The season of Advent has passed, and we have rejoiced and celebrated His first arrival. When Immanuel God came to be with us in the form of a tiny baby in a manger, we rejoiced with the shepherds who came to celebrate His birth with praise to God. We rejoiced with the wise men who knelt in worship, presenting Him with expensive gifts fit for a King.
With His first arrival, Jesus fulfilled many prophecies. And He continued to live out prophecy after prophecy like that of Zechariah’s.
When Jesus rode on a donkey into the city of Jerusalem, His disciples didn’t know as they praised their King, saying,
…that they were having an early celebration of Jesus triumphant victory over death at the cross and that this moment, with Him astride the donkey, was Jesus “adventus” the way the ancient Romans would have used this word. This moment was Jesus glorious entry into the city of Jerusalem.
With His first arrival, Jesus defeated the power of hell and gave us reason to rejoice.
Jesus will arrive, once again. With His second triumphant, glorious entry the heavens will open up and He will come riding on a white horse. He will be called Faithful and True, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and rule over the nations of the world.
While we wait in this in between time of His first and second arrival, He keeps our minds and hearts in perfect PEACE as we continue to trust in Him and His promises.
We wait for His second arrival, rejoicing in the HOPE and glory of God, because we have obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand.
We wait for His second arrival, rejoicing with inexpressible and glorious JOY, knowing that we are going to receive the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
We wait, with Immanuel God abiding within us and His LOVE perfected in us.
As we close this Advent season, I pray that we will spend our lives rejoicing in all that Christ has done for us until the heavens open and our King of Kings comes riding on a white horse. May we remain in PEACE, HOPE, JOY and LOVE until that day we will rejoice anew as our voices join with the multitude,
* Take time to read these scriptures today:
Philippians 4:4-5 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Luke 19:35-38 – Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the cold, they helped Jesus get on it. As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!
Zephaniah 3:14-15 – Sing for joy, Daughter of Zion; should loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.
Revelation 19: 11 & 15-16 – Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war with justice…A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
Romans 5:2 – We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
1 Peter 1:8-9 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 John 4:12 – No one has ever seen God. If we love on another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.
Revelation 19:6-7 – Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself.
* Think About It:
Let us rejoice! The King of Kings, our Lord of Lords has arrived! And with His arrival He gave us HOPE, surrounded us with His PEACE, filled us with His JOY, and firmly established us in His extravagant LOVE! In your journal write down what causes you to rejoice about Jesus first arrival, and what helps you to continue rejoicing while you wait for His second arrival.
Blessings to you and Happy New Year!
THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN TO BE HAPPY AND ENJOY OURSELVES 