From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.[Steve Myers] This is the time of Advent for many Christian churches. Now, if you're awaiting Christmas, this time may come to mind for your church, for your beliefs. But is it something that's Biblical?
It's interesting if you looked up the definition for what is advent and what does it have to do with Christmas? Well, here's one of the definitions. It's a season that's observed in many western Christian churches as a time of expecting, waiting, and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus Christ. Or in other words, it's the time leading up to celebrating Christmas, which is supposed to represent the birth of Christ.
Now what's very interesting about this, if you were to look up the history of advent, you would find that it really stems from a pagan celebration. It stems from the Roman Saturnalia. And it was a time that the Catholic Church modified the Saturnalia in order to point to Christ rather than the pagan practices that it did. And so western churches celebrate it today to hopefully remind them that Christ's nativity is coming - that first coming of Christ.
And yet you look in your Bible, where does it tell you to celebrate this? Well, you won't find the lighting of candles that happens at Advent, you won't find the Advent wreaths or things like that mentioned in the Bible at all. In fact, what the Bible points to is the second coming of Christ. Yes, Christ came in the flesh. He suffered as a servant. He died as our Savior to pay for the penalty of our sins. Now, you know what the Bible points to? It points to the second coming of Christ. There's an amazing passage that's in Revelation chapter 11 and in verse 15 it points to the time when Christ will come again, to His second advent. And here's what it says about that angel sounding that trumpet to announce that second coming. It says, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever."
That's Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
See All.... That points to, to not some baby in a manger, but that points to the powerful coming of the Savior of the universe taking over the kingdoms of men and establishing the Kingdom of God. That's not about wreaths. That's not about candles. That's about a governing King that's going to rule this earth. That's a coming to look forward to. That's the second coming of Jesus Christ. So that's what we should be looking forward to. That's a time to remember and look forward to and certainly to make ourselves ready. The end of the whole thing in Revelation 22:20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
See All..., here's what it says, "He who testifies to these things," Christ says, "Surely I am coming quickly." That's that same word for advent, the perusa, the second coming of Christ. So let's be ready for that coming and look forward to the second advent of Christ.
That's BT Daily . We'll see you next time.
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