Times or Seasons

Times or Seasons.  Sharing terms, but not definitions, that even the philosophers and astrologers used, the New Testament references time in three main ways with three main vocabulary words: (1) chronological time or the linear sequence of measurable minutes [chronos, 54x], (2) seasonal time or the timeliness of an abstract opportunity as the right time [kairos, 84x], and (3) eternal time or the eschatological ages when time merges with timelessness [aionios 71x]. It is, therefore, not a surprise that these three terms do not all appear in any singular Bible verse.

The ancients seemed more comfortable than moderns in combining mathematics, mysticism, and myth to the idea of time. As such, they were nearly unanimous in attributing the three modes of time to three deities: (1) Saturn controlled quantitative, homogeneous, secular time [chronos], (2) Uranus controlled qualitative, heterogeneous, seasonal time [kairos], and (3) Neptune controlled unbounded, sacred or eternal time [aion]  (credit: Matthew D. Segall, “Minding Time,” Footnotes2Plato.com). Nevertheless, the New Testament presents unapologetically that Jesus is the embodiment, fulfillment, and controller of all three modes of time.

Here are three examples of Jesus’ lordship over time: “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time (kairos), and in the age to come eternal life (aionios)” (Luke 18:29-30). “So the crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever (aionios). How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘The light is among you for a little while longer (chronos). Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you” (John 12:34-35). The disciples asked the risen Christ, “Lord, will you at this time (chronos) restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6), Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times (chronos) or seasons (kairos) that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). Clearly, answers exist to the disciples’ time question, but access has been temporarily denied in lieu of a more immediate concern, namely, their commission. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Leave time and timing to me; you go proclaim the gospel.