1. GOSPELS AND ACTS PREPARATION OF WORLD FOR CHRIST’S COMING FOR CHRIST’S COMING

2. INTRODUCTION Preparation of the World for Christ’s Coming “Fullness of Time” Gal 4:4 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son…” Gal 4:4 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son…” Eph 1:9-10 “He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment…” Eph 1:9-10 “He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment…” Titus 1:3 “And at His appointed season He brought His Word to light through the preaching entrusted to me…” Titus 1:3 “And at His appointed season He brought His Word to light through the preaching entrusted to me…” Christ born at proper time Christ born at proper time

3. A. Jewish elements – Religious A. Jewish elements – Religious 1. Divine selection of Israel 1. Divine selection of Israel Exodus 19:5-6—special relationship Exodus 19:5-6—special relationship 2. Divine revelation in Scripture 2. Divine revelation in Scripture a. Monotheism a. Monotheism b. Law b. Law c. Messianic prophecies c. Messianic prophecies

4. To David — 2 Samuel 7:12-16 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, who I removed before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, and your throne will be established forever. To David — 2 Samuel 7:12-16 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, who I removed before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, and your throne will be established forever. Perpetual kingdom — Father-Son relationship Perpetual kingdom — Father-Son relationship

5. To Judah by Jeremiah — Jeremiah 29:10-11 This is what the Lord says: 10 “When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” To Judah by Jeremiah — Jeremiah 29:10-11 This is what the Lord says: 10 “When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Positive purpose after Babylonian captivity Positive purpose after Babylonian captivity

6. To Israel by Isaiah. Isaiah 10:24-25, 11:1-2 24 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says, “Oh my people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians, who beat you with a rod and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did. 25 Very soon my anger against you will end and my wrath will be directed to their destruction.” … 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. 2 The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him… To Israel by Isaiah. Isaiah 10:24-25, 11:1-2 24 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says, “Oh my people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians, who beat you with a rod and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did. 25 Very soon my anger against you will end and my wrath will be directed to their destruction.” … 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. 2 The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him… Ultimate revival of Davidic Kingdom Ultimate revival of Davidic Kingdom

7. Of virgin birth and birthplace. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 and Micah 5:2 Of virgin birth and birthplace. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 and Micah 5:2 7:14 Therefore the Lord will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel… 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, the government will be upon His shoulders, he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Supernatural nature of child 7:14 Therefore the Lord will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel… 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, the government will be upon His shoulders, he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Supernatural nature of child 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come from Me one who will be ruler over Israel whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come from Me one who will be ruler over Israel whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Bethlehem Bethlehem

8. 3. Jewish Messianic expectation 3. Jewish Messianic expectation 4. Dispersion of the Jews major captivities 721/586 minor captivities business opportunities 4. Dispersion of the Jews major captivities 721/586 minor captivities business opportunities Exposed world to true God and Scripture Exposed world to true God and Scripture 5. Synagogue worship 5. Synagogue worship An alternate worship center An alternate worship center 6. Septuagint (LXX or 70) – 180 B. C. 6. Septuagint (LXX or 70) – 180 B. C. Greek Translation of O.T. Greek Translation of O.T.

9. 7. Religious climate of Israel a. Major religious groups: Pharisees Sadducees a. Major religious groups: Pharisees Sadducees Focus: Religious Political Focus: Religious Political Language: Hebrew Greek Language: Hebrew Greek Worship: Synagogue Temple Worship: Synagogue Temple Emphasis: Legalism Ritual Emphasis: Legalism Ritual Beliefs: Supernatural Anti-supernatural Beliefs: Supernatural Anti-supernatural

10. b. Legalism b. Legalism works salvation or covenant relationship works salvation or covenant relationship innumerable regulations innumerable regulations c. Proselytism c. Proselytism

11. B. Greek elements - cultural B. Greek elements - cultural Alexander the Great 334-323 BC Alexander the Great 334-323 BC 1. Greek language - unified Greek language - internationalized Greek language 1. Greek language - unified Greek language - internationalized Greek language 2. Greek customs 2. Greek customs - Greek way of life - Greek way of life 3. Greek philosophy 3. Greek philosophy - dualism - dualism - soul eternal - soul eternal - dignity of people - dignity of people

12. C. Roman Elements - Political 1. Roman unification of world 1. Roman unification of world 2. Roman peace 2. Roman peace 3. Roman law and order 3. Roman law and order 4. Roman citizenship 4. Roman citizenship 5. Roman roads 5. Roman roads 6. Roman moral and religious degeneration 6. Roman moral and religious degeneration 7. Roman recognition of Judaism 7. Roman recognition of Judaism 8. Roman political control of Israel 8. Roman political control of Israel