Notice the words 'under heaven' in this verse? Indeed, there is a time and season for everything here on earth. The author of this book then wrote, 'He has made everything beautiful in its time...' (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
As a matter of fact, Jesus knew His time (and timing) while on earth. In John 2:4, He said, "My hour (timing) has not yet come" when a wedding banquet ran out of wine. Later on, in the right timing, He then performed His first miracle by turning water to wine. In Luke 4:29-30, when those in the synagogue wanted to kill Him by throwing Him down over the cliff, He somehow managed to free Himself, because His time (to die) was not yet.
In the natural (physical) realm, animals too are created with the ability to sense and cope with seasonal changes. Winter can be harsh. In the wild, there is less food available in winter time. These animals need to learn to prepare enough food and enough warmth as winter draws near. If they miss the time, chances are they will not survive. Some would collect (gather) food in the hole or underground. Some would grow thicker coat of fur so they can retain heat. Some others would avoid the difficulties of winter by reducing their metabolic rate, going into a time of hibernating (when the body temperature drops and the heartbeat reduces). They look dormant, almost like dead, but they are actually still alive.
So, how do you know you are in time, out of time, or behind time? How do you know if you are walking in the perfect timing of the Lord? How do you know the time and season in your life (and in every aspect of your life)? And how not to miss your time?
In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the Bible says, '...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...'
The name 'Issachar' here is 'Yissakar' in Hebrew, from two words, i.e. 'nasa' ('naw-sar') meaning 'to lift, to rise (higher than others)', and 'sakar' meaning 'to benefit, to reward'. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for 'eagle' is 'nesher', which comes from this same root word 'nasa'. Isaiah 40:31 says, '...those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles ('nesher'), they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here is 'qavah' in Hebrew, which means 'to gather, to collect, to bind (together) like twisting the cord'. In other words, a time of waiting on the Lord is also a time of building (and strengthening) one's relationship with the Lord. It is only then that something new is conceived and birthed forth!
Putting the two words ('nasa' and 'sakar') together, the meaning of this name 'Issachar' becomes clear, i.e. when you know the time and season of the Lord in your life (and walk in it), you too will see your reward ('sakar')!
The word 'times' here in 1 Chronicles 12:32 is 'paam' in Hebrew, which speaks of 'the movement in the spiritual realm'. Ask the Holy Spirit to sensitize your spirit man, so that you too will know the 'movement' in the spiritual realm around you. The key here is to be 'hooked' ('connected') to the Holy Spirit (who is all-knowing). It is when you are in tune with the Holy Spirit that you will 'catch' the 'frequency' and 'transmission' of the Holy Spirit in your life! And that's how you will move with such precision like that of an eagle ('nesher').
So, what time are you in now?
Just as there is winter time and there is summer time in the natural (physical) realm, there is also preparation time and harvest time in the spiritual realm.
Are you in a 'winter time' when nothing seems to be happening at the moment? Take heart, because your spring time and summer time will come, if you do not give up looking to Him and putting your hope in Him! Indeed, you will mount up with wings like eagles again (Isaiah 40:29-31).
Kronos (chronos) time:
A time to keep building, building, building... and a time to keep preparing, preparing, preparing...
Like a planter who keeps tending the plants, yet no fruits to be harvested yet. Or like a tree growing its fruits, but not ripe for the picking yet. As you can see here, a waiting time is not a wasted time.
This Greek word 'kronos' ('chronos') is where the English words 'chronicles' or 'chronology' come from. It means 'a time implying a fixed time (duration), a waiting (lingering, delayed) time, a time that can be measured (by the physical clock)'. In short, it means 'to take time'. You can find this word 'kronos' ('chronos') in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, when the Bible talks about preparing for the Lord's coming.
Kairos time:
A time when the 'fruit' is ripe for the picking (harvesting). In 1 Chronicles 12:32 (Greek Old Testament), the word 'times' ('paam' in Hebrew) here is translated as 'kairos'. It means 'a time (occasion) implying a set time, an opportune time (when a thing should be done), an appointed time (to accomplish a God-given task)'. In short, it means 'the right moment'. Interestingly, the next few chapters following 1 Chronicles 12:32 are about the right time (timing) to bring the ark of the covenant (which speaks of 'the presence of the Lord' or 'the glory of the Lord') back to the city of God! (see 1 Chronicles chapters 13, 14, 15)
Other examples of the word 'kairos' in the Bible:
Mark 1:15 (NKJV): "The time ('kairos') is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel".
Acts 3:19 (NKJV): "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times ('kairos') of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".
Luke 12:56 (NKJV): "You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth (rain, or hot weather), but how is it you do not discern this time ('kairos')?"
Atomos time (our final victory):
A time of our final victory as the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, the Bible says, '...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed'. The word 'moment' here is 'atomos' in Greek, which actually means 'uncut, indivisible', where the English words 'atom' or 'atomic' come from. You see, even 'one second' can be further 'divided' into, say, 'half a second', 'a quarter of a second', 'a hundredth of a second', or even 'a thousandth of a second', but an 'atomos' is 'a unit that cannot be further divided'. And in such 'atomos' time (in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye) some day, Jesus will return! And that's when we shall all be in eternity (not time-bound, not limited by time, ageless). 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 says it aptly, 'For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."' Amen.
