by Mr. Francis D'Souza
I always thought that Advent was a preparation for Christmas. Recently, however, I learned that Advent is actually a preparation for the second coming of Jesus. The readings of the first three Sundays of Advent confirms this. Its only the fourth Sunday's reading that is in preparation of Christmas ie. the first coming.
A lot of questions are asked when it comes to this topic:
When will it happen? -Where will it happen? -How will it happen?
Many may be the questions but one thing is absolutely sure
'HE IS COMING AGAIN"
How does one know He is coming again:
In the Apostles' Creed we say "He will come again to judge the living and the dead"
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV) (Mt 24:14 is called the key to the second coming of Jesus)
Act 1:10,11: And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (KJV)
Other terms for the second coming:
- End of the world
- Day of the Lord
- Return of the Lord
The any-moment return of Jesus is not for "date-setting' but for "joyful expectation"
In any case any calculation about the Lord's return is a miscalculation refer Acts 1:7 and Mark 13.
To the many who are saying "How long is it taking for the Lord to return its already been over 2000 years?" The answer would be 2Peter 3:8 "A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day to the Lord"
Since the day of the Lord will come unannounced we must be prepared for it at all times
'BE' READY NOT 'GET' READY
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (KJV)
In places where earthquakes are frequent people are always ready with their shoes on and a torch in hand. As electricity is cut off the torch comes handy to find their way around in the darkness and their feet are protected from broken glasses by the shoes.
Set your relationships rights, forgive one another is another way to say you are ready for the any-moment return of the Lord.
To be ready for the last moment we must be ready every moment
Ways to be ready
- Witnessing: The parting words of Jesus in Act 1:8 ".... you shall be my witness....."
The Holy Father in his encyclical Evangeli Nuntiandi tells us every Christian's life must be of such a quality that those who see them must be drawn to the Lord Jesus and in so doing he was directing us to the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22,23 ie Love, Joy, Peace, etc.
- Watching: 1Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (KJV)
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)Watching is associated with working and praying.Charles Spurgeon, when he called on one of his members found her cleaning the floor. When she saw him she said O dear sir I wish I knew you were coming so I could be dressed properly. Spurgeon's words were "Dear friend, you could not be in better trim than you are: you are doing your duty like a good housewife and may God bless you. When the Lord Jesus comes may he find me fulfilling the duty of the hour."
- Walking: 1 John 2:28 - 3:3
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (KJV)
1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (KJV)
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (KJV)
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (KJV)
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (KJV)
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (KJV)
Be like Isaiah (Chapter 6) who saw his unworthiness when he beheld the glory of the Lord.
Let us be wise like those virgins who waited for the bridegroom, also with the W's we saw above - Witnessing, Watching, and Walking and not like people in the following incident:
In America years ago, one came forward who declared that the Lord would come, and he led a great company to believe his crazy predictions. Many took their horses and fodder for two or three days, and went out into the woods, expecting to be all the more likely to see all that was to be seen when once away from the crowded city. All over the state there were people who had made Ascension -dresses in which to soar into the air in proper costumes. They waited and they waited, and I am sure that no text could have been more appropriate for them than this, " Ye men of America, why stand ye here gazing up into heaven?" Nothing came of it; and yet there are thousands in England and America who only need a fanatical leader, and they would run into the like folly. The desire to know the times and seasons is a craze with many poor bodies whose insanity runs in that particular groove. Every occurrence is a "sign of the times" : a sign, I may add, which they do not understand. An earthquake is a special favourite with them. "Now," they cry, "the Lord is coming" : as if there had not been earthquake of the sort we have heard of lately hundreds of times since our Lord went up into heaven.
Let the yearning of our hearts be "Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus" 1Corinthains. 16:22"
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (KJV)
If you are prepared for the second coming you are also prepared for Christmas!!!
When we accept Jesus in our Hearts it is Christmas
HAPPY WITNESSING.