Bethlen Almanac 1998 (Ligonier)

Az amerikai egyháztestekben - In other denominations

disciples on Palm Sunday - “the very Stones will cry out!” - the immovable, undisputable facts of history.

If it was important, - as it was indeed - that the little town of Bethlehem be the birthplace of the Messiah, it is equally significant just when, at what time, in which period of history should this Plan of God manifest itself.

The time was 2000 years ago, give or take a few years on account of the inaccurate calendar of the ancient world. Why then? Why not, say, 300 years before or 500 years later? What was so special about that period of History?

Just about everything.

“The fulness of time,” says the commentator of the Jerusalem Bible, “is the phrase indicating how, when the Messianic Age comes, it will fill a need felt for centuries.” Not only the Hebrew prophets, but Greek historians and Roman poets alike, and the literature of early Judaism attest to this worldwide expectation.

The time was “favorable” for other reasons as well. The then known world - from Britain to Persia, from Gibraltar to Alexandria was One, unified empire under Roman rule. Roman citizens (the Apostle Paul was one!) could travel freely anywhere they wanted. No passport, no visa were necessary, and the silver coins of Rome were accepted at face everywhere. No questions were asked.

L. to r.: Rev.Nicholas Novak, Chaplain of the Bethlen Home, and Mr. Bela Toth, Chief Elder.

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