The Lord has appointed times for all things, including sending His son Jesus to the earth for our salvation.
- The Prophet Isaiah prophesied the signs that would precede Jesus’ birth, approximately 700 years beforehand.
- There was a period of about 400 years from the last words spoken in the Old Testament and Jesus’ birth in which God was silent.
- During this period, men looked to themselves and their traditions, not to God’s prophetic word.
- This was the time that God ordained for Jesus to come into the world.
- God orchestrated many world events to prepare the way for Jesus and fulfill His prophecy:
- The rise of many empires, ending with Rome.
- The exile of the Jews into Assyria and Babylon.
- The return of Jews to their land.
- Rome took control of the promised land.
- The Roman Caesar ordered everyone to return to their hometown to be counted in a census.
- The Lord chose a woman (Mary) to bring forth His son who would be married to a man (Joseph) who was from the city of Bethlehem.
Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23, Michah 5:2
