In Galatians 4:4, we read, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Thus, according to the Word of God, the coming of Christ into the world and His lowly birth of the virgin were pre-arranged even to the setting of the very hour. This indicates that in God’s great program of redemption, there is neither confusion or chance, but perfect order and plan.
God is never ahead of His program, and surely never behind. As the first coming of our Lord was according to God’s prearranged plan, even so His second coming to earth will be according to His own set time. The church’s social schemes are not going to hasten the coming of His glorious kingdom. The world’s rejection of His program is not going to delay His return, “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).
Christ’s first coming into the world brought light to the lost, life to the perishing, comfort to those that mourned, and joy to those who waited in hope; but alas, only sorrow and darkness to the many who rejected Him! We read that “He came unto His own, and his own received Him not” (John 1: 11). The tragic record of the overthrow of Jerusalem, with the destruction of the beautiful temple, and the scattering of Israel in unbelief among the nations, was but the aftermath of the nation’s sad rejection of Jesus, their Messiah.
There are many signs today that indicate the near approach of His second advent to earth. That advent will mean joy and glory to those that look for that ” … blessed hope … ” (Titus 2:13), but sadness and wailing to those who have rejected His claims and refused His grace.
Today we look in vain for anything hopeful among the many schemes of the nations for world peace. Our soon-returning Lord alone can establish peace. Furthermore, abiding peace and lasting joy can only come to every individual sinner by acknowledging Him as Saviour and crowning Him as Lord of all. Do you know and live for Christ?