Week 48: Coming Back for Me

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¹² “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

 

¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes,^[a] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

 

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

 

¹⁷ The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

 

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

 

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:12-20 (ESV)

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This week begins the season called Advent in the traditional Christian calendar. It is a season of anticipation, in which Christians unite in the weeks before Christmas in awaiting the celebration of Jesus’ coming. And even though many churches, such as ours, do not celebrate the strict season of Advent according to the liturgical calendar, I am sure we still feel the sense of awaiting! After all, the next big thing on our calendar is Christmas itself. Shoppers anticipate being able to buy gifts for their friends and family. Workers anticipate a long-coming break from months of work. Drivers anticipate a season of horrid traffic. Truly, there is no escaping the fact that the weeks before Christmas are so pregnant with anticipation.

Likewise, we as Christians anticipate something so much greater in the coming of the Lord. However, what if we do not feel like celebrating? What if this Christmas is a dark season, to be celebrated the first time without a precious loved one? What if Christmas means isolation and distance from everyone you know and love? Though we may know in our minds the beauty of the coming of Christ, the birth of a baby two thousand years ago seems so far removed from our hearts and daily lives.

Praise the Lord; Christians do not live only in the past but also in the present, and—even more beautifully—in eternity. We are called to live in light of the historical Christ’s first coming and his glorious second coming. After all, the word Advent, Adventus in Latin or Parousia in Greek, simply means “arrival” or “coming.” Dear brothers and sisters, await with me the arrival of our Lord!

There is a direct connection between Christ’s first and second comings. Without the first there cannot be the second. Thus, we should indeed celebrate the first, but know the story is not finished there. Christians are often too busy debating the day and month of Christ’s birth, or the nature of the second coming, or signs of the end times, that they miss the point. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son and Word of God, is returning as King and Redeemer!

If you are too overwhelmed to celebrate Christmas this year, know that the story is not yet over. Christ became man, and, as both Man and God, will return for us. May this be the hope that lives in you! May this season be not simply a time of gifts and traffic and decorations, but a time of anticipation. Be willing to embrace the tension of past and future, the already and not yet. Christ is already Incarnate, but we await the redemption that is not yet. Christ is already our Savior, but we await His return that is not yet. Christ is already our Lord, but we await His kingdom that is not yet. Christ has already arrived on earth and united us with Him in His death and resurrection, but we await the consummation of this unity that is not yet!

And if you, gentle reader, do not yet know and are not yet united with Christ, why do you wait? The arms of our Lord are wide open, waiting for you. The God who knows each star by name knows your name as well, and is calling for you to join His presence. And one day, may we meet in His very own presence at the coming of the Lord.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)

And if you are already one with Christ, then take hope and live likewise! Fear not the trials and the darkness of the day, for we live in a season of anticipation. Heed not the temptations of the world, for something and Someone infinitely more beautiful than earthly pleasures is coming. Await with me and together let us implore: Come, Lord Jesus!