The Fullness of the Time

L. Andrew Haokip

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law. Gal. 4:4

The birth of Christ is celebrated across the globe. According to biblical history God didn’t communicate to anyone from Malachi to Matthew. During this period, God prepared the nations for the coming of Christ. This preparation is known as ‘The Fullness of Time’. Let us see how God prepared the nations for the coming of Christ.

Greek Nation: Alexander the Great had conquered the whole world and imposed on the whole world to follow the Greek culture. Alexander had also influenced the world in the use of Greek language. Greek became the common language for the Graeco-Roman world. Greek later became the language for the gospel communication and the language of the New Testament.

Roman Nation: The Romans developed great transportation system. They built world class roads from all major cities to Rome. They also developed good sea routes. The old proverb which says ‘All roads lead to Rome’ was in fact true because all concrete roads led to Rome. God used the Roman transport system to carry the gospel to the world. The apostles used these roads to travel from city to city with the gospel. The Romans also gave importance for peace. In those days the Roman emperor announced world-wide peace. In Rome there was a temple called Janus, the opening and closing of this temple indicated the political condition of the world. When it was open, the people knew there was war, if it was closed it indicated peace. This temple was closed from 25 BC because the emperor proclaimed peace to the entire world, but in the hearts of the people there was no real peace. During this period, the real ‘Prince of Peace’ was born in Bethlehem of Judea (Is. 9:6; Mic.5:2).

Jews: The Jews were scattered throughout the world, and they built synagogues to worship God. These synagogues were the means for the apostles to preach the gospel to the Jewish people (Acts 13:5, 19:9). The Jews influenced upon the world the concept of one true God. People from different religions and cultures got to know each other, and there was a question in everyone’s mind about the concept of God. Finally people were confused as to who was the real God. Every religion believed theirs was the real God. Finally, they came to the conclusion that there is only one true God whom they knew in different names. Therefore, the people united together and began to believe the one true God called the ‘unknown God.’ Paul explains to them in Acts 17:23. Jesus came into the world and told them about that one True God.

Jesus the Messiah came in the fullness of time into this world. Jesus established the church and brought salvation to all nations. Today, His kingdom is going forward and no one can stop it. This Christmas season let us proclaim to the world that the one born during the Roman Empire in Bethlehem is indeed the Saviour of the world. Amen!