“Wow, smell that fresh air!” at least, I think that’s what I’d say after spending two hundred and fiftyeight days on the ark, closed in with all those animals and the associated smells that went along with them. After God had told Noah and his family to enter the ark, it was seven days before it started raining. Then, it rained for forty days and nights non-stop. That, put together with the “fountains of the great deep” (see Genesis 7:11), the entire earth was flooded. All life not on the ark was destroyed.
When the rain stopped, the water remained on the earth for another one hundred and fifty days. Finally the water began to recede. After forty more days, Noah sent out the raven which never returned. It simply flew around waiting for a place to land appeared (maybe it rested somewhere out of reach on the ark). He sent out the dove which returned. Seven days later, for second time he sent out the dove it returned with an olive leaf in its beak. Then seven more days elapsed and this third time, it never came back. After seven more days they opened the door to the ark and walked out on dry land. After all that time, it had to be great to step foot on dry land.
After all the animals exited the ark, Noah offered a sacrifice to God. It got His attention. He made a promise to Noah and consequently to all of mankind. That’s when He hung his bow (the rainbow) in the clouds as a sign that He would never again destroy the world with a flood. That’s where most of us stop. He also added this: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22). So the next time you hear someone say that you can’t tell one season from another anymore, or they give the false scripture quote that the Bible says that in the last days you won’t be able to tell one season from another, give them Genesis 8:22.
But it goes much deeper than that. You see, the promise God gave regarding day and night, cold and heat, seedtime and harvest (which is the springtime and fall), and winter and summer, remains until the coming of the fifth season. Fifth season? Just what in the whole wide livin’ world is that? Paul wrote about it in 1 Thessalonians 5. Verse 1 says, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.” It goes on to tell us that he is referring to “The Day of the Lord,” – The day that our Lord, Jesus Christ, returns just like He promised.
Jesus had said that He would return like a thief in the night – describing how that He would return when the world least expected Him. He said in Matthew 24:43, “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” Makes sense. If the thief made an appointment to rob us, or publicly promised that he would break into our house at 2:57 am on Tuesday night, we would be ready, gun in hand, to defend our property. Paul also wrote about this, saying, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). Pretty clear, isn’t it? Jesus also said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13). Those scriptures are clear that no one knows when Jesus is coming back.
But then Paul wrote this: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4). Jesus allured to this in Matthew 15:3 when he accused the Pharisees of not being able to discern the signs of the times.
Jesus’ disciples began to brag on the temple. Jesus told them that the day would come when one stone of that magnificent temple would not remain one on the other. Of course, their likely question was, “when will these things be?” (see Luke 21:7). Jesus then began to tell them things that would take place in the latter days.
My point is that the fifth season is the one that points to the return of Christ. People have been saying for many years now that the Lord is returning soon. I have heard this since I was a little boy. I am now 71. But you know what? The way time flies, it hasn’t really been all that long. Those things He described are taking place before our very eyes. Sometimes, watching the news is nearly like reading the prophecies of His second coming. That is the fifth season – the one we recognize as signs of our Lord’s return.
We have days marked on our calendars when the seasons officially begin. But sometimes snow is flying when they say Autumn is finally here. It might be ninety degrees outside and the calendar says that spring has arrived. But we know it is Autumn when the leaves turn their artistic colors and begin to fall from the trees. Likewise, we know it is spring when the thaw comes, the new leaves come out and flowers blossom. What I’m saying is that man’s official designation might not always match nature.
So it is with God’s fifth season. It doesn’t come because we say so. It comes because of the signs God has chosen to let us see. So, see them. Look for them. The fifth season is upon us. Don’t miss it. Look for those signs. But know this, that just because we can recognize the signs of the fifth season doesn’t mean that we can pinpoint the day and hour He will be back. So watch the signs. Be aware of what is going on around us. If you look you will see.
— Jerry D. Ousley is the author of “Soul Challenge”, “Soul Journey”, “Ordeal”, “The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional” and his first novel “The Shoe Tree.” Newer books include “Finality” and “Dividing God’s Church.” Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these.