In Galatians 4:4, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son” . . . When God’s time table struck the appointed hour, God sent His Son into the world. Paul called that appointed hour the “fullness of time.” What did Paul mean by that? “The Fullness of Time”?
Well, there were a number of things happening in the then known world at that particular time upon which “The Fullness of Time” hinged. Let’s examine some of them . . .
I. According to the Historical Order, it was the Fullness of Time:
- History records this was a time of ‘Great Expectancy’. One evidence is that of the Wise Men:At this very time in history they were studying the stars, looking for a sign. And God gave them one— Matthew 2:1b-2 “Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’”
- Roman Peace: Throughout the then known world there was a sense of unity to the various lands. Because of that the empire was relatively peaceful, travel was possible, allowing the early Christians to spread the gospel. Such freedom to travel would have been impossible in other eras.
- A common language: koine’ Greek was the dominant language spoken throughout the empire, making it possible to communicate the gospel to many different people groups through one common language.
- Roman roads: Cobblestone roads had been built throughout the Roman Empire on which the Roman armies were transported. Such roads made it possible to carry the gospel; the same roads Paul used to carry and spread the Gospel and plant churches in the Mediterranean and Asian World.
II. According to the Divine Order, it was the Fullness of Time:
- Even before the foundation of the world, God had been planning for this very day— I Peter 1:18-20 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . But with the precious blood of Christ . . . Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”
- Promise of God’s Word after the Fall of Man— Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”
- Promise of the Old Testament Prophets— Isaiah 9:2;6-7 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them . . . For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.” See also Isaiah 7:14.
III. According to the World Order it was the Fullness of Time:
- It was a time of spiritual bankruptcy: Old religions and philosophies were powerless to change lives or give hope. New and strange religions were invading the world. Men and women were searching, looking, trying to find hope, truth and meaning. In the world order, it was not to be found.
- It was a time of moral bankruptcy: Roman and Greek Temples housed sexual, indecent and immoral practices. Moral decay was rampant throughout the land.
- Time of political oppression. Roman rule was dominant. It was a time when Caesar Worship was making an entry into the Roman way of life.
- It was a time of hopelessness. The Prophet Isaiah spoke of a dark world; the world in which folks lived at the time of Christ’s birth. But at the Fullness of Time, a bright light; a star came to shine over a little stable in Bethlehem.
The Fullness of Time was according to God’s perfect timing. When the clock struck the appointed hour, God sent forth His Son into the World.
And oh, by-the-way, there is another Fullness of Time scheduled on God’s calendar; the Second coming of our Lord— Matthew 24:36; 44 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone . . . For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”