"His Timing"

Scripture Passage

Revelation 11:1-14:20

Scripture Focus

“Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge.” (Revelation 14:7 NLT)

Observation

There’s a phrase that shows up three times in today’s reading. It captured my attention when I read it in chapter 14, verse 7…

“For the time has come…” (Revelation 14:7 NLT)

It shows up earlier in chapter 11, verse 18—“the time of your wrath has come”—and later in chapter 14, verse 15—“the time of harvest has come.” Those words affirm this reality:

For all the fanstasic imagery of these chapters…for all the questions these verses raise (and those questions they answer)…this simple phrase reminds me that all of this activity never happens by chance. Rather, everything I read in Revelation is being orchestrated by the One who holds all things in His control and who directs history to serve His purpose. My responsibility is to wait patiently for His timing to emerge.

That’s not easy—and will only grow more difficult as God’s plan unfolds. Revelation 13:10 and 14:12 both challenge believers to “endure persecution patiently,” remaining faithful while waiting for “the time” to come. All the details of how and when God’s plan unfolds are not ours to know. Elsewhere in Scripture, believers are reminded that “timing is the Father’s business” (Acts 1:7 MSG). “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7 NIV)

What is knowable—what we can have confidence in—is this: God is so mighty…so powerful…that He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11 NIV). Confident in that—confident in Him—I can leave the timing up to the Father and endure any wait patiently and faithfully, until that day this verse is fulfilled:

“It has come at last—
     salvation and power
and the Kingdom of our God,
     and the authority of his Christ.”
               (Revelation 12:10 NLT)

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