Paul's Devastating Counter-Testimony

The Apostle of the Mystery

Continued from The Backstory on TRUTH Part 1...

If we had only Jesus' words in the Olivet Discourse, the case against the false teaching would already be closed. Jesus commanded us to watch, to recognize, to know the season. But God, in His perfect wisdom, gave us more.

He gave us Paul.

The Apostle Paul received direct revelation of "the mystery" - God's eternal plan hidden from ages past but now revealed to His Church. Paul was given the stewardship of making this mystery known (Ephesians 3:2-3). And throughout his letters, Paul systematically teaches us about knowing times and seasons, about the Day of the Lord, about our blessed hope.

Paul's teaching doesn't just support what Jesus said - it explodes the false doctrine with such force that nothing remains of it.

Paul's Counter-Testimony from Ephesians

Ephesians is arguably Paul's most comprehensive revelation of God's eternal mystery and timeline. Here Paul lays out the theological foundation that makes the "you can't know" doctrine impossible to maintain.

Ephesians 1:9-10 - The Mystery Made Known

"He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth."

Key revelations:

God's will is to MAKE KNOWN the mystery

This includes "the fullness of the times" - the TIMING

The mystery concerns "the summing up of all things in Christ"

This directly opposes any "you can't know" doctrine

God's purpose is REVELATION, not perpetual concealment. The very phrase "made known to us" destroys the idea that we're meant to remain ignorant.

Ephesians 1:17-18 - The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

Paul prays for believers to receive:
A spirit of wisdom and revelation
Enlightened eyes of the heart
Knowledge of God's hope and calling

This is the exact opposite of enforced ignorance about God's plans and timing. Paul is praying for revelation knowledge - the very thing the false teaching denies is available regarding Christ's return.

Ephesians 3:3-5 - The Mystery Revealed to Apostles and Prophets

"that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before briefly. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit."

The pattern established:

Mysteries once hidden are NOW REVEALED

Revelation comes through apostles and prophets

We can UNDERSTAND by reading what they wrote

The prophetic function continues for the purpose of revelation

Paul is saying: "When you read what I've written, you can UNDERSTAND the mystery." Not guess at it. Not remain confused about it. UNDERSTAND it.

Ephesians 3:9-11 - God's Eternal Purpose Made Manifest

"and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Critical truth:

God's timeline and purpose are being MADE KNOWN THROUGH THE CHURCH

The Church reveals God's wisdom to heavenly rulers and authorities

This is God's eternal purpose

The Church is the instrument of revelation, not the recipient of perpetual ignorance

Think about this: If the Church is to make known God's wisdom to cosmic powers and authorities, how can we be kept ignorant of His most significant prophetic event? If we're to reveal God's multifaceted wisdom to principalities and powers, surely we must understand the timing of the Day of the Lord!

Ephesians 5:14-17 - Wake Up and Understand the Times

"For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Commands given:

AWAKE from sleep

Christ will SHINE on those who awaken

Walk as WISE, not unwise

UNDERSTAND what the Lord's will is

Make the MOST OF YOUR TIME (kairos - appointed time/season)

The implication: We CAN understand, we MUST be wise, we ARE to know the times and seasons. Ignorance is equated with foolishness and spiritual sleep. Wisdom is equated with understanding God's will and making the most of the appointed times.

Ephesians 6:12-13 - Wrestling Requires Knowledge

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

Paul speaks of "the evil day" - a specific time of intensified spiritual warfare.

How can we prepare for "the evil day" if we're told we can't know when it's approaching?

The entire metaphor of spiritual warfare requires prophetic awareness and readiness. A soldier who doesn't know when the battle is coming is a dead soldier.

The Smoking Gun: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

If there is one passage that completely demolishes the false teaching, it is this one. This is the smoking gun. This is Paul's explicit, undeniable teaching that believers CAN and SHOULD know about times and seasons.

"Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let's not sleep as others do, but let's be alert and sober."

This passage destroys the false teaching completely. Let's break it down:

"Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you"

Why don't they need anything written? Because believers already understand times and seasons

Paul assumes they know this already

"For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night"

"You yourselves know full well" - present tense knowledge

They know the Day's pattern and characteristics

"While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction will come upon them"

"THEM" - unbelievers will be saying "peace and safety"

"THEM" - sudden destruction comes upon THEM

"But YOU, brothers and sisters, are NOT in darkness"

Believers are NOT in darkness

We have light - understanding, knowledge, awareness

"so that the day would [NOT] overtake you like a thief"

The day will NOT surprise believers

The thief imagery applies only to those in darkness

Believers who are watching will NOT be caught off guard

"for you are all sons of light and sons of day"

Our identity includes prophetic understanding

We belong to the day, not the night

We have illumination about these things

"We are not of night nor of darkness"

We don't live in ignorance

We don't dwell in confusion about God's plans

"so then, let's not sleep as others do, but let's be alert and sober"

Commanded watchfulness based on knowledge

Alertness and sobriety flow from understanding

The conclusion is inescapable: The Day of the Lord comes as a thief ONLY to those in darkness. Believers who are watching, who are children of light, who are alert and sober, will NOT be surprised.

Paul explicitly states that believers don't need to be taught about times and seasons because they already know. He assumes prophetic literacy as normal Christianity.

This single passage makes the traditional interpretation of Matthew 24:36 impossible to maintain.

Paul's Other Letters: The Consistent Theme

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 - Not Destined for Wrath

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing."

Key points:

We are NOT destined for wrath (the Day of the Lord judgments)

This implies we'll recognize when it approaches and be removed before it begins

We are to ENCOURAGE one another with this knowledge

This encouragement is based on KNOWING we escape the wrath

How can we encourage one another with these words if we're kept ignorant of the timing? The encouragement only works if we know we're not destined for wrath and can recognize when the Day approaches.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 - Specific Signs Precede the Day

"Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction."

Paul provides SPECIFIC MARKERS:

The apostasy (apostasia - departure/falling away) must come first

The man of lawlessness must be revealed

Critical question: If we couldn't know the season of the Day of the Lord, why would Paul give us specific sequential signs to watch for?

The word "apostasia": This Greek word means "departure" and can refer to:

A physical departure/removal (the Rapture of the Church)

A spiritual falling away from the faith

Or BOTH - the sudden removal of the Church will cause massive confusion and falling away

Either way, it's a SIGN we can recognize, contradicting the "you can't know" doctrine.

Paul is saying: "Don't be deceived into thinking the Day has already come. You'll know when it's here because specific things must happen first." This assumes we're watching for these signs and will recognize them.

Romans 13:11-12 - Knowing the Time

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let's rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Paul states plainly:

"Knowing the time" - We can and do know

"The hour for you to awaken" - There's a specific season for awakening

"Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed" - Measurable progression toward the Day

"The night is almost gone, and the day is near" - Discernible proximity

This is the opposite of perpetual ignorance about timing. Paul expects believers to KNOW the time, to recognize the hour of awakening, to discern that the Day is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25 - Seeing the Day Approaching

"not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

The assumption: We can and will SEE the day drawing near

This is visual, discernible, observable proximity. How can we see something approaching if we're told we can't know anything about its timing?

The Greek word for "see" here is (blepo) - to perceive with the eyes, to discern, to behold. This is active observation, not passive ignorance.

Colossians 1:25-27 - The Mystery Now Revealed

"I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for your benefit, to fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His saints; to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The consistent pattern throughout Paul's writings:

Mysteries once hidden are NOW REVEALED

God WILLS TO MAKE KNOWN His mysteries

The Church receives this revelation

"Christ in you" is described as "the hope of glory" - which includes our glorification at His appearing

Colossians 2:2-3 - Full Assurance of Understanding

"that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Paul desires for believers:

Full assurance of understanding

True knowledge of God's mystery

Access to all treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ

This is incompatible with enforced ignorance about the most significant prophetic event. "Full assurance of understanding" doesn't sound like "you can't know anything about the timing."

Revelation: Jesus' Final Words on Watchfulness

The final book of the Bible is titled "The REVELATION of Jesus Christ" - not "The Concealment" or "The Mystery You Can't Understand." Its very purpose is to REVEAL.

Revelation 1:1-3 - Blessed Are Those Who Read and Heed

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near."

The purpose: To SHOW believers what must soon take place The promise: BLESSING for those who read, hear, and keep (guard/observe) these words The timing: "The time is near"

Question: Why would God give us a detailed revelation of end times events if we're not supposed to understand the timing?

Revelation 3:3 - To the Church at Sardis

"So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you."

This is crucial: Jesus says "IF you do not wake up" then He will come as a thief.

The implication: WAKE UP and you WILL know. Stay asleep and you WON'T know.

This directly ties to 1 Thessalonians 5:4 - the day overtakes as a thief ONLY those in darkness. The coming "as a thief" is conditional, based on whether the church is awake or asleep.

Revelation 3:10-11 - To the Church at Philadelphia

"Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown."

The promise:

Those who persevere in watching will be kept FROM (ek - out of) the hour of testing

This hour comes upon the whole world (the Tribulation)

Jesus is coming quickly

The exhortation: Hold fast so no one takes your crown - remain watchful and ready.

Revelation 16:15 - Warning in the Middle of Tribulation

"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame."

Even in the middle of judgment, the blessing is for those who STAY AWAKE.

The warning against being found "naked" echoes the Laodicean church (Rev 3:17-18) - lukewarm, thinking they're rich but actually poor, blind, and naked.

Revelation 22:7, 12, 20 - Jesus' Final Words

"And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book... Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves... He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Jesus' LAST recorded words emphasize:

"I am coming quickly" (repeated 3 times in the final chapter)

Blessing for those who KEEP (guard/observe/heed) the prophecy

Imminence requiring watchfulness

The appropriate response: "Come, Lord Jesus" - eager expectation

Why would Jesus end Scripture with urgent warnings about His quick return if we're not supposed to watch for it or understand the timing?

Paul's Devastating Testimony

Let's review what Paul (and Revelation) have taught us:

From Ephesians:

God's will is to MAKE KNOWN the mystery, including the fullness of times (1:9-10)

We receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation (1:17-18)

Mysteries are NOW REVEALED through apostles and prophets (3:3-5)

God's wisdom is MADE KNOWN THROUGH THE CHURCH (3:9-11)

We are commanded to AWAKE and UNDERSTAND God's will (5:14-17)

From 1 Thessalonians (THE SMOKING GUN)

Believers don't need teaching about times and seasons - they already know (5:1)

The Day comes as a thief ONLY to those in darkness (5:4)

Believers are children of light and will NOT be surprised (5:4-5)

We are commanded to be alert and sober based on this knowledge (5:6)

We are NOT destined for wrath and should encourage each other with this (5:9)

From 2 Thessalonians

Specific signs precede the Day of the Lord (2:3)

The apostasy (departure) and revelation of the man of lawlessness are markers we can recognize

From Romans and Hebrews:

We are told to be "knowing the time" (Romans 13:11)

Salvation is "nearer than when we first believed" - measurable proximity (Romans 13:11)

We will "see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25)

From Colossians:

The mystery is NOW REVEALED to the saints (1:26-27)

We attain "full assurance of understanding" (2:2)

From Revelation:

The book exists to SHOW us what must soon take place (1:1)

IF we wake up, we WILL know; only the sleeping are surprised (3:3)

Jesus says "I am coming quickly" three times in the final chapter (22:7, 12, 20)

The case is closed. Paul's teaching, combined with Jesus' words, makes the traditional "you can't know" interpretation of Matthew 24:36 completely untenable.

We are not only ALLOWED to know the season - we are COMMANDED to know it, EXPECTED to know it, and BLESSED when we watch for it.

But if the biblical evidence is so overwhelming, how did the Church lose this truth? In Part 3, we'll trace the historical development of this false teaching and understand why it persists despite the clear testimony of Scripture.

To be continued in Part 3: How the Lie Took Root - A Historical Tragedy

THE Grace Awakening

THE Grace Awakening Study Guide

Who is Craig Rogers and KINGDOM Empowered?

Come Meet King Jesus

THE GRACE AWAKENING for Those Left Behind

The American Remnant - Left Behind Plan