Preached in Cookstown FPC, Lord's Day 29th November 2015 by Rev Ivan Foster at the morning service. Simeon lived at the very end of the Old Testament age and likely saw at least the first rays of the dawn of the gospel era. The very threshold of a new era had been reached when the gospel would be taken beyond the borders of Israel and preached to all the world. Simeon most likely died shortly after the Saviour's birth but as his words in the Temple indicate he knew that the gospel age had dawned. "Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel," Luke 2:28-32. Simeon's name means "hearkening". An ideal name for a man such as he. He was a man who having listened to the prophets, was "waiting for the consolation of Israel," Luke 2:25. What we read in the Word of God will affect our lives and walk. Simeon read and understood that the Saviour was soon to come, Dan 9:25). He was like Daniel. "In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem," Daniel 9:2. Dear Christians that is how we too may know the "times and the seasons", 1 Thess 5:1-6. What Simeon read in God's Word made him wait "for the consolation of Israel," Luke 2:25.