The Fullness of Time

“When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son…to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden…From the days of Enoch, the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message.

Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Ezekiel 12:22.

So in heaven’s council, the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem…

The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken and was recognized everywhere as the language of literature…

For hundreds of years, the Scriptures had been translated into Greek, then widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire. The Jews were scattered everywhere, and their expectation of the Messiah’s coming was, to some extent, shared by the Gentiles.

At this time, the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageants and fables. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart.

Among those whom the Jews styled heathen were men who had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Messiah than the teachers in Israel.

God had spoken to the world through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. The Messenger of the covenant must speak.

While few understood the nature of Christ’s mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel and who should come as a deliverer to the nations.

The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer.

Desire of Ages, pages 31-34 in part.