“EXPECTATION: JESUS WILL RETURN”
(First in Advent Series: “Prepare The Way)
Jeremiah 33:15-16, Luke 21:25-36, I Thessalonians 5:1-6
INTRODUCTION: The stage is set.
You can hear the rumblings behind the curtain.
You purchased the tickets for the new production of "My Fair Lady," as soon as they went on sale. You loved the music in first Broadway version, enjoyed the movie. You have high expectations for this version performed in Austin.
One way of looking at the events occurring in our world today is fear. Do you remember 2011?
I received five e-mail letters and several phone calls when the movie 2012 was released. The premise was that the Mayan Calendar which begins before the first advent of Jesus some 2023 years ago would end on December 21, 2012. It would be the end of the world as we know it.
Meteors hit the most sacred places of worship around the world:
The Vatican, The Hindu Temples, The Notre Dame etc. Interestingly enough, none of the Muslim sites were hit. The oceans roar and toss flooding all the major cities along the coast. Typhoon, Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, etc. resulting in destruction and panic. People who had seen the movie were asked: “What city did you want destroyed?”
What do you think was their first answer? What would be your
answer? “Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Washington D.C.?”
It says something of the anxiety, anguish and perplexity of those and our times.
(Parody: Scenes from 2012 destruction everywhere.)
Expectations were high for 2012 in Great Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II would celebrate her 60th Anniversary of her accession to the Throne and Head of the Commonwealth on February 6, 2012.
The Summer Olympics would begin, in London, on July 27, 2012.
The New Age Movement was saying that 2012 would be a year of transformation and new start. If 2012 were to mark the return of Jesus, it would be too late for change. “It looked like the Christians were right.” The whole world was not flooded. God said:
“Never again will a flood destroy the (whole) earth.” Genesis 9:11.
Will your expectations about "My Fair Lady" be met? How do you even know there are actors behind the curtain? Who are you waiting for?
You can hear the rumblings behind the curtain.
You purchased the tickets for the new production of "My Fair Lady," as soon as they went on sale. You loved the music in first Broadway version, enjoyed the movie. You have high expectations for this version performed in Austin.
One way of looking at the events occurring in our world today is fear. Do you remember 2011?
I received five e-mail letters and several phone calls when the movie 2012 was released. The premise was that the Mayan Calendar which begins before the first advent of Jesus some 2023 years ago would end on December 21, 2012. It would be the end of the world as we know it.
Meteors hit the most sacred places of worship around the world:
The Vatican, The Hindu Temples, The Notre Dame etc. Interestingly enough, none of the Muslim sites were hit. The oceans roar and toss flooding all the major cities along the coast. Typhoon, Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, etc. resulting in destruction and panic. People who had seen the movie were asked: “What city did you want destroyed?”
What do you think was their first answer? What would be your
answer? “Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Washington D.C.?”
It says something of the anxiety, anguish and perplexity of those and our times.
(Parody: Scenes from 2012 destruction everywhere.)
Expectations were high for 2012 in Great Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II would celebrate her 60th Anniversary of her accession to the Throne and Head of the Commonwealth on February 6, 2012.
The Summer Olympics would begin, in London, on July 27, 2012.
The New Age Movement was saying that 2012 would be a year of transformation and new start. If 2012 were to mark the return of Jesus, it would be too late for change. “It looked like the Christians were right.” The whole world was not flooded. God said:
“Never again will a flood destroy the (whole) earth.” Genesis 9:11.
Will your expectations about "My Fair Lady" be met? How do you even know there are actors behind the curtain? Who are you waiting for?
Same questions can be asked of Jesus. Apocalypses, (Greek Word for Revelation) = Opening the Curtain
For Christians, the four Sundays before the birth of Jesus (December 25) are called Advent, which means coming. It is a time of preparation, exploration and hope as we await the coming of Jesus.
Advent is not just looking back to the birth of a baby in Bethlehem,
it is also looking forward to the return of the of Jesus as Lord & King.
For Christians, the four Sundays before the birth of Jesus (December 25) are called Advent, which means coming. It is a time of preparation, exploration and hope as we await the coming of Jesus.
Advent is not just looking back to the birth of a baby in Bethlehem,
it is also looking forward to the return of the of Jesus as Lord & King.
The Advent Wreath, above, one candle is lit each Sunday of Advent until all four are lit. Center white candle is lit on Christmas Eve commemorating the One who said: "I AM The Light of the World."
Scripture Open the Curtain for us: (Scriptures* at end of blog)
“The Messiah will Complete Salvation History.” Jesus Will Return!
The Primary Actor will Show up!
Jeremiah 33:14-16* refers to both the First and Second coming of the Messiah (Hebrew) /Christ (Greek).
Scripture Open the Curtain for us: (Scriptures* at end of blog)
“The Messiah will Complete Salvation History.” Jesus Will Return!
The Primary Actor will Show up!
Jeremiah 33:14-16* refers to both the First and Second coming of the Messiah (Hebrew) /Christ (Greek).
"'Watch for this: The time is coming'—God's Decree—'when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. That's when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety. The motto for the city will be, "God Has Set Things Right for Us." God has made it clear that there will always be a descendant of David ruling the people of Israel and that there will always be Levitical priests on hand to offer burnt offerings, present grain offerings, and carry on the sacrificial worship in my honor.'"
1. Old Testament Prophecy.
Context: Jerusalem lay in ruble.
Israelites were scattered all over the known world.
Offers Hope for the restoration of Jerusalem, which was in rubble.
Three Main Prophesies upon which Israelite Hope Hangs
A. Restoration of the People to the Land.
After 70 years in exile, King Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, told the Jewish captives they could return to their homeland.
- Most exiles had become so accustomed to life in Babylon, today's Iraq, that did not want to return to their country.
- Only a small number set out for Jerusalem to rebuild the city and temple. A task that was difficult and often failed.
- Only through the wise leadership of a few individuals like Ezrah and Nehemiah was the task completed.
The people were back in their Land.
70 AD of which Jesus warned his disciples, resulted in the Israelites being scattered again.
- Persecuted, removed from their land, they dispersed to Russia and Germany, Kristallnacht (night of broken class, November 9-10, 1938, began the arrest of Jews by German Gestapo and taken to Camps leading the horrific killing 6 million Jews, known as the holocaust. After the Second World War Jews wanted to return to their homeland, Israel, where they could be safe.
- The Movie: Exodus - tells the story of the People returning to the Land. 1948 Israel became a Nation.
B. Restoration of the Land to Prosperity.
Land that once had been fertile:
flowing with milk and honey was desolate.
- Cities had been flattened and lay in rubble.
- Land had become swampy and un-inhabitable.
- The desert claimed more and more land.
- Trees cut down and erosion took it toil.
True after Babylonian exile and 70 A.D.
- Today Israel is one of five nations in the world that is not only self-sufficient but exports crops.
- The desert is blooming.
- Trees have been re-planted forming forests.
- Jerusalem continues being re-built using Jerusalem stones and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world
The Land is Prosperous.
C. Restoration of Davidic King.
Under King Cyrus there was a king (puppet) (538 B.C)
- 164 B.C. Judas Maccabees defeated Syrian rulers winning independence for Judah and Jerusalem, commemorated through Hanukkah
- 100 B.C. Julius Caesar, first emperor of Rome was born.
- Rome came crashing into the world and little Judah became, once again, just part of a giant empire.
- 37 B.C. Herod the Great made King of Judah (puppet).
- 70 A.D. Romans destroyed Temple and city hundreds of thousands of people were slain and rest taken captive.
- "Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?"
Fiddler on the Roof. (Tevye) - Leave land for new land.
(Perspective: 374 yrs. between return from Babylonian Captivity to Judas Maccabees. We, the United States of America, are only 247 years old.
2. New Testament Record.
Each of the Gospels has a focus. So do books like I Thessalonians and Hebrews
A. Mark Proclaims the Good News.
Time has come. - Kingdom God ruled by God alone.
- Came to re-claim God’s people, defying earthly power.
- Jesus did not see Rome as an enemy.
He did find ...
1.) Weakness and Illness of people.
2.) Demons gripped people in fear.
3.) Leaders who failed to teach the truth.
B. Matthew Illustrates the fulfilment of Prophecy.
- Bring in Age to Come and New Covenant.
C. Luke Writes of the Person of Jesus Christ.
- The Gospels together tell of the Messiah and the Salvation of History.
- Righteous Branch springing from the dead stump of King David’s line.
Each of the Gospels has a focus. So do books like I Thessalonians and Hebrews
A. Mark Proclaims the Good News.
Time has come. - Kingdom God ruled by God alone.
- Came to re-claim God’s people, defying earthly power.
- Jesus did not see Rome as an enemy.
He did find ...
1.) Weakness and Illness of people.
2.) Demons gripped people in fear.
3.) Leaders who failed to teach the truth.
B. Matthew Illustrates the fulfilment of Prophecy.
- Bring in Age to Come and New Covenant.
C. Luke Writes of the Person of Jesus Christ.
- The Gospels together tell of the Messiah and the Salvation of History.
- Righteous Branch springing from the dead stump of King David’s line.
Luke 21:25-36
25-26"It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
27-28"And then—then! —they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!"
29-33He told them a story. "Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God's kingdom is about here. Don't brush this off: I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
34-36"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."
If we think we are in despair and tired of waiting for Jesus to Return imagine how the Jewish people feel.
- Restored to the Land.
- Land has become prosperous.
- But the Davidic King has not been restored.
- When the Messiah did not come to stop the Holocaust, Some Jews thought the OT. Prophesies must have been symbolic. "We must bring in the Messianic Age" say the Reformed Jews.
3. Words of Jesus Himself.
A. He Would Return.
When Jesus left his followers, he said he would return.
I will come and take you with me... (John 14:3)
"This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven," said by two angels. (Acts 1:11)
They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27)
- That was about 1,990 years ago.
Since that time, Christians like Jews have said:
“Wouldn’t this be a great time for Jesus to return?”
- The disciples and Paul had an urgency in proclaiming the Good News believing that Jesus would return in their lifetime. After Jesus had said: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
- During the early persecution period Christians Hoped Jesus returned...
- With Christians dying, there was a concern they would be left behind.
I Thessalonians 5:1-6 addressed that issue.
- Each period of difficulty and persecution Christians have clung to the Hope of Jesus’ promised return.
5:1-3 Don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4-8But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
25-26"It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
27-28"And then—then! —they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!"
29-33He told them a story. "Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God's kingdom is about here. Don't brush this off: I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
34-36"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."
If we think we are in despair and tired of waiting for Jesus to Return imagine how the Jewish people feel.
- Restored to the Land.
- Land has become prosperous.
- But the Davidic King has not been restored.
- When the Messiah did not come to stop the Holocaust, Some Jews thought the OT. Prophesies must have been symbolic. "We must bring in the Messianic Age" say the Reformed Jews.
3. Words of Jesus Himself.
A. He Would Return.
When Jesus left his followers, he said he would return.
I will come and take you with me... (John 14:3)
"This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven," said by two angels. (Acts 1:11)
They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27)
- That was about 1,990 years ago.
Since that time, Christians like Jews have said:
“Wouldn’t this be a great time for Jesus to return?”
- The disciples and Paul had an urgency in proclaiming the Good News believing that Jesus would return in their lifetime. After Jesus had said: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
- During the early persecution period Christians Hoped Jesus returned...
- With Christians dying, there was a concern they would be left behind.
I Thessalonians 5:1-6 addressed that issue.
- Each period of difficulty and persecution Christians have clung to the Hope of Jesus’ promised return.
5:1-3 Don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4-8But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
B. No one Knows the Time or Date.
- Speculation lead to trying to predict the exact date.
- Not even the Son of Man does not know.
- Didn't happen in 2012. Maybe 2024?
C. Though Heaven and Earth Pass Away, My Words will Never Pass Away. (Luke 21:33)
- My Presence is with you - Holy Spirit.
- Hope that God is in control of history.
CONCLUSION: Stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)
The signs are all around.
- God’s people are in the Land. Land is Prosperous.
- There are Rumors and Wars. (Hamas and Israel back to fighting) *
- There are Earthquakes. Philippines 7,6 magnitude earthquake.
- There is a renewed interest in “End Times.”
- There are people clamoring for solutions to problems.
- There are signs in the universe. is it - 2024?
- There is despair. Growing lack of Hope.
- God’s people are ready for their promised ruler.
- *October 7, 2023, Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas. "It was like a second Holocaust.,"
Hostages were taken captive. As of writing this, 104 hostages have been released by Hamas.
The Good News, The Beauty is, that the King has Come!
Has delivered us from a bondage greater than any Tyrant.
He has given us Hope!
He has promised never to leave or forsake us!
The promise of Jesus’ Return gives us Hope.
Without it there would be nothing but despair, for no person will be able to bring in the Messianic Age.
The Good News, The Beauty is, that the King has Come!
Has delivered us from a bondage greater than any Tyrant.
He has given us Hope!
He has promised never to leave or forsake us!
The promise of Jesus’ Return gives us Hope.
Without it there would be nothing but despair, for no person will be able to bring in the Messianic Age.
The Mayas, Stoics, Hindus and New Age teach that history repeats itself every 3,000 years. God’s Word teaches that God has a purpose, plan and completion for us/world.
What is something for which you are waiting?
How are you spending your time waiting?
The curtain is about to open. Are you ready? That is Advent.
Take a moment to reflect then draw a picture of what that looks like.
(I will post on the Second Sunday of Advent next week.)
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