July 31 Devotion: Time, and Times, and Half a Time

Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

         This verse in Revelation 12 refers to the days of Jacob’s trouble (the times of the Great Tribulation). It is a prophecy concerning a point in history that is not yet history. It is in the future. Foreknowledge (knowing before time) is an attribute that only God possesses. He inspired the Apostle John to write down events that would take place in the future. God knows what is to come before it gets here because he is the ever present “I AM” and the omniscient One (all knowing).

         I want to draw your attention to the phrase “time, and times, and half a time”. It is describing a time when the Jews will flee from the devil to a place of safety. Through much study throughout the ages, it has been discovered that “time, and times, and half a time” is a designation for one year, two years, and half a year (or 3 ½ years). Much could be said (and has been said) about all that takes place during these times, but I would like to zero in on one thing this morning, that should be a great encouragement to the hearts of every believer and a warning to every unbeliever. God knows every detail about everything that is going to happen before it happens. “Time, and times, and half a time” is not some arbitrary figure that fell out of the sky but is a detailed understanding of exactly how long this time period will be. God, who knows this exact time, is a God that does not (nor cannot) speculate about things. He knows them. He doesn’t guess. He doesn’t hope he gets it right. He knows what is right.

         So, here is the point for this morning. Everything that God has told us is true. If he said it will happen, then it will happen. If he said there is only one way, there is only one way. If he made a promise, he keeps it. If he said that those that die in Christ will be absent for the body and present with the Lord, then that is exactly where they will be. If he said that those that die without Christ will find themselves in hell, then that is exactly where they will be. He knows all the details about everything. There will be a 3 ½ year period (with the events surrounding it) exactly as God said it would be. Everything he has said can be trusted. Do you trust him? Are you a believer or unbeliever? If you believe, then you can believe everything he has said as settled truth. If you are an unbeliever, then you desperately need to believe what God has said is settled truth because it is. Your opinions will not change the settled truth. It is so settled that God knows it before it happens.  

In Christ's Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5