| When
the disciples asked the Lord a question concerning the future
restoration of Israel, 'Lord wilt thou at this time restore
again the Kingdom of Israel?,' He answered, 'It is not for you
to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath put in his
own power', Acts. 1. 7. Although men are not permitted to know
the exact timing of future events, the Lord has revealed all
that is necessary for men to enter into the blessings of His
salvation, by acknowledgement of their sin and faith in Christ.
All who trust in his finished work at Calvary are secure
for the future an will be associated with Christ at His Second
Coming and subsequent millennial reign.
God leaves it
to the individual choice of each person to respond to the gospel
in this present day, with the knowledge that Christ could return
to rapture the church at any moment. This must therefore be a
test of man generally, i.e. how will they respond to the gospel
of His grace? Will they acknowledge their sin and by faith trust
Him for salvation knowing that the Lord has gone to a 'far
country', Matt. 21 33, but could return at any moment. It is
suggested therefore that the reason the Lord has not
communicated to men the exact timing of the Rapture and Second
Coming is to keep them expectant. If unbelievers knew the date
of His return they might be tempted to continue in sin until
shortly before His return? Believers, too, should be living in
an attitude of expectancy; are we serving Him as if each
day might be our last on this earth.
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