There are 2 key words translated ''time'' in the new Testament; Kairos, which means an occasion or event, opportunity or proper (convenient, due) season; and Chronos (from which we got the word, chronology), it refers to a particular period or interval, years, dates. In Acts 1:7, Jesus told His disciples that it wasn''t for them to know the times (chronos) and dates that God has set by His own authority. Acts 3:19 talks about the times (Kairos) of refreshing and in verse 21 says Jesus must remain in heaven until the time (chronos) comes for God to restore everything. For instance, nobody knows the ''chronos'' when Jesus will return, but we can determine the ''kairos'' or season of His 2nd coming based on the events the Bible says will characterize it.

I am interested in ''kairos'' or due/proper season in this study. In Eccle.3:1, the Bible says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven". 1 Pet. 5:6 says we should humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand so that HE may exalt us in due time and in Gal.6 (we are exhorted not to be weary in doing good for we will reap in due season if we don’t faint. So, there is a due season, but how do we know it when we get there? Well, due season is always characterized by fruitfulness and a breaking through. The Bible says there was no fruit on the fig tree because it wasn’t the SEASON for figs! Mark 11:13. It is characterized by exaltation and promotion; God exalts us in due time when we humble ourselves. And unusual favor; "the time to favor her ( Zion), yes, the set time has come" Ps.102:13. And harvest or reaping, Gal. 6:9. It is also characterized by beauty, pleasantness and rightness; Eccles 3:11 says, "he has made everything beautiful in ITS time" and in Ps.16:6, "the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance". It is a season of mega rewards for the yester years of labor, service, humility, faithfulness to God and to others, walking in love, developing your potentials & the fruit of the Spirit, etc.

God showed me 4 things that will determine your due season; it isn’t one of them, it is a combination of the 4! If you can get the combination in alignment, I assure you that your due season is round the corner!

1. Your preparation and readiness. Esther had to prepare herself before she could become the queen. It isn't just up to God; it is also up to you. You must prepare yourself in dying to self, pride, selfish ambition, etc; develop the fruit of the Spirit; serve; humble yourself; do whatever your hands find to do with all your might (some people are waiting for the due season before they start doing anything), help the dreams of others to come to pass, sow good seeds, give, etc.

2. Your Purpose or Assignment. Eccles.3: 1 says there is a time for every purpose, if it isn't yet the time for what God called you to do, then it isn't your due season yet. Don't run ahead of your purpose, don’t die before your time. Mordecai told Esther, "who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Es.4: 14. Do you notice that we didn’t hear anything of Esther since she became the queen until the time of her assignment or purpose? Learn to wait for your assignment. There is a right message God has for you for your generation, wait for it! (2 Sam.18:19-20).

3. Other people who are connected to your purpose/assignment. Jesus told the disciples to go and be His witnesses but they were to wait in Jerusalem for the Gift the Father promised. Acts 1:4. The descendants of Abraham could not come into possession of the Promised Land until a later time because "the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measures" Gen.15:16. Joseph’s timing was tied to the famine. Moses’ timing was tied to the Israelites whose timing was tied to the Amorites. Do you get the picture? David had to wait for the other 10 tribes to come and ask him to be king!

4. Heaven! This is the greatest factor of all! A man can receive NOTHING unless it has been given to him from heaven." John 3:27; and James 1:17, "Every good and every perfect gift is from ABOVE, and from the Father of lights.." Promotion comes from God and not from men! It is God who exalts us when we humble ourselves. We don’t exalt ourselves, because Jesus said we will be abased if we do so; and men can't exalt us because they can bring us down if they do so. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and Elijah said that was a hard thing, because it wasn't in his power to give that, but Elisha could have it if he was focused and properly aligned. The mantle ''fell'' from Elijah as he was being taken up. 2 Kings.2:9-14.

Don’t forget your due season isn’t just when you are ready or when Heaven is ready; it is a combination of these 4 or more factors! God bless you real good!

Rev (Mrs) Funke Ewuosho