December 5, 2021

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

From the very first day that Eve was deceived and was followed by Adam in sin, the LORD spoke of salvation from sin. A Deliverer from the curse of sin was promised! This promise is also the first prophecy. The couple’s belief in this prophecy was accompanied by the hope of its speedy fulfillment. But they lived and died in hope, as the promise seemed to tarry. . .

The promise of a Redeemer was repeated and taught throughout the history of God’s people. The patriarchs and prophets kept hope alive, yet still He did not appear. Faith and hope waxed and waned, but were never extinguished. Their flames were fanned when the prophecy given to Daniel during the seventy years of captivity in Babylon revealed the very time of the advent of the Savior. Daniel’s favored position in the Babylonian kingdom gave opportunity to spread hope by teaching and sharing the Word of God amid the pagan culture, the impact still being evident over 600 years later in the ensuing visit from the impressive entourage of Gentile wise men to see baby Jesus.

Jesus came as promised, and right on time, when the fullness of the time had come. God is never early, nor is He ever late. The purposes of God have been compared to the movement of the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path: there is no such thing as haste or delay. Our perception of time must yield in faith to the reality of the Lord’s timing in all things.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

At the time of Jesus’ birth, many details were in place for the spreading of the heavenly message:

“Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the [scattered] Jews gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah’s coming.” THE DESIRE OF AGES by E.G.White (p.32)

Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. Luke 2:10