{"id":48514,"date":"2022-01-02T18:53:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T15:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48514"},"modified":"2025-05-30T18:44:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T15:44:39","slug":"in-the-appointed-time-i-heard-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/01\/02\/in-the-appointed-time-i-heard-you\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIn the Appointed Time, I Heard You\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bible teaches that everything has its proper season and timing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ecclesiastes 3:1<\/strong>\u00a0says:<\/p>\n

\u201cTo everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means that while you may earnestly desire something, it won\u2019t happen unless it\u2019s the right time \u2014 the season that God has ordained.<\/p>\n

For instance, no matter how much water or fertilizer you give a mango tree, if it\u2019s not the season for it to bear fruit, it simply won\u2019t. But when the season arrives, even with minimal effort, the tree naturally produces fruit.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong>
\nBecause timing matters<\/strong>, even in spiritual things.<\/p>\n

\n

The Season of Grace<\/h3>\n

Just like physical seasons, spiritual blessings also operate within God-ordained seasons<\/strong>. One of these blessings is the grace of salvation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Many assume that the grace of salvation is always available and eternal, but Scripture teaches otherwise. Grace is offered during a specific period \u2014 the acceptable time<\/strong> \u2014 and outside of that time, it is not accessible.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 10:1-4<\/strong>explains:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t because they didn\u2019t pray enough or weren\u2019t devoted. Elijah, for example, is described as a man who prayed fervently:<\/p>\n

James 5:17<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cElijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Still, they could not access the grace we now have.<\/p>\n

Why not?<\/strong>
\nBecause it wasn\u2019t yet the season<\/strong> for grace to be revealed.<\/p>\n

\n

The New Season Begins<\/h3>\n

Everything changed when Jesus came.<\/p>\n

John 1:17<\/strong>\u00a0says:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus ushered in a new season \u2014 a time when God’s grace became available to all who believe.<\/p>\n

In the synagogue, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah and applied the prophecy to Himself:<\/p>\n

Luke 4:18\u201319<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
\nBecause He has anointed Me
\nTo preach the gospel to the poor…
\nTo proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice the phrase: \u201cthe acceptable year of the Lord.\u201d<\/strong>
\nThis is a specific time frame \u2014 the appointed season<\/em> in which God’s favor is poured out.<\/p>\n

\n

Now Is That Time<\/h3>\n

Paul affirms this clearly:<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 6:1\u20132<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
\nFor He says: \u2018In an acceptable time I have heard you,
\nAnd in the day of salvation I have helped you.\u2019
\nBehold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means we are currently living in the season<\/strong> when God’s grace is available and salvation can be received. But like all seasons, this one will not last forever.<\/p>\n

\n

A Closing Window<\/h3>\n

The grace we enjoy today will not always be here. When Christ returns to take His church \u2014 what the Bible calls the Rapture<\/strong> \u2014 this season will close.<\/p>\n

After that, no amount of prayer, fasting, or pleading will bring salvation, because it will no longer be the acceptable time.<\/p>\n

Matthew 25:10-13<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins \u2014 Jesus warns that when the door is shut, it will be too late<\/strong> to enter:<\/p>\n

\u201c…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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

What Should You Do?<\/h3>\n

Take hold of grace while it\u2019s still offered.<\/strong>
\nThe prophets of old longed to see this day. Jesus said:<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:17<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So how do you receive this grace?<\/p>\n

Acts 2:38<\/strong>\u00a0gives us the clear answer:<\/p>\n

\u201cRepent, 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n