Christ Came at the Proper Time

The opponents press the issue: "Why was the Savior sent forth so late?"  Arnobius replies that it is because what was done needed to be done according to God's timing, not ours. Or as Paul put it:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  Romans 5:6

and

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:4-5

In unbounded, eternal ages nothing whatever should be spoken of as late.  For where there is no end and no beginning, nothing is too soon, nothing too late.  For time is perceived from its beginnings and endings, which an unbroken line and endless succession of ages cannot have.  For what if the things themselves to which it was necessary to bring help, required that as a fitting time?  For what if the condition of antiquity was different from that of later times?  What if it was necessary to give help to the men of old in one way, to provide for their descendants in another?

So, then, it may be that Almighty God, the only God, sent forth Christ only after the human race, becoming feebler, weaker, began to be such as we are.  If that which has been done now could have been done thousands of years ago, the Supreme Ruler would have done it; or if it had been proper, that what has been done now should be accomplished as many thousands after this, nothing compelled God to anticipate the necessary measure of time.  His affairs are executed in fixed ways; and that which has been once decided on, can in no wise be changed again.

Arnobius of Sicca, The Case against the Pagans, Book II, cap. 75