“In the Appointed Time, I Heard You”
The Bible teaches that everything has its proper season and timing.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
This means that while you may earnestly desire something, it won’t happen unless it’s the right time — the season that God has ordained.
For instance, no matter how much water or fertilizer you give a mango tree, if it’s not the season for it to bear fruit, it simply won’t. But when the season arrives, even with minimal effort, the tree naturally produces fruit.
Why?
Because timing matters, even in spiritual things.
The Season of Grace
Just like physical seasons, spiritual blessings also operate within God-ordained seasons. One of these blessings is the grace of salvation.
Many assume that the grace of salvation is always available and eternal, but Scripture teaches otherwise. Grace is offered during a specific period — the acceptable time — and outside of that time, it is not accessible.
Before Jesus came into the world, people could not fully receive the forgiveness of sins. Their sins were covered temporarily through sacrifices, but never fully removed.
Hebrews 10:1-4explains:
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come… it can never, by the same sacrifices… make perfect those who draw near… For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
Even great figures like Moses, David, and Elijah had their sins covered, not forgiven in the full sense. Their righteousness was counted by faith, but they did not live in the dispensation of grace.
This wasn’t because they didn’t pray enough or weren’t devoted. Elijah, for example, is described as a man who prayed fervently:
James 5:17
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…”
Still, they could not access the grace we now have.
Why not?
Because it wasn’t yet the season for grace to be revealed.
The New Season Begins
Everything changed when Jesus came.
John 1:17 says:
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Jesus ushered in a new season — a time when God’s grace became available to all who believe.
In the synagogue, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah and applied the prophecy to Himself:
Luke 4:18–19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor…
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Notice the phrase: “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
This is a specific time frame — the appointed season in which God’s favor is poured out.
Now Is That Time
Paul affirms this clearly:
2 Corinthians 6:1–2
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
This means we are currently living in the season when God’s grace is available and salvation can be received. But like all seasons, this one will not last forever.
A Closing Window
The grace we enjoy today will not always be here. When Christ returns to take His church — what the Bible calls the Rapture — this season will close.
After that, no amount of prayer, fasting, or pleading will bring salvation, because it will no longer be the acceptable time.
Matthew 25:10-13 — in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins — Jesus warns that when the door is shut, it will be too late to enter:
“…the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut… Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
What Should You Do?
Take hold of grace while it’s still offered.
The prophets of old longed to see this day. Jesus said:
Matthew 13:17
“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it…”
So how do you receive this grace?
Acts 2:38 gives us the clear answer:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Repent of your sins.
- Be baptized in His name.
- Live in obedience to Him.
This is how you enter into the grace of God and are counted among those ready for His return.
The Lord is coming!.
