Cosmic Jubilee

Appointed Times and Divine Cycles

Text: Genesis 1:14; Leviticus 23; Galatians 4:4 Series: The Cosmic Jubilee (Week 2) Date: May 11, 2025 Preacher: Pastor Mike Theme: God’s redemptive plan unfolds through appointed times and sacred cycles, revealing His faithfulness. Goal: To establish the biblical principle that God works through real events that also serve as prophetic shadows, laying the foundation for understanding the rest of the series.

Introduction: The Pattern of Prophecy in History

Church, today we continue our journey through God’s calendar—His appointed times, His sacred rhythms. But before we talk about dates, before we talk about feasts, I want to take you back to a story we have studied together—a story we walked through years ago in our series on types and shadows.

It’s the story of Joseph—a story of a young man with dreams, a coat of many colors, and a journey from suffering to salvation.

Genesis 37:3-4 (LSB)

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms."

But his brothers did more than just hate him. They betrayed him.

Genesis 37:28 (LSB)

"Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt."

But the betrayal of Joseph was not just an act of evil—it was the beginning of a greater plan. For in Egypt, Joseph rose to power. He became a savior in a time of famine.

Genesis 50:20 (LSB)

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

But church, do you see it? Joseph’s story was not just history—it was prophecy. It was a shadow of something greater.

Betrayed by his brothers—just as Christ was.

Sold for silver—just as Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver.

Falsely accused and condemned—just as Christ was.

Raised to rule and save—just as Christ is our Savior.

Joseph’s life was a shadow—a prophetic picture of Jesus. This is how God works. He works in real history, but He writes His story in patterns and shadows.

I. The Shadow of Joseph: Real History, Prophetic Pattern

Joseph’s story was not just a series of tragic events—it was a divine pattern. God allowed him to be betrayed, to be cast down, to suffer—not just to test him, but to paint a picture of a greater salvation.

And this is not just true of Joseph—it is how God has always worked. He uses real events—real people—but those events are never just about the moment. They are windows into something greater.

When Abraham offered Isaac, it was a real test of faith.

Genesis 22:2 (LSB): "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

But it was also a shadow of the Father giving His Son.

When Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, it was a real act of healing.

Numbers 21:8-9 (LSB): "And Yahweh said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, will live.'"

But it was also a shadow of Christ lifted up on the Cross.

And when Joseph was betrayed and raised to rule, it was more than just a story—it was a prophecy of Christ.

God works through shadows—not shadows of fiction, but shadows of history. And these shadows are meant to teach us who He is, how He works, and what He has promised.

II. Noah and the 120 Years: Real Judgment, Prophetic Shadow

But Joseph is not the only shadow in Scripture. God’s patterns are everywhere. They are written in the lives of His people. They are written in the sacred calendar. And they are written in the great moments of history.

Think of Noah. For 120 years, Noah preached righteousness while building an ark. And for 120 years, the world watched, mocked, and ignored him.

Genesis 6:3 (LSB)

"Then Yahweh said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.'"

But the 120 years were not just a random number—they were an appointed time. They were a window of mercy, a warning of judgment, and a pattern of God’s patience.

2 Peter 2:5 (LSB)

"…Noah, a preacher of righteousness…"

But this was not just a countdown to a flood—it was a shadow.

It was a real flood, but it pointed to a greater judgment.

It was a real ark, but it pointed to a greater salvation.

It was a real deliverance for Noah’s family, but it pointed to a greater deliverance through Christ.

1 Peter 3:20-21 (LSB)

"…when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah… corresponding to that, baptism now saves you… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

God’s judgment is real. His mercy is real. But His patterns are also prophetic.

III. The Principle of Appointed Times and Sacred Cycles

Galatians 4:4 (LSB)

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son…”

God is not random. He is rhythmic. He works in appointed times, sacred cycles, and prophetic shadows. And this is not just something we see in a few stories—it is a pattern that runs throughout Scripture.

In Creation: God set a rhythm from the very beginning—six days of work, one day of rest. A Sabbath cycle. But this was not just a command—it was a pattern of redemption. Just as creation rested, so would His people find rest in Him.

In the Feasts of Israel: He set a calendar of sacred appointments—seven feasts, each revealing a stage of His redemptive plan. Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles—each one a shadow of what Christ would fulfill.

In the Life of His People: He revealed His plan through real events—Abraham’s offering of Isaac, Moses lifting up the serpent, David’s anointing, and Solomon’s temple. Each one was a moment in history, but also a prophetic picture of something greater.

But this principle of appointed times is not just an Old Testament concept—it is a truth that runs throughout the Bible.

Think of Jesus. He did not come at a random time—He came "in the fullness of time."

The Fullness of Time

But what does that mean—“the fullness of time”? It means that God had set the stage perfectly.

The Roman Empire had united the world with roads and a common language—making the spread of the Gospel possible.

The Old Covenant was at its peak—temple sacrifices were being offered, but they had lost their power.

The prophets had spoken, and the people were waiting.

And then, at that precise moment—Jesus came. Not early. Not late. But at the appointed time.

But this is not just true of His first coming—God always works in appointed times.

He told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years—and they were delivered on the exact night He had appointed (Exodus 12:40-41).

He gave Noah 120 years—a countdown of mercy before the flood.

He sent Jonah to Nineveh with 40 days of warning—and the city repented.

God’s plan is not chaotic—it is calculated. His mercy is not an accident—it is an appointment. His judgments are not random—they are right on time.

And the same is true in your life. God is not late. He is not early. He is always on time.

But the question is—are you in sync with His time? Are you living in step with His rhythm? Or are you trying to write your own story while ignoring His?

Church, the God who created time has set a rhythm for redemption. And His clock is still ticking.

IV. Setting the Foundation: Learning to See the Patterns

Church, the Bible is not just a collection of stories—it is a revelation of patterns.

Joseph’s story was not just a tale of betrayal and redemption—it was a prophecy. A shadow of Christ.

Noah’s 120 years were not just a countdown to a flood—they were a picture of judgment and grace.

Israel’s feasts were not just ancient rituals—they were a prophetic calendar of salvation.

But it goes even further. This principle of divine patterns is the foundation for understanding everything we will study in this series. We are not just talking about random events—we are talking about sacred cycles.

Think of the concept of Jubilee—a year of release, restoration, and rest. But that was not just an economic policy—it was a prophetic picture of something greater.

Every 50 years, slaves were set free, debts were canceled, and land was restored.

But in Christ, this is fulfilled spiritually—He sets us free from sin, cancels our debt of guilt, and restores our lost inheritance.

Jesus proclaimed Jubilee when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… to proclaim release to the captives” (Luke 4:18).

But even this is a pattern—a pattern of God’s grace, a rhythm of redemption.

Learning to See the Patterns

But how do we recognize these patterns? How do we see the sacred cycles in our own lives?

We read Scripture with open eyes—seeing both the history and the prophecy.

When we read about Joseph, we see a young man betrayed—but we also see a picture of Christ.

When we read about Noah’s ark, we see a boat of salvation—but we also see a shadow of the Cross.

We recognize that God’s plan is not just about ancient history—it is still unfolding.

His sacred calendar is not just for Israel—it reveals His plan for the world.

His appointed times are not just past events—they are prophetic patterns that continue.

We align our lives with His rhythm—living in step with His appointed times.

We don’t set dates, but we live ready.

We don’t speculate, but we watch for His patterns.

We don’t fear the future, but we trust His timing.

And this is the foundation for everything we will study in this series—understanding that God’s plan is revealed in appointed times, prophetic patterns, and sacred rhythms.

Church, we are not just students of history—we are disciples of prophecy. We are not just learning facts—we are learning to see the divine design. And the more we understand His patterns, the more we understand His plan.

Conclusion: The God Who Keeps His Appointments

God is a God of appointments. He keeps His promises at the appointed time. And He offers you grace—now, at the appointed time.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (LSB)

"For He says, 'At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation."

Jesus is the Lamb. Jesus is the Ark. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Jubilee.

Repent. Believe. Come home. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the season of release. Now is the appointed time.

The Echoes of Jubilee in Our Time

Church, as we reflect on God's appointed times and sacred cycles, we must ask: Could we be witnessing the rhythms of Jubilee unfolding in our own day?

Consider the remarkable events around us:

Global Debt Relief Initiatives: In 2025, former African leaders, including ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, called for a new collective debt relief program akin to the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative of the 1990s. This movement aims to address the crippling debts of the world's poorest nations, advocating for a fresh start and economic justice. Reuters

Land Restoration Efforts: The Czech Republic witnessed an extraordinary event where a family of beavers naturally constructed dams in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area, effectively restoring wetlands that had been degraded for decades. This unexpected act of ecological restoration saved the government approximately $1.2 million and revitalized the local ecosystem. Wikipedia

Combating Human Trafficking: In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services observed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, emphasizing a holistic approach to preventing human trafficking. This initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to liberate individuals from modern-day slavery and restore their dignity. RepGrant+2U.S. Department of Homeland Security+2U.S. Department of State+2

Spiritual Revivals: Across the United States, movements like the Jesus March 2025 have seen thousands of believers gathering to proclaim their faith boldly. These events signify a spiritual awakening, echoing the liberation and renewal themes central to the concept of Jubilee. United Revival

These are not isolated incidents; they resonate with the themes of release, restoration, and renewal central to the biblical Jubilee.

Could it be that God's ancient rhythms are manifesting anew, calling us to recognize His hand in our times?

Let us open our eyes and hearts to these signs, aligning ourselves with His divine calendar.