God has gifted humanity with time as a fundamental measure of progress, establishing a distinct frame of reference for accomplishing tasks within a finite period, as exemplified by His own work in creation. The proper use of this precious gift can lead to perfection, mirroring God's work, or to destruction if squandered in vain pursuits. Just as Mr. Armstrong was directed early in his calling to be mindful of time in preparing for Christ's return, we too are called to avoid wasting time on distractions and to focus on the specific responsibilities God has assigned us as we prepare for Jesus Christ's return. We are urged to walk circumspectly, redeeming the time because the days are evil, and to understand the will of the Lord. God has placed us in an extraordinary position with significant responsibilities, and we must not force our own ideas into the limited time we have been given, which was intended by Our Father for a different purpose. The work God has called us to must be the primary focus of our time, ensuring we do not waste it on pursuits contrary to His plan, but instead invest every moment in the tasks He has set before us to achieve unity and perfection in His family.

The Feast of Pentecost emphasizes the importance of counting fifty days, a command from God designed to teach vital spiritual lessons within the framework of the feast, symbolizing God's cultivation and harvest of spiritual firstfruits. This counting, highlighted by the name Pentecost, meaning "count fifty," shifts focus under the New Covenant to a personal relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit, urging us to consider each day as we progress toward spiritual maturity. Pentecost uniquely deals with time, based on counting days and weeks, and by extension, years and eras, forcing us to contemplate our limited time compared to God's infinite power over it. We face a time test with a clock winding down, reminding us of our finite existence and the urgency to use our time wisely, as we do not know how much time remains before Christ returns or our life ends. The fifty-day count to Pentecost represents a natural period of conversion, roughly fifty years of adulthood, during which God works to bring us to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. This individual period of judgment is limited, and we must overcome sin, grow in righteousness, produce spiritual fruit, and prepare for God's Kingdom within this fleeting timeframe. Moses, in Psalm 90:12, pleads for God to teach us to number our days to gain a heart of wisdom, recognizing the brevity of life and the rapid approach of death, where no work can be done. This numbering implies prioritizing time with God's guidance to avoid wasting it on unprofitable pursuits and to focus on spiritual growth. David, in Psalm 39:4, similarly requests to know the measure of his days to understand his frailty, acknowledging his insignificance before God and the need to submit to Him for proper use of time. Paul, in Romans 13:11-14, urges us to awake from spiritual sleep, recognizing that salvation is nearer than when we first believed, and to cast off works of darkness while putting on the armor of light, which is Christ Himself. He warns against procrastinating in overcoming sin or growing in virtue, as we do not know our allotted time, emphasizing the danger of assuming we have time to spare. In Ephesians 5:8-17, Paul advises redeeming the time because the days are evil, walking circumspectly by surveying all consequences before acting, ensuring we are not blindsided by distractions or temptations. Redeeming the time, from the Greek word exagorazo, means to buy back or make the most of every opportunity, turning wasted time into profitable, godly uses, as missed opportunities may not return. Understanding God's will, beyond mere knowledge, involves applying it practically in daily living to build wisdom, especially as the world grows more degenerate, making immediate action crucial. Finally, in Philippians 3:12-15, Paul, despite his uncertain future in prison, resolves to press on toward the goal of God's Kingdom with zeal and purpose, refusing to coast on past achievements. He encourages the spiritually mature to adopt this mindset, driving forward with rigor to finish strong, regardless of how much time remains, ensuring that every moment is used to pursue eternal life in God's Kingdom.

Time is a relentless force in our lives, carrying us swiftly from birth to death, often leaving us feeling as though we never have enough of it to accomplish all we desire. As mortals, we are constrained by a mere 70 or 80 years, as Moses notes in Psalm 90, and much of this time is spent on rest, daily necessities, and unproductive activities. This leaves only a fraction of our lives for meaningful work or pursuits, intensifying the struggle to use our time wisely. Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven, suggesting that God has provided sufficient time to fulfill His purpose for each of us. The challenge lies not in the total amount of time, but in how we prioritize and organize it. We often fail by allowing distractions or poor planning to let time slip away, necessitating a deliberate approach to align our actions with God's timing. Ecclesiastes 3:11 beautifully states that God has made everything perfect in its time and placed a sense of eternity in our hearts, though we cannot fully grasp His works from beginning to end. This verse underscores that by synchronizing ourselves with God's timing, we establish a firm foundation for our lives, preparing for eternity. Living within God's time ensures our lives progress in harmony with Him, guiding us toward His Kingdom. Pentecost, as one of God's appointed times, serves as a yearly reminder to redeem our time, as the days are short and evil, according to Ephesians 5:16. Moses in Psalm 90:12 urges us to number our days to gain a heart of wisdom, a principle echoed in the counting to Pentecost, which emphasizes time as a central theme. This holy day, uniquely requiring a count of fifty days, highlights the importance of being aware of time in our spiritual journey, representing the span of a converted life dedicated to growth and preparation for eternity. God's creation of time, evident from Genesis 1, where He divided light from darkness to establish day and night, and set the sun, moon, and stars for signs and seasons (mo'adim), integrates His appointed times into our lives. These celestial markers not only help us measure time but also synchronize us with God by indicating when to observe His holy convocations. Meeting with God at these set times infuses them with His presence, offering knowledge, understanding, and blessings, and revealing His plan to those who align with Him. The Sabbath provides a weekly opportunity to practice synchronization with God, acting as a test of our desire to be in harmony with Him. Failing to keep the Sabbath properly places us out of step with God, causing us to miss out on instruction, correction, and blessings that enhance our growth. Similarly, in interpersonal matters like marriage, timing is crucial; sexual relations are honorable within the bounds of marriage but become sin if practiced at the wrong time, risking judgment if we fall out of sync with God's commands. In prophetic contexts, as seen in Daniel 12, understanding God's timing of end-time events requires living in temporal harmony with Him. Only those who are wise, skilled in living God's way, will receive understanding at the proper time. Peter in I Peter 4:17-19 emphasizes that the time for judgment begins with God's house, urging us to commit our souls to Him in doing good, knowing that walking with God, though challenging, secures our path to salvation and the Kingdom if we remain in sync with His time.