Introduction: The Bible presents time as being important. The Christian is told "redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). Familiarity with time is taught and enjoined (Rom. 13: 11). The Bible also contains instances of particular points in time being critical (I Pet. 1:11, Gal. 4: 4). At a certain point in time, babes in Christ should become
mature and able (skilled) to teach others (Heb. 5: 12_14). In this study, we shall endeavor to explore some specific points in time relative to some controversial subjects.

BODY

I. AT WHAT POINT IN TIME DOES HUMAN LIFE BEGIN?

A. When does life begin, does it begin at conception, at a certain time in the stage of development after conception but before birth, or at birth?

1. This is more than an academic exercise, because upon the answer hinges the morality or abortion.

B. Many contend life begins at birth (first natural breath of air).

1. Hence, "abortion" is not murder.

2. If that is true even late term abortions at eight and nine months are perfectly legal and moral.
 

C. However, the Bible presents life being present before birth

1. Psalms 139:13- For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

2. Psalms 139:15_16 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were
written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. 

3. Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

4. Luke 1:41 - And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
 

D. A passage used by abortionists to justify abortion actually proves that an unborn is a human being before birth.

1. Exodus 21:22_23 "If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,"

2. The text states that the "pregnancy" is a child. Thus, when understood in light of the other passages cited it shows that "any harm follows" most mean that if either the mother or child dies that the offender would give his life.

3. The only reasonable conclusion, then, is life begins before birth and at the point of conception (if not at conception, where do you say that that pregnancy is a human?).

A. There has always been fascination regarding death.

1. This fascination does not only concern what happens after death, but the point in time death occurs.

B. The Bible not only reveals to us what happens after death, but the point in time when death becomes a reality.

1. James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

2. Medical science may disagree at what point this action takes place, but this settles the matter, as far as the Bible is concerned.

C. The following truths would also teach that there is no such thing as dying and coming back.

1. Hebrews 9:27 - "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,"

2. The rich man in torment could not pass out of his place, neither could Lazarus pass from Paradise (uke 16:20-31)

A. Salvation is the most important subject that we could ever address. When are we saved from our sins?

1. Most of denominationalism insists salvation occurs at the point in time when the lost believes (isolated act). Hence, the famous expression "salvation is by grace only, Christ only, and faith only."

2. Of course, if this is true the demons are saved because they believe (James 2:19). "The demons believe, but they do not have saving faith," the objection states.

3. What is saving faith? Saving faith is trust in God which manifests itself in implicit obedience

a. James 2:19-26

b. Hebrews 11

B. Many verses reveal the point in time of initial salvation as being at the time of water baptism which is preceded by belief, repentance, and confession of Jesus' deity (Acts 2: 36, 38, 8: 37, 2: 38).

1. Acts 2:36-38

2. Acts 22:16

C. It is at the point in time of baptism that one is buried with Christ, puts on Christ, and the old man is put to death and the new man arises from the watery grave to walk in newness of life.

1. Romans 6:2-3

2. Galatians 3: 26, 27

IV. AT WHAT POINT IN TIME DID CHRIST'S KINGDOM BEGIN?

A. Notice Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan. 2: 31_45). There were four world kingdoms

1. (Babylonian, 600 BC until 536 BC, Dan. 2: 32; 

2. Medo_Persian, 536 BC until 360 BC, 2: 32;

3. Macedonia, 360 BC until 323 BC, 2: 32;

4. Roman, became a world power in 30 BC, 2: 33).

B. It was to be "in the days of these kings..." (vs. 44, 43, 33, the Roman Empire).

1. The Kingdom was established in the days of the Roman Empire in Acts 2, AD 30.

2. Matthew 3:2 - and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

3. Matthew 16:18_19 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

4. Colossians 1:13 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 

5. Revelation 1:9 - I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

6. Thus the kingdom of God began in the days of the Roman Empire and continue to this day. It is not something that will be established at some date in the future.

Conclusion: At what point in time are you? Have you been saved from your sins by being immersed into Christ? Someday, when you reach the point in time that you experience death it will be the only thing that will matter in life