The Fullness Of Time

THE FULLNESS OF TIME (Galatians 4:4)The phrase "fullness of time" is unique. The Greek word for fullness is pleroma and refers to something being filled. Paul mentions the "fullness of time" on two occasions; one refers to the timing of Christ's birth and the other the timing of Christ's return."But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." - Galatians 4:4"That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." —Ephesians 1:10In a third reference, when Paul writes about the Gentiles' being grafted into the covenant, he reveals:"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." - Romans 11:25The "fullness of time" is the peak moment in the process of prophecy when a predicted event occurs. Usually, as we move forward in the timeline of history, we see identification markers called "signs," which begin to occur and point to the greater predicted event to follow. Sometimes, the actual fulfillment (timing) of a season of fullness is revealed, and at other times it remains secret.For example, Abraham was told that his future children would be taken captive and dwell in a strange land for 400 years. At the conclusion of that set time, God would bring them out (see Gen. 15:13-14). This prediction was fulfilled literally when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. We read, "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt" (Acts 7:17).

We also read, "And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt" (Ex. 12:41). This is an example of a revealed "fullness of time."When we think about God's word to Abraham and the fact that He waited 400 years to bring forth the promise, we wonder why this set time was selected. The first reason God may have waited so long is that Egypt was a strong nation and Israel also had to be strong in numbers before departing from Egypt, or Pharaoh could have easily crushed their rebel-lion. Notice again that Acts 7:17 says that as the promise drew near, the people "grew and multiplied." The second reason for the passing of so much time was revealed to Abraham: that the "iniquity of the Amorites" must become "full," and God would bring Israel back to judge these pagan tribes and remove them from their Promised Land (see Gen. 15:16). 

The Old Testament prophets searched diligently to discover the time of the Messiah's first appearing and were unable to calculate it out, as it is written, "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you" (1 Pet. 1:10). Paul writes that in the fullness of time, God sent His Son (Gal. 4:4). God waited more than 4,000 years from the creation of Adam to send Christ to earth. Just before His birth, expectations were high that the Messiah's appearance was near (see Luke 2:25-38) and cosmic activity also indicated the birth of a Jewish king (see Matt. 2:2).

The present mystery we face today is: When will Christ return? We are told, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:36). When God was preparing for the departure of His children from Egypt, He sent ten major signs (judgments) to precede their release. Similarly, numerous signs were related to Christ's birth: the star in the east and the angels informing the shepherds along with the visit from the wise men. Unusual signs will also precede Christ's return and they are recorded in the New Testament; when they begin to come to pass, believers are to "look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).