Four Hundred Years. GOD’S People Were Waiting. GOD Was Silent.
Malachi Was the Last Prophet of The Old Testament. After the book of Malachi, GOD remained Silent for Roughly Four Hundred Years until The Appearance of John the Baptist. Four Hundred Years Without GOD Revealing Anything New to HIS People. This Was Prophesied in (Amos 8:11), “Behold, the days come, sayeth the LORD GOD, that I will send a Famine not of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the LORD.” This was known as the Intertestamental Period.
During this Intertestamental Period of four hundred years without a Prophet; Priests and Levites became the main teachers of the Law. However, Jews felt they failed to teach the Law correctly; thus, the Jewish Society became divided. Also emerging during this time, were eight (8) different movements of Judaism; 1. Pharisees, 2. Sadducees, 3. Essenes, 4. Scribes, 5. Sanhedrin, 6. Herodians, 7. Zealots, 8. Publicans. The Book of Malachi was for Israel to remember and take Hope in their Coming MESSIAH. However, with all the aforementioned movements debating the meanings of Scriptures as to who the MESSIAH would be left the Jewish People to search on their own. This conflict left the Jewish People to their own misguided interpretations and influenced their Hope for Their Coming MESSIAH. As a result, the Jewish People became confused as to the true understanding of who the SAVIOR would be.
THE LONG-AWAITED GIFT OF GOD ARRIVES:
“When the fullness of time came, GOD sent forth HIS SON.” (Galatians 4:4). Four Hundred Years of Waiting. GOD’S eternal plan. This “silence” of Four Hundred Years Magnified the entrance of The Greatest Gift of All, The Most Celebrated Person and Event in History. The silence was broken when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary saying, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call HIS name JESUS.” (Luke 1:31) For Unto Us a Child Is Born…This “child born” established CHRIST’S humanity as HE was born of a virgin. (Isaiah 9:6). Unto Us, A SON Is Given…This “Son Given” established CHRIST’S Deity; in reference to John 3:16 to be the only ONE qualified to bear our sins on the Cross and did so voluntarily.
At this same angelic visit to Mary, mentioned above, Gabriel told Mary of her cousin Elizabeth’s conception of child in her old age. JESUS and John the Baptist had a womb-to-womb experience at their first encounter, when Mary, the mother of JESUS, went to visit Elizabeth, the mother of John. Unborn Baby John leaped in joyous celebration when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary. At same time, the HOLY SPIRIT fell upon Elizabeth and she spoke out with a loud voice, saying, “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my LORD should come to me?” (Luke 1:43) The entrance of both of these unborn babies, JESUS and John, was marked by angelic proclamation and divine intervention.
John’s ministry was marked by the combination of the law and prophets, but also heralded the advancement of the Kingdom of GOD. His message of “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” taught us judgment was at hand. John was called “the Baptist” as he baptized those who sincerely repented of their sins. (Matt. 3:1) John was that voice in the wilderness preaching Repentance and Prepare Ye The Way of the LORD. Many believed that John was Elijah reincarnated. (Malachi 3:1, 4:5). And JESUS affirmed this belief. (Matt 17: 11-13) When John beheld JESUS coming toward him, he said, “Behold, The Lamb Of GOD, Who Takes Away the Sin Of The World.” (John 1:29) “And when JESUS was baptized, the heavens were opened to him, and HE saw the SPIRIT of GOD descending like a dove and coming to rest on HIM; and behold, a Voice from Heaven said, “This is MY BELOVED SON, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
JESUS, THE PERFECT GIFT
GOD sent JESUS as the perfect gift to mankind. “For GOD so loved the world,” this Love of GOD can only be provided by a HOLY, SINLESS GOD, making GOD the perfect giver. “That HE gave HIS only SON.” Here, GOD willingly delivers HIS SON; and CHRIST willingly embraces this decree. “That whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal 
life.” (John 3:16) JESUS, the radiance of GOD’S Glory and the express reflection of GOD, the exact image of GOD, the firstborn over all creation; voluntarily took on our sins, so we could have Eternal Life. (Col. 1:15) (John 14:9) (Heb. 1:3) JESUS, the GOD man; and the only one qualified to meet our need for a SAVIOR, Deliverer, Redeemer, Healer and Friend. JESUS, the perfect gift that remains constant and continuous still gives, thousands of years later. The Perfect Giver Gives the Perfect Gift… so, we can obtain the Perfect Plan. Such Love Divine!
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE GIFT?
Christmas 2020. GOD is Still HOLY. Sin is Still Serious. People Still Need a SAVIOR. Even Mary, the mother of JESUS, displayed her need for a SAVIOR when she said, “My Soul Doth Magnify The LORD. (Luke 1:46) The whole sacrificial system of the Old Testament landed on Our Beloved JESUS CHRIST. This BABY who was born in a manger, who went about doing good and healing all who came to HIM, was crucified, raised on the third day, ascended back to The FATHER, and has been waiting patiently for decisions of repentance for all who are willing and obedient to receive this Eternal Gift of Life. “Neither is there Salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Every Scripture, Every Word. All About JESUS. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life; and they are they which testify of ME. (John 5:39)
Then HE opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the CHRIST should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in HIS name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46)
Come, receive JESUS today. JESUS Commands Repentance. “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt. 4:17) “That if you confess with your mouth, “JESUS is LORD,” and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you shall be saved. (Rom 10:9) Sin condemns you to eternal separation from GOD and perpetual suffering in hell; but GOD orchestrated a divine plan for our redemption by providing a SAVIOR who can lead us to freedom and restore a right relationship with GOD. “For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM.” (11 Cor. 5:21)
For 400 years they waited in silence for that wonderful gift, but we no longer have to wait. Receive His gift by faith today, and He will be “Emmanuel” – God with you – for all of eternity. May God bless you and yours in this season as you remember God’s Gift for all who will receive.
For the past 2,000 years or so, those who gave their lives and hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ have awaited His imminent return.
As signs of the times have come close to fulfillment on different times, and the expectations grew stronger, only to melt away with more time.
Here we are now.
Yes, finally Matthew 24:14 has come to pass. The gospel has been preached and can be found everywhere. The internet has grown into a global usage in short order.
Israel became a nation again in 1947. Peace and safety agreements are being made with the help of God, the Trump Administration, and the effort of the nations around the nation of Israel. USA declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel and the Embassy in Jerusalem is open for business.
Yes, we are living in really unusual and fulfilling times. Think of the troubles we face and see what Scriptures are being fulfilled ahead of the parousia of the King of kings, Lord of lords, all hail King Jesus!
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.