The Bible says, ‘It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter[1]’. This is certainly true, and the challenge is that Christians are royal priests, and thus we have this all-mighty quest to search out these hidden mysteries of the Lord. This characteristic of God has many explanations, including: the desire for God to pursue Him; an enticement to grow deeper in Him as we pursue the hidden of the Lord; a not-so-subtle reminder of who is God; His desire for us to partner with Him in His work and to understand His ways; a way of learning that much is hidden in the kingdom of God, and not the kingdoms of this world; and, because sometimes we can only cope with the knowledge in the moment, where His grace prevails. If ever there was a concealed matter, it is the timing and way of the return of Christ, including the precise events leading up to this ‘second coming’, and beyond.
For sure, the Bible provides many indicators as to the timing of this awesome event, and Scripture also provides many hints to the key milestones that mark the way. And yet, there is certainly ambiguity about these, and Jesus Christ made it clear that only the Father knew the precise moment in time (Kairos and Chronos) when the Saviour of the world would come to complete the work of salvation. God cherishes faith most highly, and where is faith if we know all things, particularly the way and timing of His return? Faith believes, and does not need to know all, rather trusts in the Lord.
Another mystery is that the Lord chose for a season to even hide many prophetic insights that would give clarity to this event, even though those such as Daniel were show the last days. So, for many in the Old Testament days, the coming of the Messiah was even more vague, which may explain why it caught so many by surprise when Christ was made manifest, or perhaps it is because God in His wisdom blinded their eyes as He knew their hearts. But now, the Lord is in the business of revealing the hidden prophetic words, and events, that will point to His return. Even releasing a prophetic anointing upon a new breed of John the Baptist that will point the way, but who go pointing to the Lamb of God slain for the many, highlighting way of the coming of the triumphant Lion and King, who will sweep up His saved ones and trample underfoot wicked in all it guises. These ones join with Him to watch for the preparation of the church, and the Bride of Christ.
Are we really seeking out this most profound mystery, the second coming of the Messiah? Or do we leave it to titled theologians, ministers, or those odd prophetic people to discern these events. In truth some of these maybe equipped by God for understand, but in practice Christ spoke to us all when He said ‘watch’, ‘seek’, and ‘discern the times’. He calls us into the ultimate treasure hunt, where the prize is Him, and our complete transformation into His image. The truths of His return are made much clearer as we seek out and follow Christ Jesus, and even empty ourselves of ourselves, to make room for more of His Spirit…. who knows all things? Why, because He desires a people who would know Him, and wish to dwell with Him for who He is, not what He does. The Father has great joy in responding to His Son, and His joy is to show Him all that is to come, and those found in Christ have access to this mystery. Just to add to this mysterious time, these ones have the seal of God, and as living words of God, for He spoke them in to being, they carry words of the future. In the right time, these seals are broken, and the word in them is revealed.
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” (Matthew 2:8)
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:1-4)
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Revelations 7:2,3)
[1] Proverbs 25:2
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