Advent
A season of longing, hoping, grieving, and perhaps anticipation
Ancient Expectations
Since the Fall the universe has been anticipating the restoration of everything back to its original order. God promised Adam and Eve that a future offspring would make things right. This promised Son would redeem this broken world. Genesis 3:15.
Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Our season of hopelessness would dawn upon a new creation.
Some 2100 years later God chose a family (Abraham and Sarah) that would bring this promised son into the world. One thousand years later a King by the name of David was promised that his seed would reign on David’s thrown forever. 1 Samuel 13:14.
1 Samuel 13:14 (NIV)
14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."
2 Samuel 7:12-13 (NIV)
12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2 Samuel 7:16 (NIV)
16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Centuries of Waiting
It has been said that things must get worse before they can get better. The world was in for a roller coaster ride of excitement and dreariness waiting for God to act. The nation Israel had more spiritual lows than highs during the next 1000 years. The nation had split into two kingdoms. One lost in captivity and forced exile never to return. The other exiled but allowed to return to their homeland but under foreign oppression. The Temple destroyed and a second rebuilt although a mere shadow of its former glory. Through it all the prophets still promised that a Messiah would be born and would rise to rule his kingdom. The prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Eventually the Jewish people through off their foreign rulers and established a new kingdom with shifting levels of independence, only to see in a very short time their rulers and priesthood become corrupt.
Long Anticipated Coming of the Messiah
People were losing hope
Galatians 4:4 (NIV)
4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
Long Awaited Return of the King
Acts 1:11 (NIV)
11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
What hurts, hang ups and issues are hindering your joy this season? Our God has promised that this is to be a time of peace – He continues to whisper to us “Fear not!”
So we wait with anticipation!
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
We long for your return, O Lord!
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