“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

What Time Is It?

How many times have we asked the question, “What time is it?” As far as I can tell, time started for us in Genesis 1:1 when it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” From the time we were born, our lifetimes have been constrained and subjected to the demands of time. “A time to be born, and a time to die” and everything in between—work, play, rest, all manner of appointments and responsibilities—is scheduled by time.

We know that God operates outside of time (2 Peter 3:8) except when Jesus put on flesh and dwelt among us for a specific time and purpose to be the sacrifice for our sins. It’s hard to think about life without time restraints, that God has always existed, and we, created in His image, will live eternally. That’s a concept beyond our comprehension.

Time: we use it, waste it, invest it, spend it, and kill it; there is a short time and a long time; it many seem to drag or fly, but time marches on and waits for no one. There is an appointed time and a set time for all things.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather that lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7).

2 Peter 3:10-13 tells us that, “. . . the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?”

Do we know what time it is? Are we living in the last days? Are we able to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3)? Are we being wise and faithful to redeem the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5)? Are we being serious and watchful in our prayers?

Lord, we want and need to be aware of the time we are living in today. You have called and equipped us to be Your light to shine in this dark and evil world. We’re thankful for the hope we have in You. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!