The
Coming King
Revelation
1:5-8
As I post this, it is the first Sunday—the first day—of
Advent, 2019. Not every Christian church
celebrates Advent, but for those who do, today is the first day of the
Christian year, which begins with the preparation for the coming of Jesus
Christ into the world.
On a secular level, the preparation for Christmas has
been going on for weeks. The official
beginning is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when every retailer
tries to get a jump on every other retailer by opening its doors at some
unreasonable hour (I’m a night person) and offering what they advertise as once
in a lifetime sale prices on all the items you and your loved ones must have
for Christmas.
Unfortunately, the official beginning isn’t the beginning
at all. Well before Thanksgiving stores
advertise pre-Black Friday sales with even better prices, while the TV channels
are full of Christmas ads. It amazes me
how many car ads we see, with new cars sitting in snow-covered driveways, huge
bow attached to the roof, as some family member or other jumps up and
down. I wonder…how many people actually
give automobiles as Christmas gifts?
I’ve not met any.
Under the heavy bombardment brought to us by our
capitalist society, we might find it difficult to locate the Christ child. Look closely.
He is there, waiting for us to discover him and welcome him.
In a sense, we’re play-acting during Advent. We’re pretending that the Christ child hasn’t
been born yet, and we’re waiting for his birth.
We know the birth occurred over two thousand years ago, but it means so
much to us—means so much to the world—that we try to experience it again for
the first time, enjoying the anticipation, the buildup of excitement, the
pleasant tension this waiting brings.
But the celebration of Christ’s birth is only part of the
reason for Advent. As pleasant and
thrilling as this is, there is another component which is just as
important. Jesus speaks of it in the
gospels. Paul speaks about it in some of
his letters. Another good source is
Revelation.
Revelation was written to encourage Christians to stand firm
during a period of intense persecution by Rome.
“Don’t give up,” the author says.
“Jesus is coming. We don’t
know when, but we know he is coming. And
when he comes all will be well.
Meanwhile, believe his promises.
They are true.”
Although written specifically to the seven churches in
Asia Minor, Revelation has a much wider application. Read what the Spirit has to say to each of
these churches (chapters 2-3), and see how much is applicable to today’s congregations.
Even before these chapters, the writer speaks directly to
us. He tells us Jesus loves us and has
freed us from sin. He tells us we have
been given a kingdom and made priests in that kingdom. He tells us glory and dominion should be
given to Jesus, not just now, but “forever and ever. Amen.”
And then comes the second reason for Advent. Jesus will return, and every eye will see
him. There will be no way to miss him,
no way to avoid him. Matthew 25:31-46
speaks of the final judgment which will occur when Jesus returns. We are told all the nations of the world will
appear before him, and he will reveal to each person the reward or punishment
that awaits. No exceptions; we will all stand
before Jesus, the righteous judge.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” Jesus says, “who is and
who was and is to come…” Our response is
found at the end of Revelation (22:20).
“Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus!”
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