TEACHING

Don Atkin

THE RESTRAINTS OF TIMING AND SEASONS

There is an appointed time for everything. - Ecclesiastes 3:1a

We must learn the wisdom of functioning within the restraints of timing and seasons. Yes, there is more - much more - within us that is crying out for release. But, we cannot bypass the process of development that takes place over a period of time. This is true, not only for us as individuals, but also corporately as the body of Christ.

All of creation is crying out for the time when it will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:21). However, that is for a future season that must be preceded by our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Verse 23).

In the meantime, the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God, as we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves (Verses 19 and 23). Truly, there is more - much more - within us that is crying out for release!

We have been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-5). Bottom line, we are experiencing what is. And, we are eagerly longing for what is to come.

JESUS RESTRAINED

There are so many examples of the restraints of human limitations upon Jesus. He let go of His divinity and emptied Himself of all that would be impossible for mortal man, so that He might exemplify, model as the Prototype Pattern Son, what life can be for us in this season, having the first fruits of the Spirit (Philippians 2:6-7; Romans 8:22; Hebrews 6:5).

He could not do many miracles in His hometown because of the gross unbelief. The presence of doubt and unbelief severely limit us in our desire to operate in the supernatural Spirit of Christ.

Jesus was limited to being in only one place at one time. However, His word of authority - My words are spirit and life - healed the Centurion's son from a great distance. We, too, have the ability to intervene (intercede) in situations around the globe as we are guided by the Holy Spirit.

We see this divine tension between the here and now and the then and there in Jesus' dissertation regarding His role as Shepherd in John 10:

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me (Verse 14).

I have other sheep, which are not of this fold (Verse 16).

Although His statement in verse 16 is equally as true as His statement in verse 14, He could only see, name and lead those to whom He referred in verse 14. Because of the limitations of His humanity, the restraints of the timing and season, He saw by faith the other sheep.

FOLLOWERS RESTRAINED

In like manner, we are restrained from much of what we should be seeing by faith!

Our destiny as disciples of Jesus Christ is to inherit the blessings and responsibilities of Genesis 1:28: God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over (creation)." God has made the earth subject to man.

The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. - Psalm 115:16

"You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subject to him.
- Hebrews 2:7-8

Notice the language: "For a little while." "We do not yet see." We are talking about timing and seasons here! We do not yet see all things subject to us. But, they are subject to us. We are experiencing the restraint of timing and seasons. The age which is to come will come. Hallelujah!

WHAT TO DO?

Keep your eyes - fix your hope - on Jesus!

We do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. - Hebrews 2:9-10

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
- I John 3:2-3

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
- II Corinthians 3:18

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us. - Romans 8:18

Indeed, as I live all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. - Numbers 14:21

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Don't grieve the past. It's under the blood of Christ - forgiven and forgotten.

Don't waste the present. Embrace today. Don't miss the reason for this season.

Don't mortgage the future. Stay free to spontaneously respond to God.

See yourself as God sees you in your finished form, ruling as a prince in the earth. Keep your eyes upon Jesus! You are created in His image and likeness!

Blessed are those who are gentle, humble and meek. For they shall inherit the earth!