As per my article last week, we are in a four-week Advent season leading up to Christmas, a period dedicated to reflective preparation for the coming of Christ to reconcile humanity and all of creation to Himself. However, Advent (which is derived from the Latin word, adventus, which means coming) is very much about Jesus’ second coming as well.
Michael Frost writes, “The First Advent inaugurates…reconciliation, a process in which we now participate. And the Second Advent signals its consummation, something we anticipate. Participation and anticipation are the key practices of Advent”.
Our Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul were very clear in reminding us in Matthew 26:29 and 1 Corinthians 11:26, that when we celebrate Communion, we proclaim a past event (his death on the cross) and a future event (his coming). The sure and certain hope we have of his coming is more than an addendum to the gospel message we proclaim.
It begs the question then, doesn’t it, as to why the anticipation of his second coming is important?
There are many reasons but the one that jumps out at me is that it provides much needed hope, especially in time of suffering. How so? When Jesus returns the second time, the kingdom of God (it simply means the place where God rules and reigns) which was inaugurated when he came the first time, will be consummated.
It means creation will be restored to its original intention. In the new heaven and new earth, the old order of things which includes pain, suffering and sickness will pass away. Tears, terror, hopelessness, mourning and death will be a thing of the past. It means God will right all wrongs and injustice. He will judge mercifully, righteously and justly, without any impartiality. The wicked will pay. The righteous will be vindicated.
In short, as Cornelius Plantinga said, “The return of Christ is good news for people whose lives are filled with bad news”.
Brothers and sisters, if you are facing a bleak, painful, lonely Christmas, if you’re suffering from physical or emotional pain that has no immediate cause, fix or due to gross injustice, then in this Advent, Jesus is saying to you, “Lift up your eyes! All of your pain and sorrow will end. Hold on for I will soon return!”.
Christ in us the hope of glory!
Mark Ng
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