ADVENT 2015: Thy Kingdom Come… Meeting Y’eshua Face to Face

Advent began yesterday, Sunday November 29 and I had some thoughts….

We frequently pray for God’s Kingdom to come; “Yes, Come Lord Jesus, Messiah, Come…” as we should. But it is odd that if this is our desire, our call, our hope, why do we struggle with actually living out these words every day moment-by-moment. How do we focus our hearts and minds on the coming of Lord Jesus, Y’eshua, Isa al Masih? The inevitability of His return is certain. Do we live expectantly? Do our daily choices demonstrate the hope and belief in Christ’s return?
Most likely not. We are not ready to meet Christ. We do not live an Advent life, nor if truth be known, might we even be frightened to meet our loving Y’eshua face to face? Not ready. So how can we change?
In church yesterday last, we were reminded that it was the first day of Advent and we celebrate Hope. There is much tragedy, pain, abounding selfishness, greed, hate, and wars upon wars in the world. How is hope relative to this?
The hope created by and in Y’eshua’s first coming has changed us and given a glimpse of what it will be like living in a perfect world. Y’eshua, God in flesh, came to earth to live and die and live again to bring this hope. He being God, knew no sin or evil became sin by taking ours on Himself while on the cross. This is the reason we have hope. Yes, good and bad times will fall on all people. We all can count on storms and trials in which we will suffer greatly. And yet, the difference between a Follower of Y’eshua, a disciple of Isa al Masih and a non-Follower is that Messiah forgives when we repent and then promises to walk with us through the hard times as well as spend eternity with Him. Hope for living today and Hope for tomorrow.
Mat 28:19-20 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”
Matt 28:20b And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

So, what are we missing here…? If Y’eshua is our salvation and He completed the work of making us right before God by being our sacrifice, which He did and He was, why are we still not ready? We are not ready because we do not live His mission of bringing others back to Himself, to God. Our job is to point people to Him and intercede on their behalf. This is the way to live out His return.

In the book of Revelation, God tells us that when Y’eshua does return there will be a great multitude of people standing before His throne. We must share this promise with others. We must invite them to the celebration so they can be blessed and reunited with God.

Rev 7:9-11; 16-17 I beheld a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ, show us how to live expectantly, awaiting your return. Teach us to pursue you, as you pursued us. Write Your words of life on our hearts and lives so that we can share them with others, so Your Kingdom will come.