in the unfolding of history and personal life events. It calls for a posture of trust, patience, and readiness, as believers await the fulfillment of God's promises. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 5:16 to "make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil," urging a wise and discerning approach to the present time.

In summary, the biblical concept of times and seasons serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout history.
Topical Bible Verses
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:
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2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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Revelation 20:2-5
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
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Revelation 11:3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.
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Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.
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Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
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Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given to the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
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Greek
2540. kairos -- time, season
... 2), occasion (1), opportune time (1), opportunity (3), proper time (5), right time
(1), season (1), seasons (4), short* (1), time (54), times (11), while (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2540.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
4150. moed -- appointed time, place, or meeting
... assemblies (1), fixed festivals (3), meeting (147), meeting place (1), meeting places
(1), season (4), seasons (3), set time (1), time (3), times (1), times ...
/hebrew/4150.htm - 7k
Library

Sometimes, However, There were Seasons of Scarcity; yet they were ...
... Book I. 15 Sometimes, however, there were seasons of scarcity; yet they were
relieved by times of plenty.? Sometimes, however, there ...
/.../15 sometimes however there were.htm

True Revivals.
... There are times and seasons when the good Lord draws especially near to sinners
to convert and save them; times when His Spirit manifests Himself more fully in ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxvii true revivals.htm

Christ Acted for Our Advantage in Being Unwilling to Reveal the ...
... Which example the Apostle also followed: "But of the times and seasons, brethren,"
he says, "ye have no need that I write unto you." [2791] Thus not even the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii christ acted for.htm

Isaiah was Sent by the Spirit, and Accordingly the Same Spirit was ...
... the Seraphim, so they veil the face or the feet of God; inasmuch as in God, Who
has neither beginning nor end, the whole course of times and seasons, from this ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxi isaiah was sent.htm

Matt. xxiv. 33, 34
... For now indeed He hath mentioned infallible signs, many and endless; but then He
saith merely, "It is not for you to know times or seasons." And then that they ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxvii matt xxiv 33.htm

The Lenten Fast.
... Many other times and seasons come to us laden with the same spiritual influences,
and to be used by us as times of reflection, inspiration, purification, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xiii the lenten fast.htm

That in God There is but one Only Act, which is his Own Divinity.
... for days and years, [60] "we see even to this day a perpetual revolution and succession
of times and seasons which shall continue till the end of the world. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that in god.htm

The Parting Promises of the Saviour.
... to His Church, of His kingdom already set up,"something of which, just for this
reason, He could say, It is not for you to know times and seasons, because it ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxvi the parting promises of.htm

Prayer and vigilance
... power? How can he fail, if in addition to putting on the armour of God
he be, at all times and seasons, "watching unto prayer"? ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm

The Ascension
... The 'times and seasons,' the long stretches of days, and the critical epoch-making
moments, are known to God only; our business is, not to speculate curiously ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the ascension.htm

Resources
Could an EMP attack be a part of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org

Is ISIS a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Times: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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