Is This The Fullness Of Time? Series

I will have to admit, the popularity of Groundhog day eludes me. It’s all for laughs and entertainment, and maybe hope that the famous rodent’s shadow might bear some hope that winter will soon be over. People always seem to be looking for a sign.

There were signs to point us to the moment of Christ’s First Coming.

There are also signs to point us to the moment of his Second Coming.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4, ESV)

Christ’s First Advent took place when the times had reached their fullness.

Like a piece of fruit being picked at the exact moment of ripeness. Christ’s Second Advent will also occur at the fullness of time.

What is meant by the term, “The Fullness of Time?”

Usages.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4, ESV)

Eph 1:10 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:7–10)

Comparison

First Coming was at the Fullness of Time. “And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:1–3, ESV)

Second Coming will also be at the Fullness of Time.

Matt 24:3. “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”” (Matthew 24:3, ESV)

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,” (Luke 21:25, ESV)

Heb 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25, ESV)

The return of Christ will complete the “Times of the Gentiles” “They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24, NIV84)

SIGNS for the First Coming

The end of 69 Sevens. “Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.” (Daniel 9:25–26, ESV)

All who understood Daniel’s prophecy knew that the Roman Empire was the Fourth Kingdom of Daniel 2 and 7.

Israel had now returned to the land after the Babylonian captivity.

Christ’s Birth in Bethlehem provided another sign, because the Scripture foretold that Bethlehem was the place where the Messiah would be born. “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2, ESV)

The Star in the East provided another sign. The Wise Men were possibly influenced by Daniel’s legacy in the land of Babylon, for they knew that the Scriptures prophecied that the Messiah’s birth would be accompanied by celestial signs. Matthew 2:2 “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17, ESV)

The fact that Jesus was a descendent of David provided another sign. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:10, ESV)