First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13: 24 to the end – Barry Wild
Advent means the announcement of the coming of Christ, discount viagra it is very rarely a word that is used in another context, our scripture reading is alerting us about the second coming of Christ promised. There are different methods of delivering news and particularly today with the many alternatives, good news can be shouted out quite openly, however, bad news has to be delivered more thoughtfully and respectably to the recipient.
The announcement of the first coming of Christ was made by the angel Gabriel to Mary and also at the birth to the shepherds in the fields, it was great news and was heralded joyfully and received with great joy. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord’s coming and at the Baptism of Jesus he announces that ‘here comes the one who’s sandals I am not worthy to loose’, at that event a voice from heaven was heard which confirmed the Son of God.
It is important to recognize that the first coming was good news of great joy announcing peace and goodwill towards mankind, the second coming of Christ is much different, it is about judgement, it is about separating the sheep from the goats. The first coming about grace and mercy and being cleansed from sin and guilt, the second coming is the finality of that amnesty and Gods recognition of His true family, the ones found to be walking in the way after Christ, people who worship the King of Kings with their lives looking in faith to be welcomed with the words ‘well done good and faithful servant, enter into the Fathers joy for eternity’.
There are many ‘apocalyptic’ films around these days and the simulations of Biblical devastations leave us in no doubt that nature can be very cruel, earthquakes and floods, tsunami’s, volcanic eruptions, asteroid collisions, they are all within our understanding of possibilities. Our scripture points to many signs which we need to be aware of as a warning, that time is running out for those who ignore the need to turn from selfishness, greed and all that is evil in our world. No one knows the exact time when Christ will return in power and glory but we must be aware of the events in our world and when that day or night comes, ‘Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord’.
Those who know scripture know that the final victory belongs to the Lord, the evil one of our world and his fallen angels will be fatally defeated for eternity. Which side are you serving at the moment ? there can be no sitting on the fence, make your commitment to Christ known now. Amen.