Advent

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

Our church, like most, is in the midst of observing Advent – meaning arrival.
We know from the Old Testament that ever since Eden, mankind anticipated the coming of the promised seed of woman to crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).

Like any of us, even Adam and Eve probably thought the Promised One would be among their children. Could it be Cain? Could it be Abel? One murdered, the other the murderer. Could it be Seth?  Generation after generation they waited, they watched, and they longed to see Messiah’s arrival.

I am being refreshed by the series of messages causing us to reflect not only on Christ’s first coming – which we celebrate during this season – but casting our vision to His second coming, the second Advent.

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. (Revelation 1:7)
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  (Revelation 21:3-5)

We are in the period of time between Advents. Christ’s Second Advent will usher in the renewal of all things.  Our suffering, our struggles, our trials will come to an end replaced with glory, peace and abounding joy.

That begs the question, “Do we long for His second coming like our ancestors longed for His first coming?”

How often do you find yourself even thinking about His return? I confess, not nearly enough.  The reminder of His coming encourages us in the present in the midst of our suffering, our struggle and our trials.

Jesus has come and is coming again. Pause and meditate on that hope today.

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; ²⁰ I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.” Hosea 2:19-20