But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ga 4:4.
We are examining 7 “fulness” mentions in their context in this series. This way, we get a full understanding of “fulness/Pleroma” in our minds. When we discuss pleroma/fulness we need to contextualise it so we can understand how this relates with God’s ways. The whole idea of “fullness” or “pleroma” in the Greek denotes a situation arriving at a point where change is necessary. Here with the context of Galatians 4:4, the verse, the pleroma is set with Kronos. This means that “Kronos” being physical time, day, year, month, means that Jesus’ birth was set EXACTLY when He was meant to be born.
It reminds me the beginning scene in “Lord of the Rings” I will reproduce here.
Jesus is never late, He arrived precisely when He needed to. He arrived precisely in time to prepare Israel for very difficult times, and provided a means to open the Salvation door.
In Genesis 15 God comes to Abraham to ratify His covenant, but makes this statement:
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ge 15:16.
The “Pleroma” idea is found in the Old Testament. The condition of the Amorites is key to the timing of the fulfilment of the Covenant of Abraham. It involves both a generational possession of land and eternal possession in the eternal realms. The fullness of wickedness needed to be reached for God to use Israel as Judgment vessels, for their recompense. This idea is what is the foundation to this series. The theology is supported in many places. We begin to see how God works with kingdoms. We also see how God works with humanity as a whole.
What determines this fulness? The fulness is what happens when wickedness begins to affect the very soil we live off and live on. There are reflections in nature that show that humanity’s corruption can bring natural stresses and breakdowns. Today they call it “climate change.” However, Paul cites in Romans, “All of earth groans for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Paul correctly sees the effects of sin on our planet. It causes harmonious processes to break down. Once there is this distress I believe God acts. There is also a “outcry” that also goes up. Exodus 3 says “The outcry of my people Israel has come up before Me.” This too has the same effect. So it is not God alone that decides whether Pleroma has been reached.
The other factor is the two Greek words for “TIME” which is physical time: Kronos, and seasonal time Kairos. Jesus’ first coming is set in KRONOS because of events which would mark the spiritual community. It would affect the Roman Empire, the Church, and the generations. So this coming had to precisely come around 4BC. However the return of Jesus is not set the same, it is set in KAIROS. There is a reason for this, as there had to be conditions to be met for His return. Those conditions are based in two sets of peoples, covenant peoples. That is Israel and the Church. This is why we see the two Olive Trees mentioned in Scriptures.
They appear as the “sons of oil” in Zechariah 4, and the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11. They speak of the oil, fulness and fire. Yet these olive trees speak of covenant and their effect on Kairos, and pleroma. The seasons must interact with fulness for God to bring in change. Sometimes the Kairos does not correspond with physical time. However when there is a fulness it does. I believe we are at this moment at such a time. The fulness of iniquity in the nations has arrived at the level of Sodom and Gomorrah. I believe if the Church will engage with these principles, we will see an awakening of faith in the nations. Righteousness will be a banner.
So when we are speaking of “the fulness of times” we are talking about Kairos or Kronos. These interact with the fullness of iniquity. They then become a catalyst of change.
The situation now is that a certain demographic or many are trying and vying for dominion. There will be a certain limit. Then God suddenly comes in favour of His own people. He inspires intercession in His People.
The story of the Hebrides Revival is a case in question. 5 months of heartfelt prayer was had. This was in response to the perception if the Church did not pray wickedness would abound. A particular night, in a cold stone barn in Barvas, the Glory appeared. In a cottage of a blind and deaf women, prayed until Glory appeared. The island was saturated with God’s revival. May God do this again. The times can be a Kairos of visitation because conditions are met. Sin abounds, the ground groans, and God’s people cry out. May He come and visit us again!
So you need to think of 3 things when we pray. Consider the level of evil (1), the outcry (2), and the groaning in nature (3). These help us know God will visit His people. This is the fulness of times. Come Lord, come quickly.
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