![]() Unfortunately, Israel’s leaders rejected “present truth” because of traditions, arrogance, and ignorance. When the time came for “present truth” (a truth which had been hidden from Israel) to unfold in Paul’s day, God revealed it. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” (Ephesians 3:2–3, 8–9 italics mine) The mystery that had been kept hidden for ages past was, “that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 3:6, italics mine) This is a prophetic mechanism that never fails: On or about the time of fulfillment, God ensures that students of His Word discover “present truth.” For example, this process explains why and how the wise men found Baby Jesus!Īfter the apostle Paul converted to follow Jesus, Paul was overjoyed when God explained a mystery that had been hidden for ages! Notice Paul’s words: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. (Daniel 12:4–9) Because we have arrived at the appointed time, the Father has unsealed these mysterious books because the time for their fulfillment has come. For example, God hid many secrets in the books of Daniel and Revelation until “the appointed time of the end” arrives. God also releases more truth about Himself, His plans, and His ways when the time is right. The Father has blessed mankind tremendously during the past two centuries through this dramatic increase in knowledge. Therefore, He began releasing truth about the physical sciences in little packets over time so that more complex discoveries could occur later on in an orderly way. ![]() He also foreknew the supporting infrastructures that would be necessary before each of these discoveries could thrive. For example, thousands of years ago, the Father foreknew that we would use light bulbs, airplanes, automobiles, antibiotics, refrigeration, and computers in the 21st century. No one can discover something before the Father permits it. When the time is right, He releases truth. With God, the time for truth is as important as truth itself. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12–13) This is why Jesus said on another occasion, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. What would have happened to the disciples if Jesus had explained how the little horn in Daniel 7 would persecute the saints for more than a thousand years? What would have happened if Jesus had told the disciples He would judge mankind in about two thousand years? This knowledge would have destroyed early Christians and the Christian movement. The latter meaning is correct because the Father has revealed times and dates in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. People who wish to silence any excitement that Jesus may return very soon use this verse as an “intellectual refuge.” Many Christians interpret this verse to say, “No one know the day or hour,” but Jesus said, “No one knows the day or hour.”Ī few days before Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples asked Him, “ ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’ ” (Acts 1:6–7) What did Jesus mean by these words? Did Jesus mean, “no one will ever know the times and dates which the Father has set,” or did Jesus mean, “future times and dates the Father sets could not be revealed at that time?” ![]() “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
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