A Prophetic Word: Joy to the World the Lord is Coming! (Rev. 22: 12).
Joy to the world the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Unlike the lyrics of this hymn, the world did not receive its Savior and King. Instead of numerous celebrations in Bethlehem and beyond, children were slaughtered, parents grieved, and Jesus had to flee. No joy!
The environment of the 21st century is similar. Our community, painfully, endures violence against our youth, increased taxes, required censors, lack of housing, inequality, corruption in high places, and political unrest. It can be challenging to not become anxious in this season of the unexpected. There are increased earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flash fires, wars and rumors of wars, poverty, moral deprivation, uncurable diseases, sickness, and unprecedented number of deaths. However, as the redeemed, we must not waver in our faith, but trust God to remain faithful to His word to never leave us or forsake us. In trusting God, in the midst of the process, we will be able to abide in His promised perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3-4). To do so, we must remember that God has a master plan regardless of our human errors.
The Bible makes clear that we know in part and “see things imperfectly,” but one day we will understand and “see everything with perfect clarity” (I Cor. 13:12 NLT). For now, it suffices to know that the Son of God entered this world out of love and obedience to God the Father. He became the propitiation for our sins to save and redeem. Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is the bridge between a holy God, and this unregenerated world. He was fully human and fully divine. The Son of God was misunderstood by religious leaders, accused, abused, rejected, and died an unworthy death. However, God raised Christ (Rom. 8:11). What a great joy for Him and for us. Now, Christ sits at the right hand of the Father making intercessions on our behalf (Rom. 8:34). Our redeemer will do so, until He returns.
Christ will return in His full power and glory, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will descend from heaven with the loud majestic command of God. All the world will witness this triumphant entry. Those who have died in Christ will join this heavenly host enclosed in their perfected and eternal bodies (I Cor. 15:51). Now, we who have remained alive will join them in the sky (I Thess. 4:17). Hallelujah! On this anticipated day, the world will know our conquering King, as they hear the redeemed cry out with great joy: “Glory to God in the highest. The Lord has come!” Keep your eyes on God and the great harvest vs. the havoc. (Matt. 9:37-38)
To Comfort You in This Season: Isa. 41:10, 43:1-2, 54:17; Psalm 34:1-8,19, 55:22, 121:1-8; 2 Cor. 4:8-10,16-18; Heb. 13:5, Rev. 22:12
Dianthia Y. Gilmore, Christian Writer/Counselor
12.19.21 Revised