THURSDAY 17th
Over the next few days, I will spend some time looking at some verses in relation to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ regarding his first advent. Then from December 28th we will return to continue with the book of Colossians.
For today we will review three of the Scriptures in the Old Testament that foretell of his coming, then over the next few days go deeper into them.
Isaiah 7:14 – ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’
Isaiah 9:6-7 – ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.’
Micah 5:2 – ‘But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old from ancient days.’
We also have a verse in Genesis 3:15 which is considered to be the first hint or suggestion of one who would come to defeat sin and Satan, this is finally revealed and confirmed through the further revelation of Scripture. (‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’)
There is also the promise given to Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the world would be blessed, (Genesis 12:2-3 ‘And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’) the seed referring to the Lord Jesus Christ and the fulfilment is now being realised through the preaching of and the reception of the good news of the gospel around the globe, with millions over the years responded to the message of the cross, and the ultimate fulfilment will be in heaven, which John has already had a preview of and recorded for us in Revelation 5:9-10 ‘And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’
Many of the Old Testament verses that foretell of the coming Saviour, Messiah are to do with his redemptive work such as Isaiah 53, we will not include these verses.
As we are already into the run up to the celebrations of this first advent, may we keep our hearts and minds focused on what really matters, yes, enjoy the fun, the festivities, the family (although limited in being together) and food, but more importantly remember it is all about the faithfulness in God toward fallen humanity, bringing into fruition his plan of redemption.
Over the next 10 days I will add a carol to the end of the devotions.
Today will be a carol of expectation.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Adonai, Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.