The weather has captivated me. We are living in days when we can witness worldwide weather phenomenon from the comfort and safety of our living room couches and smartphones and watches, usually without needing to actually experience the weather firsthand. We have access to data derived from mega super computers hooked up to other mega super computers that are observing the world with their sensors.
We have access to many different types of weather charts. There are government weather charts, which show many different ways to observe what's currently happening in our country here in the United States as well as around the world. There is this awesome global 3D wind, weather, and oceans chart that was created by a college student originally, which shows an incredible visual interpretation of data collected from sensors around the globe. At a glance, we can look at any number of websites which shows us the current temperatures, lightning strikes, color satellite and radar imagery, just to list a few. We have websites which predict weather for the next 15 minutes, the next 30 minutes, the next hour, the next 4 hours, the next day, all the way out to weeks and months and even years in advance, with varying accuracy. There are multiple websites which show us historical weather data merely by entering in a zip code and a date. If you are inclined to write software, many of these websites have made their weather data available for free or for a nominal fee, so that you can access their API and aggregate and process whatever data they make available. Unlike any time in history before us, we understand more about weather than ever before while simultaneously we are witnessing weather scientists becoming dumbfounded and baffled more frequently and by greater weather events than have ever been witnessed before. At the same time that our ability to observe and show past, present, and future data from around the world has grown exponentially, so, too, have the spectacles to watch grown in frequency, intensity, and unprecedented variety than any of us alive today can remember the weather ever being like, or find in historical charts anywhere.
We all are traveling through time, time travelers. Most people don't make much effort to consider time more than a blunt understanding of what it is, and that is ok. Yet, it is worth the time it takes to write these words, to write about time and perhaps share some insight into our human condition and if at all possible, provide some freedom in one way or another, or if only mentally, to think with more depth into this subject we refer to as time. I happen to be someone who has thought a considerable amount about time, and I spent a lot of time thinking wrongly about time, because I wanted it to so badly be something which it is not, but when I stopped and discovered it for what it is, I was more marveled by God's infinite wisdom than what I had previously wanted time to be, in my greedy and short-sighted perspective.
Many things can be truly said about time, and they don't all have to agree, because time is such a ubiquitous word that we must strive to be more specific with it, to speak of it more than in a general sense, and time can be had in many different contexts, without even being the same thing from one to the other, in regard of what people mean and convey when they use the word "time" in their vocabulary. There are books that cleverly explore time as experienced from different perspectives and in different formulations, and there are people who go off into some strange tangents of reality, itching to redefine time as something more than what it is simply.
A most simple definition of time is simply "the passage of time." Time itself is the passage of time. This requires, then, a prior understanding of what is time, to be able to agree with the self-referential definition of time. Stepping, then, sub-circular, to expand this definition of time and break it down into smaller parts to describe the greater "passage of time," time itself is a language that we use to describe an observation. It is arguable what is this observation, as different people perhaps would say they mean to observe differently, but at its simplest fashion, concretely and abstractly, this language we call time is used to describe our perception of light and motion. Seconds, minutes, hours, and days are words we use to measure minute changes in light cast by the rays of the sun as our planet orbits and rotates around it on a perfect cushion of gravity. This kind of time is called dimensional time, and it is what physicists generally refer to when they refer to the "4th dimension." It's only spooky because they call it a "dimension," but I don't. Time itself is not a dimension, and I would assert that it is a misnomer to call it so, even though I am here calling this observation of time using seconds, minutes, and hours as a thing called "dimensional time." I am calling it here because it is a measurable observation, though for pragmatic reasons I don't need to argue against calling time a dimension any more than these few words here. Another form of this observation of time (as in, the passage of time) is what could be called "experiential time." I have written a post that discusses further aspects of this line of thought here.
Time is not really something which needs to be focused on very often, when we are doing other things right, but, when our focus in life is off kilter, it is worth examining our focus and understanding of time, and whether we are looking at time properly. Time is not a spooky thing, or really a thing at all, except for the fact that we observe it passing, we observe our events and we call this "time" as we look across our memories and hopes and present standings. If someone were to ask, "What is it that we should examine, if we find our need to "focus on time" and find how we handle it?" .. I would point them to first pray and ask God to help with this understanding, because He is the One Who is continuously leading us and growing us through His Word, and it is imperative that first a person examines their place with God, and whether they have the answer of a good conscience towards God. If the answer to this is "no, I do not have the answer of a good conscience towards God," then it is of utmost importance for this person to first know this rest, before moving on to discuss other lesser important things such as definitive definitions of the passage of time. Should this person then state that they are, indeed, at rest in their soul because they trust in Jesus Christ and have obeyed His Word and repented of their sins and have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then I would encourage them to examine whether they really are aware of and are embracing this holy rest which has been purchased by Jesus Christ through His blood on the cross. Many so-called "Christians" today look no different from the world, and they suffer all the same problems and consequences of the world, because they have never actually surrendered to Christ, and their soul is not at rest, and they are continuously searching for that contentment which Jesus Christ has delivered to all those who believe in Him.
For someone who is content in their relationship with Jesus Christ, this indicates that this person does indeed know the rest which He provides, and they carry this rest with them whether they are hard at work or fast asleep or playing in the sand or studying in books or gazing at the stars. This person can be content to go wherever God leads them, and to explore whatever pasture He has provided, because they are secure in their God and they trust His will for their life.
For someone who knows Jesus Christ, I would encourage them to look into the future with His help. For someone who does not know Jesus Christ, they are already intently focused on their future, and that is the cause of most of their problems: the fear of death. Jesus Christ has conquered death, and He helps His believers overcome this fear, and for those who have obeyed and repented and been baptized in His name, this fear is powerless and we no longer fear dying in our sin, because we no longer live as slaves to our sin. When we mess up, His Holy Spirit brings us back on track. When we are wrong, our spirit is grieved and we repent quickly. When others offend us, we don't take offense, and we forgive them because we have first been loved this way. For someone who knows the gentle voice of our Father in Heaven, if you are interested in the future, I encourage you, because we are all.
Every one of us predicts the future. It's written into our being. Plants and animals also all predict the future. When a plant sends out tendrils to find sunlight, water, shelter, air, and structure to belong to, it tests and finds rhythms and patterns that help it decide where to send further tendrils, based on what it predicts the future will be like. When a dog and its master are playing fetch with a stick, the dog learns to trust its master, and the more loyal they are to one another, the better the dog can predict what his master will do, so that even before the stick is thrown, the dog can be off in full-sprint, merely because his master has picked it up and said, "wanna play?" Plants and animals do, indeed, predict the future, and they are fairly good at it. Humans are really good at it, too, but, because of our sin nature, many people have succumbed to a lesser expectation for their own selves, and have become blinded by the darkness all around them, and most people would not claim to be able to "know the future," although they "know the future" each day they get up and press buttons, go on drives, invest their time, and sit in chairs. We all know the future, but not everyone allows their self access to all that they know, because somewhere along the way we have been taught that it is better to ignore grand truth, in favor of smaller illusive realities.
Another example to show that you and every awake and healthy person can predict the future: If you were to walk in a room, and someone were to say, "head's up" and as you turn your head in their direction, you see them toss a baseball at your face, you would likely instantly know that if you do not move, your future is going to involve pain, and you would likely adjust, either by raising your hands to catch or deflect the ball, or you would move out of the way.. or you would mentally flail, ineffectively frozen in panic, knowing your future full-well, and get smashed in the face nonetheless. Many people today seem to be aware that they would fall into this last category, of being frozen in fear in the moment when they need to make a decision. This is representative of a mass audience of people who have heard some of the Good News of Jesus Christ, but who have not been told the truth about what He actually said and what He actually did and Who He actually is and why He actually came. God tells us several times in His Word that the fearful will not inherit the Kingdom of God. God tells us "Do not fear. Rest. It is well." several different times throughout His Word in many different places. We do not need to fear the future, unless our future is bleak and ends with death.
God tells us what the future looks like. For people who already believe in Jesus Christ, there is perhaps a level of trepidation as we read accounts of people being beheaded or stoned or mobbed or hung or run through with blades or burned at the stake, and as we realize that at least 11 out of the closest 12 disciples of Jesus Christ suffered horrendous deaths at the hands of angry men. For people who have fear of this sort of thing, as we draw nearer and nearer to the end of time, it will be less and less appealing to want to join this group called "Christians," because why would anyone want to join such a hated and diverse group of individuals, who claim to love their invisible Friend in Heaven, when all around them these people are losing their lives for merely identifying as a Christian? Also, with all of the false prophets and fake Christianity going around today, there are a lot of bad examples and bad expectations being set, so that when people come in contact with tv shows like "The Chosen" or with preachers like "Joel Osteen" who preach a Jesus that never was, these people are led to believe in a false, made-up god such as any other false religion, because they're not seeing their need for Christ, and they're not seeing Christ.
Very soon, it will be obvious who the real believers in Christ are, because they have truly seen their need for Him, and when they have trusted in Him, He has provided, and when they haven't thought about their needs, He has provided, and when they look back upon their lives, they see He has been providing all along. These people will stand out in stark contrast to those who are campaigning to get you to join their cause, or the ones who are passionate about everything the world is passionate about, or the ones who promise fame and fortune in this life, as if Jesus is a cheap magician with a vending machine. All of these people can look ahead and know their future, but they have been told to focus on their present indulgences, and many of these people could not care less about hearing the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Yet, there are some. There is usually at least one person in every group who before knew Jesus and wants to return, or who has acknowledged their need for a Saviour, but has not yet been given any explanation about Him. For a person who already believes in Jesus Christ, when we find our self in a dark place, where peoples' eyes are darkened and their ears are shut, it can sometimes seem easy to think that there is nobody who has hope, but we can believe that if Jesus Christ led us to a place, then there is Kingdom business being taken care of, because whether we know it or not, whether we know what He is doing or not, God lives in us as His Holy Spirit, and when He brings us to a place, we can trust that He is up to something good there, and no matter who we think may or may not be watching, we can know that God sees us, and we can know that He has a purpose for us.
There is coming a period of time when it is going to stop raining. I know this because I know that God said it, and I know that what God says is true, and will happen. Knowing this is the future, what can be done about it? Part of this answer is different, depending on the person, but the answer is also the same: trust God. Love God, love people, and know that God will provide. We can read about this in the 11th chapter of Revelation, where it describes God's two witnesses are given the power to cause plagues and to cause it to not rain during the time of their ministry. The Bible says "these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth." Knowing this is the future, how should we then live? We should be living in humility and prayer. We should be doing what we can to tell the world about the Good News of believing in Jesus Christ as our Saviour. We should be considering what is our purpose in the stewardship which God has blessed us with. We should be content with where we are, and content as being able to enjoy the corners of the field within which God has sent us to labor.
How many people wither at the thought of the future?
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21.19-28
There in v26 we read about men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. We in these days have been given living room box seats to the end of the world. Does this bring you fear or does this thrill you? I must say I am thrilled at the concept of a New Heaven and a new Earth, but I am very concerned that it appears that this is all about to take place shortly, culminating in the next 8 years or so, and so few people seem to care about the tremendous time which is ahead of us. I am content with this concern, because it leads me to pray and trust in Jesus more. This concern is not the same thing as the worry that people are experiencing every day when they wake up without the knowledge of God, or without the saving knowledge of the blood of Jesus Christ, or without the comfort of knowing that His Holy Spirit is being poured out and is accessible to every person today.
One day, every person is going to meet God and give an account for the words they said and the life they lived. How many people will have the testimony to God that you shared His Good News with them? How many people will tell God that they believed on His Son Jesus Christ because you shared the story of His virgin birth, His perfect life, and His sacrificial death, burial, and His historical resurrection? Will there be anybody in Heaven who tells God that the reason they knew to believe was because you told them about the blood of Jesus Christ and their need for forgiveness? Will there be any people who testify that you loved them with God's love in such a way to cause them to want to know Jesus Christ?
There is a great bunch of stuff ahead. None of it will seem great to those who are perishing. There are storms today and storms on the horizon. These storms are going to cause you to consider your salvation and the salvation of others. Some people are prepared because they know that no storm is bigger than God, and by His Word God will calm the storms. What could possibly prepare people for what is next? Patience and faith in Jesus Christ, nothing else.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesian 6.10-18
