December 2009 - English

Luke 2:25 ... there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel … 38 And [Anna] … spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

In these two short extracts from the Christmas story, both Anna and Simeon are described as waiting for the coming of Jesus. Neither probably knew how His life would turn out, nor that the nation, once so successful and now broken and subdued, would ultimately reject Him. It is unlikely, because of their age, that either lived to see the events that unfolded 33 years later. But both were expecting someone, because God had promised this, and God is always faithful to His promises.

And the scene has not changed today; many are waiting for the Lord to come again as He promised. Not this time as a servant who would die so ignominiously on a cross, but as a triumphal King to judge the world, to bring this era to and end and to usher in His eternal Kingdom of holiness and righteousness.. Are you amongst those that ... eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:7)

But between the time of the Lord’s first coming and His second coming there is the wonderful proclamation of His saving power. … now is the day of salvation.(2 Cor 6:2b) So far, this time has lasted nearly 2,000 years, but what is that compared to eternity? Now is the time to claim His salvation, both initially and continually in our lives, so that we can look forward to His triumphal return with confidence and share in the wonderful marriage feast of the Lamb.