The Time Has Come!
December 2008 – Grace & Truth Magazine
The Time Has Come!
“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under Law, to redeem those under Law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 NIV
What an exciting thought! “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son.” For centuries, which grew darker and darker, the faithful people of God waited for their promised Messiah, who, according to Isaiah, would reign as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah goes on to say that “of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign ... with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isa. 9:6-7). But when would He come?
It is not difficult for us today to identify with the longing expressed in the prophecies of the Old Testament that speak of a Redeemer who would come to deliver His people from the troubles that surrounded them. We live in similar times. While there are some bright spots of hope today, they are quickly overshadowed by the selfishness, misery, strife and despair all around us.
But there is one big difference between then and now – the time has fully come! And all who believe that “God sent His Son ... that we might receive the full rights of sons” can join with the Christmas carol writer Phillips Brooks and sing that “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
The millennial time is yet to come when our Lord will reign physically on this earth in the manner described by Isaiah. But the time is here and now for each of us to receive that peace of God, which transcends all understanding and which will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ (Phil. 4:7). We can enjoy Him now if we accept Him as the One sent to redeem us from our sins.
To learn more about Jesus, who Isaiah also called “Immanuel – which means ‘God with us’” (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23) – please read this month’s Features. They will add blessing to your holiday season.
By Larry Ondrejack