15. What special “time” is mentioned in Isaiah’s prophecy, and what is implied by this?

¹⁵ Isaiah’s prophecy continues with a statement of great significance. Jehovah tells the Messiah: “In a time of goodwill I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you; and I kept safeguarding you that I might give you as a covenant for the people.” (Isaiah 49:8a) A similar prophecy is recorded at Psalm 69:13-18. The psalmist refers to “a time of goodwill,” using the expression “an acceptable time.” These terms imply that Jehovah’s goodwill and protection are extended in a special manner but only during a specific and temporary period.

16. What was Jehovah’s time of goodwill for ancient Israel?

¹⁶ When was that time of goodwill? In the original setting, the words were part of a restoration prophecy and foretold the Jews’ return from exile. The nation of Israel experienced a time of goodwill when they were able to “rehabilitate the land” and repossess their “desolated hereditary possessions.” (Isaiah 49:8b)

Notwithstanding this initial dramatic fulfillment, the Bible shows that there are extended applications of this prophecy.

17, 18. What time of goodwill did Jehovah appoint during the first century?

¹⁷ First, on the occasion of Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed peace and God’s goodwill, or favor, toward men. (Luke 2:13, 14) This goodwill was offered, not to men in general, but only to those who exercised faith in Jesus. Later Jesus publicly read the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2 and applied it to himself as the proclaimer of “Jehovah’s acceptable year.” (Luke 4:17-21) The apostle Paul spoke of Christ as receiving Jehovah’s special protection during the days of his flesh. (Hebrews 5:7-9) So this time of goodwill applies to God’s favor upon Jesus during his lifetime as a human.

¹⁸ However, there is a further application of this prophecy. After quoting the words of Isaiah regarding the time of goodwill, Paul went on to say: “Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Paul wrote these words 22 years after Jesus’ death. Evidently, with the birth of the Christian congregation at Pentecost of 33 C.E., Jehovah extended his year of goodwill so as to include Christ’s anointed followers.

19. How can Christians today benefit from Jehovah’s time of goodwill?

¹⁹ What about Jesus’ followers today who are not anointed as heirs of God’s heavenly kingdom? Can those with an earthly hope benefit from this acceptable time? Yes. The Bible book of Revelation shows that this is a time of goodwill on the part of Jehovah toward the great crowd that will come “out of the great tribulation” to enjoy life on a paradise earth. (Revelation 7:13-17) Hence, all Christians can take advantage of this limited period during which Jehovah offers his goodwill to imperfect humans.

20. In what way can Christians avoid missing the purpose of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness?

²⁰ The apostle Paul preceded the proclamation of Jehovah’s acceptable time with a warning. He entreated Christians “not to accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose.” (2 Corinthians 6:1) Accordingly, Christians make use of every opportunity to please God and do his will. (Ephesians 5:15, 16) They do well to follow Paul’s admonition: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; but keep on exhorting one another each day, as long as it may be called ‘Today,’ for fear any one of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.”​—Hebrews 3:12, 13.