Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross --- Having trouble understanding the book of Job? Mike Brooks explains it in *In Search of Perfection: Studies from Job.* 168 pages. Only $9.99 plus S&H Call Barbara now: (662) 283-5037 or (901) 517-7274 ---- GUEST COLUMN God's Secret Things by Steve Preston "The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29, KJV). From the very beginning our Father has told us that we will never know everything there is to know. There is information God has reserved only for himself and no one else; Christ's second coming, for example. Jesus' disciples asked him directly, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3). Our Savior's answer was as direct as their question. "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36). Why God chose not to reveal that information is also a secret. We obviously do not need to know, otherwise our Father would have told us. Most of us probably have questions that only God can answer. Possibly, God will give those who are with him in heaven that chance to ask certain things. For now, however, let us be content with the knowledge that everything we need to know, "seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus was asked if it was time to restore the kingdom to Israel. The disciples still apparently did not understand that the kingdom of Christ, the church, was not a physical entity but a spiritual one. Even so, Jesus answered them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority" (Acts 1:7). Jesus' response applies just as well to us today; there are some things we are not meant to know. I am thankful, then, that our Heavenly Father loves us so much as to always give us what we need. __________ Steve writes BibleTalk, short messages sent twice weekly by email, to build up Christians' faith and inform non-Christians about God's will. Find out more at http://freegroups.net/groups/bibletalk/ ---- Join the conversation. Read this article online and share your thoughts with us. Click here: http://www.forthright.net/guest_writers/gods_secret_things.htm ---- You can help us get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.htm