It is extremely important, some would say vital, that we understand what an appointed time is and how to use it.
In a nutshell, its a time/day when we are expected to behave in a particular way, showing our loving Father that we want to remain in covenant with Him. We want to be considered His child when we meet Him face to face, as we certainly do not want to hear this on our resurrection:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7 21 – 23
Did you get it? ‘practice lawlessness’ You are considered lawless when you choose not to keep His commandments, and choose not to meet with Him when you are asked to.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1John 3:4
As such, He will turn you away from any possible inheritance and the chance of everlasting life with Him, because you have not got to know Him on His terms. This is serious stuff.
To be considered one of His we need to behave in a way that He expects. One way is to keep His commandments regarding His calendar, or His appointed times
So what is an appointed time? I hope the following helps to clarify this.
An appointed time in Hebrew is Moed.
Moed means:
appointed place, appointed time,
meeting appointed time,
appointed time (general)
sacred season, set feast,
appointed season
Moed comes from the root verb Yaad.
Yaad means:
to fix, appoint,
assemble, meet,
set, betroth
Reading this, we get to understand that Gods appointed times are:
- set and fixed in place (never changing)
- holy times (days set apart from other days)
- a time of promise/betrothment
- expected to be kept by those who love Him and wish to remain in covenant with Him
From these two definitions, we can now we can see how important it is to walk with Him on His calendar. Not only are we learning to follow Him more correctly but we will find blessings and joy in His appointed times. And, if we practice and follow them now, we have a promise that we will be able to keep them with Him for ever in His Kingdom to come.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1John 3-6