2017年アドベン、ニューイングランドの母校からメッセージ その23 日目2017 Gordon-Conwell Advent Devotional Day 23 | He is Coming Revelation 22:20

2017年アドベン、ニューイングランドの母校からメッセージ　その23
日目2017 Gordon-Conwell Advent Devotional
Day 23 | He is Coming
Revelation 22:20

Jesus has come. He was born in Bethlehem as Mary’s son, conceived by God’s Spirit, with Joseph as his earthly father. He grew up in Nazareth and then lived in Capernaum and proclaimed the Kingdom of God throughout Galilee. He died in Jerusalem on the afternoon of Nisan 14, April 7, ad 30, a Friday. He rose from the dead on the following Sunday. He ascended to Heaven 40 days later. Jesus will come again. He promised: I am coming.

This coming is certain: Yes, I am coming. Jesus guarantees that he will come again. The specific date of this coming is unknown. Jesus promises: Yes, I am coming soon. Jesus comes soon to local churches in judgment and blessing (Rev 2:16; 3:11). He comes soon in the judgments on the world and the believers’ confrontation with evil that John’s visions describe (Rev 22:6). And he comes soon in his second visible coming when he brings the final defeat of evil and the full redemption of his people.

Jesus will come soon, “like a thief,” (Rev 16:15), suddenly and unexpec-tedly. He will come to lead his people to springs of living water and to wipe away every tear from their eyes as death, mourning, crying and pain disappear in God’s new world (Rev 7:16; 21:4).

On Christmas Day, followers of Jesus rejoice in Jesus’ first coming in the little town of Bethlehem. On Christmas Day, and on all days, we pray marana tha (1 Cor 16:22), come, Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20);on the world stage, everywhere, wherever we live.

Dr. Eckhard J. Schnabel
Mary French Rockefeller Distinguished
Professor of New Testament