Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "acceptable year" in the context of the Gospel is rooted in the prophetic and redemptive timeline of God's plan for humanity. This term is most notably referenced in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth. The passage He reads is Isaiah 61:1-2, which He declares fulfilled in their hearing:"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" (Luke 4:18-19). Biblical Context and Meaning The "acceptable year of the Lord" is understood as a time of divine favor and grace, a period when God's salvation and deliverance are made manifest through the ministry of Jesus Christ. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the Jubilee year described in Leviticus 25. The Jubilee was a time of liberation, restoration, and rest, occurring every fifty years, when slaves were freed, debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original owners. It was a time of renewal and a fresh start for the people of Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus' proclamation of the "acceptable year" signifies the inauguration of the Messianic age, where the spiritual realities of the Jubilee are fulfilled in Him. It marks the beginning of the Gospel era, characterized by the preaching of the good news, healing, and the breaking of spiritual and physical bondage. Theological Significance Theologically, the "acceptable year of the Lord" underscores the present reality of God's kingdom breaking into the world through Christ. It highlights the transition from the old covenant to the new, where the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus. This period is marked by the availability of God's grace to all who believe, transcending ethnic, social, and cultural barriers. The "acceptable year" also emphasizes the urgency of the Gospel message. As Paul writes, "For He says: 'In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:2). This underscores the immediacy of responding to God's call, as the time of grace is now. Practical Implications For believers, the "acceptable year of the Lord" serves as a reminder of the ongoing mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel and embody the values of the kingdom. It calls Christians to participate in the work of liberation and restoration, reflecting the heart of God in their communities and beyond. In summary, the "acceptable year of the Lord" is a profound biblical concept that encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message. It is a time of grace, redemption, and transformation, inaugurated by Christ and continuing through the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 61:2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 4:19 Library The Thirty ??ons are not Typified by the Fact that Christ was ... The Gospel of Luke Marcion, Justifying his Antithesis Between the Law and the Gospel ... A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ... "The Fullness of the Time" A Continuation of Mr. Bunyan's Life, Beginning Where He Left Off ... Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian. How the West Saxons Received the Word of God by the Preaching of ... The Gospel of Luke The Chronology Resources How does young earth creationism handle the evidence for millions of years in the fossil record? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seventy weeks of Daniel? | GotQuestions.org Why was Israel cursed with forty years of wilderness wandering? | GotQuestions.org Years: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Years in Prophetic Computation, Days Reckoned As Years: (Acceptable) of the Time of the Gospel Years: (Being Full of) of Old Age Years: (Of Recompences) Judgments Years: (Of the Redeemed) Redemption by Christ Years: (Of the Right Hand of the Most High) Prosperity Years: (Of Visitation) Severe Judgments Years: (Well Stricken In) Old Age Years: Commencement of, Changed After the Exodus Years: Early Computation of Time By Years: Length of, During the Patriarchal Age Years: The Sun and Moon Appointed to Mark Out Related Terms Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) Commandments (181 Occurrences) |
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