Those who are too wise in their own eyes to trust Him, will very soon find their pretensions removed, never to be found again, for God will soon separate the peoples, one group to go through the time of sifting and purification (BIG trouble), and the other to be pulled out and taken elsewhere to be awarded commensurate to their level of humble service. (The only difference between these two groups is the applied blood of Jesus Christ!)
When Paul speaks of this separation (the very definition of holiness), he calls it the blessed hope. He says that this day comes like a thief in the night, but that "you are not children of darkness that the day should come on you like a thief". We are children of the day and will "see the day approaching". Daniel was told, by the angel, when he asked for clarification on when these things would be, that the "words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end". Daniel was not to be the one who was to understand these prophesies, only those who would experience them. Jesus, when asked by the disciples when He would restore Israel to kingdom status, told them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority". The rejection of the messiah meant that these kingdom promises were not meant for their generation, the one that saw His first advent.
God has given us many prophesies. He told us ahead so we would believe. (John 13:19) We are clearly meant to understand. The angel told Daniel that "at the time of the end" "those who are wise will understand". (Dan 12:9) God's people are held responsible for knowing and understanding what He is doing. How can we do His will if we do not know what is expected of us? "What I say unto you, I say unto you all: Watch!" (Mark 13:36) We will know, by virtue of "watching", what is coming and when.
Those very verses of scripture which many take to be a warning not to set dates, they take also to mean that we do not dare even to investigate, but these verses are actually instruction to do just that, which is to inquire and gain understanding from The Lord. Now is the time for these mysterious predictions to be opened to us, those who are looking to Him, those whom He will teach, and open their eyes to understanding. We must know when the signs are to happen! Be the good soldier of Christ and do not be found asleep on your watch!
Luke 12:36-40
36 Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38 Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
