We shall know the times, for we are not in darkness

Friends, so often when I say "it is the end times", the reply of many Christians is this, "it may be 1000 years till He comes," or "no one knows the day nor the hour..." Both of these are incorrect responses and in my opinion a design of the evil one to get us to avoid watching and implementing the commandment to be vigilant. No, we will not know the hour nor the day, but we do know a great deal despite remaining ignorant of the specific time. I usually reply the best way I know how, with scriptures. Here are some for you to use or ponder further:

"Do not despise prophetic utterances" or even more clearly: "Don't despise what God has revealed." God's Word translation 1 Thess 5:20.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

Jesus spent a great deal of time answering the apostles' question about the signs at the end of the world. Why would He have done that if he had not wanted us to know? Of course, because He did want us to know. Of the rapture we are specifically commanded to watch for the signs:

Luke 21:28
"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words"

1 Thessalonians 5:6
"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

"Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Daniel 12:10

See also Jer 23:20 "...The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; but those who have insight will understand."

Revelation 3:3 reminds us that if we do NOT watch we will be ignorant, to our peril: "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

These scriptures make it clear that our duty is to watch, look, comfort, and be strong. Let us not be swayed by the traditional and erroneous view, that "we will never know." No, indeed, we will not know the exact time, (how can we? the globe has 24 time zones and 2 calendar days at any given simultaneous moment!) but we DO know the season. It is to our detriment if we do not watch and understand, for Mt 24:48-50 says

"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

It is the hour, the time, the season, and in these last days "we who have insight will understand it!" Therefore comfort one another with these words!