The Desire of Ages Audiobook Chapter 3: The Fullness of the Time

Summary

The script 'The Desire of Ages Chapter 3: The Fullness of the Time' explores the anticipation and arrival of Christ as the world's Redeemer. It discusses the historical context, the spiritual longing of humanity, and the divine plan for redemption. The narrative highlights the oppressive darkness of sin and the hope brought by Christ's mission to restore the divine image in humanity, offering a clear understanding of God's government and the principles of salvation.

Takeaways

• 🕰 The arrival of the Savior was prophesied in Eden and eagerly anticipated by Adam and Eve, but the fulfillment was delayed, with many waiting in vain for its arrival.
• 📜 The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of the Savior's coming, but it was not universally understood, and the passage of time without His arrival led to despair among many.
• 🌌 God's timing for the coming of Christ was precise, as symbolized by the stars on their appointed path, and His birth in Bethlehem coincided with the 'fullness of time'.
• 🌐 Providence had orchestrated the world's conditions, including political unity and the spread of a common language, to prepare for the spread of the Messiah's message.
• 📚 The decline of pagan systems and the longing for a fulfilling religion among people created a ripe environment for the introduction of the Messiah's teachings.
• 😔 The Jewish people, having strayed from God, experienced a dimming of faith and a loss of hope, leading to a widespread sense of uncertainty and despair about the afterlife.
• 🌟 There were Gentile teachers who, inspired by the Spirit, foretold the coming of a divine instructor, kindling hope among many and spreading knowledge of the Messiah's impending arrival.
• 📖 The Scriptures had been translated into Greek, facilitating their dissemination throughout the Roman Empire and sharing the Jewish expectation of the Messiah among the Gentiles.
• 🔮 Some Gentiles had a better understanding of the Messiah's prophecies than the Jewish teachers, and there was a hope among them for a deliverer from sin.
• 🙏 The Jewish people, despite their shortcomings, still held onto the hope of the Messiah's coming, as expressed in the words of the prophets and the promises made to their ancestors.
• 🌈 The Messiah's mission was to clearly define the principles of God's government and the plan of redemption, to fully explain the lessons of the Old Testament, and to restore the knowledge of God among humanity.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'the fullness of the time' in the context of the script?

The phrase 'the fullness of the time' signifies a divinely appointed moment when conditions were ripe for the coming of Christ, as foretold in prophecies and prepared by historical and spiritual developments leading up to His birth.

Why did Adam and Eve initially hope that their first-born son could be the Deliverer?

Adam and Eve hoped that their first-born son could be the Deliverer because they were filled with the promise of a Savior after their fall in Eden, and they eagerly anticipated the fulfillment of this promise.

How did the prophecy of Daniel contribute to the anticipation of Christ's coming?

The prophecy of Daniel revealed the specific time of Christ's advent, adding a temporal dimension to the anticipation and preparing the people for His arrival, although not all interpreted the message correctly.

What was the state of the world's spiritual condition before Christ's coming, according to the script?

The world was in a state of spiritual darkness and confusion before Christ's coming, with people weary of empty religious rituals and longing for a genuine faith that could offer hope and knowledge of a life beyond the grave.

In what way did the Jewish nation's departure from God affect their understanding and expectation of the Messiah?

The Jewish nation's departure from God led to a dimming of faith and a near-extinguishing of hope, causing them to misunderstand the nature of Christ's mission and to focus on a political and military deliverer rather than a spiritual one.

What role did the Gentiles play in the expectation of the Messiah's coming?

The Gentiles, despite being considered 'heathen' by the Jews, had some individuals who had a better understanding of the Scriptural prophecies concerning the Messiah and hoped for His coming as a deliverer from sin.

How did the translation of Scriptures into Greek facilitate the spread of the Messiah's message?

The translation of Scriptures into Greek, a widely spoken language throughout the Roman Empire, allowed the message of the Messiah to be accessible to a broader audience, including the Gentiles, and facilitated its spread when the Jews dispersed.

What was the impact of the Jewish nation's exclusivity and hoarding of truth on their religious practices and the world?

The Jewish nation's exclusivity and hoarding of truth led to the corruption of their religious practices, turning their faith into an offense and making them agents of Satan in the world's destruction by spreading a counterfeit of the gospel.

How did the concept of self-salvation, as promoted by Satan, affect the people and their relationship with God?

The concept of self-salvation, implanted by Satan, removed the barrier against sin and led to a deeper corruption and degradation of both the heathen and the Jewish people, further distancing them from God and His grace.

What was the purpose of Christ's coming, as described in the script?

Christ's coming was to restore the image of God in humanity, expel the demons that controlled human will, lift humanity from degradation, reshape the marred character, and impart a new element of life and power to those who were lost and corrupted by sin.

How did the unfallen worlds view the situation on Earth and the coming of Christ?

The unfallen worlds watched with intense interest as God chose to send His Son to save the world instead of destroying it. They observed the demonstration of God's love and the provision of a way for humanity's recovery amidst Satan's attempts to claim victory.