“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign
on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal
of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” ~ Is. 9:6, 7
This is the
season of great anticipation. For the very young it will be about the
sparkle, the lights, and the gifts of Christmas. For parents of the
young it will be about anticipating the sparkle in their children’s
eyes, the excitement as children open gifts, and the decrease in their
own wallets. For the older generation it will be the anticipation of
Christmas’ past and the anticipation of the generational inheritance
that creates those memories.
But there is a greater level of
anticipation for all that believe that Isaiah 9:6, 7 has been partially
fulfilled through the birth of Jesus and will be completely fulfilled in
His second coming. It is His coming to us that is the point of our
anticipation and our joy of fulfillment. The arrival of Jesus is His
‘advent’. The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin ‘adventus’ meaning
arrival or coming, particularly of something having great importance.
Many main line protestant and Catholic churches will recognize and
celebrate Advent during the four Sundays leading up to December 25th.
Advent is not an Old Testament festival. It is New Covenant recognition
of what was and what shall be. While most of the focus in churches will
be on His first advent, i.e. His birth, I believe in this day and hour
we must emphasize His second advent…His return not as a babe or a lamb,
but as the Lion of Judah, the King and Ruler. He will come as king and
ruler carrying eternal government on His shoulders, not just for
individuals but for the world. Revelation 19:11-16 paints a detailed
picture of His character, authority, and eternal nature as ruler upon
His second advent and will be called Faithful and True.
I
encourage each of you to celebrate and enjoy the first advent of Christ
this season. I also encourage you to celebrate, anticipate, and proclaim
His second advent for, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord
God, “who is, and whowas, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
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