In the Fullness of Time

MEMORIES

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I presented this post in January of 2017, but would like to re-blog it here for Christmas 2020.  And so…..

IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME

I know that Christmas 2016 is over [Christmas 2020 is approaching]  .  However, I wanted to share something a pastor friend sent to us as a Christmas card.  It touched both Fred and me greatly, and I hope it will touch your heart, as well.  (As way of acknowledgement, I’ve searched and not found this particular paraphrasing of these verses anywhere.  It could have been his own version of it)  It’s the best way to begin a New Year:

Galatians 4:4-5

4 – But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a

woman, made under the law,

5 – To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

As we begin the month of December, our thoughts are about Christmas.  There is a phrase in Galatians 4:4.  This phrase is a powerful statement about the coming of God’s Son to earth.  The phrase in the fullness of the time (Galatians 4:4) refers to that time when the world was providentially ready for the birth of the Savior.

It was the RIGHT TIME for JESUS to come.  Historians tell us that in the Roman world the old religions were dying, the old philosophies were empty and powerless to change men’s lives.  Strange new mystery religions were invading the empire.  Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were everywhere.  God was preparing the world for the arrival of His Son.

Roads connected city with city, and all cities ultimately with Rome.  Roman laws protected the rights of citizens, and Roman guards protected the peace – THE ROMAN PAX.

The Roman Empire, A.D. 117 – Credit Google Search

Thanks to both the Greek and Roman conquests, Latin and Greek were known across the empire.  He sent His Son to THE RIGHT PEOPLE.  It was no accident that God chose Abraham to be the father of His people!  God promised Abraham a nation to come from his seed (Genesis 12:1-3)

Jesus was born in THE RIGHT LAND.  It was no accident that Abraham left Ur (modern day Iraq) and journeyed to Canaan (present day Israel).  God’s people got off-track and stuck in Egypt, and so God sent a deliverer, Moses!  Then He had to get them out of Babylon and back to THE RIGHT LAND.

THE RIGHT LANGUAGE was available, and it was no accident that a man named Alexander (the Great) came 300 years before Christ, and spread the Hellenistic culture with most people knowing the Greek language and THE RIGHT CULTURE adopted by the Romans. 

Alexander the Great – Credit Google Search

Finally, it was under THE RIGHT LAW.  The new gospel would need to spread rapidly!  By the end of the first century, the Christian gospel had spread throughout the Roman Empire, reaching all the way to Great Britain!  God used the Roman Empire, as He did the Greeks, the Jews, and anyone else to make this TIME in history RIGHT!

JESUS came at the RIGHT TIME, to the RIGHT PEOPLE, in the RIGHT LAND, with the RIGHT LANGUAGE, and during the RIGHT CULTURE, and under the RIGHT LAW!

It was no accident when Jesus arrived in history, but rather God’s perfect timing in preparing our world for His coming.

It was truly in the fullness of time that God sent forth His Son.

With these words in mind, have a blessed Christmas season (and in this case – a wonderful and blessed New Year!).

[ in 2020 I would like to add a bit from Dr. David Jeremiah.  He is pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, California. (www.DavidJeremiah.org)   He has a TV program called Turning Point.  I’ve not listened to his radio program, but I suspect it’s called Turning Point, as well.  He preaches God’s word, and we are blest every time we watch his TV program.  His organization publishes a monthly magazine and devotional guide called Turning Points.  I found the following in his daily e-mail, and it touched my heart.  I hope it touches yours, as well:

Because Christ came to earth for a specific time, we can be with Him in heaven for ages unlimited. What an incredible thought! Treasure every moment as you prepare for your eternal home with Him one day.

Judy – 2020

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.