Chapter 19 – Does the blueprint reveal it is our time to know?
It is quite normal for anyone to want to know when certain events will occur mentioned in God’s word. Jesus himself dealt with this same thinking when he was here. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) This question is coming after Christ had yielded His life on Calvary and had been raised from the tomb. The Disciples are asking the question at this time because Jesus is about to leave and return to heaven. They are unaware of other aspects on the blueprint that would be necessary before this could take place, such as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Very patiently Christ informs them that this question is not for them to know.
“And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).
We find a similar circumstance with Daniel from the Old Testament. Chapter 12 begins with the introduction of a time of trouble, with a resurrection to follow, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:1-4)
These verses are filled with insight for the wise, which we will not take the time to dissect in this publication. However, notice that God is clear, at an appointed time, as the blueprint specifies, greater insight will be revealed. Daniel was asking for that insight, but God said it’s not for you, but for those living at the end. The information would be sealed up until that time, this infers that it would be made known. This is just like a contractor working their way through the particulars of a blueprint. He is not going to be concerned with the roofing details when the foundation is still being worked on. One aspect follows another, then another, then another procedure, until the whole of the project is complete; God’s plan works the same way.
It would be just at the right time that greater insight of His word would come to light. It isn’t at all about any person bringing this light to the forefront, it is all about the timing itself. The blueprint calls for certain things to occur at just the proper moment, just like in a construction project.
It is quite normal for folks in any generation, in fact in every generation, to inquire of the Lord when He would return as he promised. Christ’s disciples asked Him the very same inquisitive questions shortly after leaving the Temple area one day. “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age”? (Matt. 24:1-3) Should we not have an expectation, that the Lord would want His people to know. After-all it is their duty and responsibility to warn the world that such an event is near.
Now is the moment in time for us to consider this most obvious revelation, it’s always been there on the blueprint, but the numerical markers were ignored. We must come to grips with the Biblical fact that we are dealing with a restricted amount of probationary time left for this old would. For the Christian it will be to set your house in order and complete the mission Christ has established; the Gospel to the entire world. For the non-believer it is about making a choice. We have already been informed that tragically the vast multitude will ignore the warning and criticize the Redeemed, many will take the broad road. (Matt. 7:13-14)
Even though this is indeed unfortunate and tragic, since Christ made Salvation available to all, the remnant of God must fulfill their appointed work; we must follow and present every detail of the blueprint. Today is the day of salvation, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Remember, probationary time can close for any individual one of two ways, through death, or when God declares it closed.