The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

VIII. Pentecost Unveils “the Times and the Seasons”

Though the disciples associated with Jesus for more than three years, sitting under His marvelous instruction, and listening, on that memorable occasion on the Mount of Olives, to His great prophecy of the centuries, which was to culminate in the second advent and the establishment of His kingdom of glory, they still thought He was about to take the Messianic kingdom. They failed to grasp the prophecies of His approaching death, burial, and resurrection, which He brought clearly to their attention. And after these three tremendous events had actually occurred, the disciples again asked Jesus, just before His ascension, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time [en to chrono touto] restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. His explicit answer formed the last words to be spoken to His disciples before His ascension: PFF1 148.1

“It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Verses 7, 8. PFF1 148.2

The allusion to the times and seasons of God referred, of course, to Daniel’s explicit declaration, which must have been part of their earlier study and discussion: PFF1 149.1

“And He [God] changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.” Daniel 2:21, 22. PFF1 149.2

Christ’s statement to the as-yet-untransformed disciples was made in immediate connection with the command that they were to remain in Jerusalem, awaiting the baptism of the Holy Spirit a few days thence. When that transformation should occur, then their minds would be spiritually opened to understand “the times and the seasons.” Moreover, they were then, and by that means, to become inspired channels for unfolding to mankind the outline of God’s plan of the ages, with its consummation at the second advent. And the apostles’ witness, near and far, explicitly concerned those very times and seasons that are tied into the divine plan of salvation. PFF1 149.3

Thus on the day of Pentecost, Peter’s first words were an exposition of the prophecy of Joel and of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that had its initial fulfillment on that very day. And from this point onward, he interpreted the prophecies concerning the first advent, and Christ’s crucifixion, according to the “determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” Acts 2:23 PFF1 149.4

Shortly thereafter, addressing the people congregated in the temple porch, Peter again declares Christ’s death to be the fulfillment of the predictions before “shewed by the mouth of all His prophets” (Acts 3:18), and again launches into a declaration concerning the “times” of God: PFF1 149.5

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times [kairoi] of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord: and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Verses 19-21 PFF1 149.6

Then Peter continues to expound: “All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” Verse 24. Peter’s epistles, evidently written long afterward, will be discussed later. PFF1 150.1