Advent Day 6 - Return of the King

Here we are in the middle of yet another political season. Presidential candidates are making grand promises. And the promises must be grand because that is what gets our attention. If you distill the message of any politician to its core essence (on the right or left), they are selling one thing -- hope. In fact, "Hope and Change" was the slogan of one presidential candidate. But after two terms as president, he left the world much as he found it.

The aim of any politician is to convince us that they alone can accomplish the sweeping reforms that are needed to change our lives forever for the better. But they all fail to deliver their most grand ambitions. Then we go through the same cycle all over again. There is a new candidate, the arenas fill up with enthusiastic supporters, grand speeches are given, promises are made, and the crowds cheer. No doubt they are convinced that this time things will be different. It brings to mind Lucy and the football. But why do we keep hoping? Because deep down, we long for a champion to come and set things right.

I don't mean to imply that elections are meaningless. They do have consequences and they have their place. But man and government consistently collide with what they can never do; deliver the utopia they promise. As Charles Spurgeon said, "Even the best of men are men at best."

How long has this cycle been going on? For millennia. For example, let's consider what King Solomon wrote roughly 3,000 years ago:

Ecclesiastes 1:9–10 (NLT) — 9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NLT) — 1 Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.

Ecclesiastes 5:8–9 (NLT) — 8 Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. 9 Even the king milks the land for his own profit!

If you read further about the kings of the Old Testament, you will read about failure, after failure, after failure. So what does all of this mean for those disillusioned with business as usual? It means that we need to relocate our ultimate hope somewhere else, in Someone else. For God's people, that sweet longing has found its rest in Christ.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

John 14:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also...”

As we joyfully reflect on the First Advent (coming) of Christ, and all that means. We also look forward in joyful anticipation to the Second Advent of Christ when He physically returns to put all things right and establish His kingdom on earth. That is the cry and longing of the believer's heart - the return of their true King.

Revelation 21:2–5 (NKJV) — 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Revelation 22:20–21 (NKJV) — 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

[Verse One]
Come Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From my fears and sins, release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

[Verse Two]
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the Earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

[Chorus]
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring

[Verse Three]
By Thine own eternal spirit
Ruling all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne