As soon as the disciples heard about receiving a baptism of power, they asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel”? (see Acts 1). Jesus answered in no uncertain terms, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in his own authority” (Acts 1:7 NKJV).
Stop and think about what their question implied. “Lord, do you mean that beginning in that room, with just us, you will restore the kingdom of Israel? Will we bring down Herod and Rome? Are we the ones to cleanse the land, set up the kingdom and bring you back?”
We know that Jesus had to deal with some lust for leadership and authority among his disciples, but I sense something in their question here beyond a thirst for place and power. It speaks of a human need to be involved in a great and final destiny. It was a need to be special, to be the right people at the right time!
In their hearts the disciples may have been saying, “Lord, where are we in your prophetic schedule? It would be a great spiritual incentive to know that we are ministering in a day of destiny, that a new dawn is coming, and you are using us to wrap it all up.”
Now all of us, to some degree, have this same need to be people of destiny. However, Jesus’ response was blunt: “It is not for you to know the times.” Jesus is not looking for men or women of destiny. He wants only witnesses unto himself. He is saying, “The issue is not the ‘prophetic hour’ or some great moment in time appointed to you. I need people to share the good news of the gospel to this present generation.”
This deeply convicts me. I also want to know where we are at this very minute on God's prophetic clock. Are we about to enter the great tribulation? Is God gathering the final remnant of believers? “That is not your concern” Jesus says. “It's not for you to know. Be filled with the Spirit, then go.”
We are to live in a state of watchfulness and expectancy. We are to look for his appearing and warn of his judgments, but first and foremost we are to be his witnesses!