It is absolutely essential that we have understanding of the times in which we live and in particular, an understanding of those times which lead up to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.
In Matthew 16:1-4* the Lord Jesus rebuked those who did not have understanding of the times. These unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees could understand the physical signs of the days in which they lived, but not the spiritual signs. They could tell what the weather was to be by looking up into the heavens, but had no understanding of the signs of the times.
The Saviour rebuked them saying: O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? v3.
These Pharisees and the Sadducees did not understand that the time of the first coming of the Messiah had arrived. That first coming was prophesied extensively in the Old Testament Scriptures. These Pharisees and the Sadducees had the Scriptures but yet were blind to what they revealed. Others, like Simeon and Anna, knew that the season had arrived.
