In the Bible, “appointed time” refers to a divinely designated moment or season when God’s plans and purposes are fulfilled, often associated with significant events in salvation history (Habakkuk 2:3; Ecclesiastes 3:1). It emphasizes God’s sovereignty in orchestrating events according to His divine timeline.
Scripture
14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Appointed Time in the Bible
The concept of “appointed time” in the Bible underscores the belief that God is actively involved in the course of human history, ensuring that His divine purposes unfold at the precise moment He determines. This is particularly evident in scripture such as Habakkuk 2:3, which states, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Here, the prophet emphasizes the inevitability of God’s plans, encouraging believers to remain patient and faithful, even when the fulfillment seems distant. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 3:1 proclaims, “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven,” suggesting that there are orchestrated moments for joy, sorrow, and numerous other experiences, reinforcing the notion that time is under divine authority.
Moreover, this theme of “appointed time” resonates throughout the narrative of redemption, notably in the New Testament, where Galatians 4:4 articulates the arrival of Christ as being in “the fullness of time.” This signifies that Jesus’ birth and subsequent ministry were not random events but rather the culmination of a divine timeline, reflecting God’s perfect timing in the fulfillment of His promises. The broader significance lies in the understanding that believers are called to trust in God’s ultimate plan, even amidst uncertainty or delay. This encourages a posture of faith, as followers of Christ recognize that each appointed time serves a purpose within God’s grand design, leading towards eternal fulfillment and divine justice.
The theme of “appointed time” also finds expression in the narrative of God’s covenant with Israel, particularly evident in the prophetic books where divine declarations emerge regarding the timing of judgment and restoration. For instance, in the book of Daniel, we see a clear indication of appointed time in the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which outlines a specific timeline for the coming of the anointed one. This propitious timing highlights not just the sovereignty of God but also serves as a reminder that His plans are intricately woven into the fabric of human history. These prophetic declarations point towards a future that is predetermined by God, illustrating that while humans may lead lives subject to uncertainty, the divine narrative remains steadfast and purposeful.
The New Testament also reinforces this doctrine through the concept of the “kairos” moment—periods of divine opportunity that call for a response from humanity. In the ministry of Jesus, moments of healing, teaching, and revelation were often characterized by the phrase “the time has come,” emphasizing the significance of readiness and response to God’s call. Such instances indicate that appointed times require a human element of engagement, positioning believers to act in alignment with God’s timing. In essence, these moments invite individuals to acknowledge and participate in God’s unfolding story, reinforcing that each appointed time not only signifies fulfillment but also necessitates a proactive faith that anticipates and responds to God’s overarching plan.
Divine Sovereignty and Timing
The concept of “appointed time” in the Bible often reflects the belief that God is sovereign over all events and that He has a specific timeline for His purposes. This underscores the idea that human understanding of time is limited, while God’s timing is perfect and intentional. Events unfold according to His divine plan, reminding believers to trust in His wisdom and timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain or delayed.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Appointed times in the Bible frequently relate to the fulfillment of prophecies. These moments are seen as divinely orchestrated occurrences that bring about God’s promises and plans for humanity. The appointed time signifies a pivotal moment when God’s word is realized, reinforcing the faith of believers in His promises and the certainty of His plans coming to fruition.
Preparation and Readiness
The notion of an appointed time also emphasizes the importance of preparation and readiness among believers. It serves as a reminder that while God has set specific times for His actions, individuals are called to be vigilant and prepared for those moments. This theme encourages a lifestyle of faithfulness and anticipation, urging believers to align their lives with God’s purposes and to be ready to respond when the appointed time arrives.
How to Trust in Divine Timing for Spiritual Growth
Trusting in divine timing can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of our spiritual journey. It often feels like we’re in a race against time, eager for growth, answers, or breakthroughs. However, embracing the idea that God’s timing is perfect can transform our perspective. When I find myself feeling impatient, I remind myself of Ecclesiastes 3:1, which tells us that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” This verse encourages me to pause and reflect on the lessons and experiences that each season brings. Instead of rushing through life, I’ve learned to cultivate patience and trust, knowing that every moment is an opportunity for growth, even when it feels like nothing is happening. By surrendering my timeline to God, I open myself up to deeper understanding and richer experiences, allowing my faith to flourish in ways I never anticipated. So, let’s lean into this divine rhythm, trusting that our spiritual growth is unfolding exactly as it should, in God’s perfect timing.
Bible References to Appointed Time Meaning:
Exodus 9:5-6: 5 And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.”
6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.
Leviticus 23:4-8: 4 “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them.
5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover.
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.
8 But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.”
Numbers 9:2-5: 2 “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.
3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.
4 So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover.
5 And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did.
Deuteronomy 31:10-13: 10 And he commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths,
11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12 Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law,
13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.
1 Samuel 13:8-14: 8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.
11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,
12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”
13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
2 Kings 4:16-17: 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.”
17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.
Psalm 75:2-3: 2 At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Isaiah 60:22: 22 The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.
Daniel 8:19-20: 19 He said, “Behold, I am making known to you what shall happen later in the period of wrath, for it refers to the appointed time of the end.
20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.
Habakkuk 2:2-3: 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
Matthew 24:36-44: 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Mark 1:14-15: 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Acts 1:6-7: 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Romans 5:6-8: 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Galatians 4:4-5: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Ephesians 1:9-10: 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
1 Timothy 2:5-6: 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Titus 1:2-3: 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
Hebrews 9:27-28: 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
1 Peter 5:6-7: 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Revelation 1:1-3: 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.