ARLENE - If Christ was born in the meridian of time and man was on earth about 4000 years old when He was born, why do we believe, that after only 2002 years after His birth, He will be returning soon? I have read that there may be different meanings to the word "meridian". But I have also read that it does mean the middle of the age of the earth before it is to be celestalized.

JOEL - You need to extend your timetable beyond the Millennium. The meridian of time has been defined as the middle or high point of the period of eternity known as mortal time(Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 486). Mortal time consists of from approximately 4000 BC to the end of the "little season" of time after the Millennium. Here is how the time breaks down:

Beginning of mortal time; Fall of Adam
From Fall of Adam to reign of Jesus = 4000 yrs
Meridian of Time; Christ's ministry
Time since Jesus' birth= 2000 years
Unknown amount of time between now and Millennium
Millennial reign = 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-6)
Little season= possibly several hundred years (Rev. 20:7-10; D&C 43:31, 88:111-115)
End of mortal time; Earth celestialized (Rev. 21:22-5).

If you do the math, according to this time table the middle of mortal time on earth would be at about the time of Jesus' ministry.(See Doctrines of Salvation 1:81)
The meridian of time has also been described as the high point or apex of all the dispensations because of what Christ did on earth.

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