The Second Advent
Open Your Bible
Acts 1:7-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:6-16
BY Beth Joseph
Section 4: Waiting for the Light
This story didn’t begin with a baby in a manger, and it doesn’t end there either. Light isn’t diminished when we put away the Christmas tree and blow out the last Advent candle. Christmas Day is a celebration of the start of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, His ministry, death, and resurrection, and the new life He invites us to enjoy. His work in driving out darkness and making all things new is both already accomplished on the cross and still ongoing.
Until Jesus Christ returns, we share in His work as people of the light, eagerly awaiting that promised day.
While we just finished celebrating the Advent season a few days ago, today’s reading reminds us that we are people waiting between two advents—the advent of Jesus’s miraculous birth and the advent of His promised return one day.
Historically, the celebration of the Advent season was more than just a time of rejoicing over Jesus’s birth. Advent, in its earliest days, was a season of quiet examination and repentance. It was a time to slow down, spend time in prayer and fasting, and prepare your heart for the second coming of Christ. Centuries ago, Advent was also the time when believers would ready themselves for baptism. Not until later centuries did the Church also start primarily celebrating Jesus’s birth during the Advent season.
Today, our readings draw our attention to this second advent. In Acts 1, we find Jesus giving His disciples some final instructions before His ascension. His instructions come with a promise that the Holy Spirit will equip them for the work ahead (Acts 1:8). After His ascent, the disciples are told that one day Jesus will return “in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (v.11).
It is interesting to reflect on the second coming of Christ and also read Acts 1:8 on the same day. Acts 1:8 shows us that one way we prepare our hearts for His return is spreading the news of His future return in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. And because we do not know the timing of His return, we eagerly share the joy of the first advent and tell others of His second still to come for as long as we wait.
Today’s reading also is an encouragement to our often weary souls. Remembering that one day “we will always be with the Lord” should bring true joy and hope (1Thessalonians 4:17). No more separation from our God—what a thing to look forward to! Don’t forget this joyous news as you pack away your holiday decorations. As we wait for the second advent, let’s continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior and intentionally prepare our hearts for His second coming year round.
59 thoughts on "The Second Advent"
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We will be studying revelation at my church in January, and I can’t wait!
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❤️
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Adding to my previous comment about the new things I’ve learned, I forgot about the books that SRT puts out and all the extras in them.
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WOW!! WOW!! One thing I really appreciate about She Reads Truth is the vast knowledge I gain each and every day, from the devotionals and from the comments. Also, there have been times because of either the devotional or a comment I’ve gone out on my own and looked something up. I just love learning all this new knowledge — and yes I make note of it in one way or another to refer back to.
Sisters be blessed and continue spreading the advent message. -
Today Lizzy said… “Everything has happened & will happen because God cannot imagine spending eternity without you”. Awesome & Accurate & Attentive. Please, fear not. No need to apologize. Your sentiment neither, “pretentious “ nor “unsympathetic”. God hears you. God knows your heart. No matter the situation. Our God is trustworthy & true & timeless. As Tina said…”Lean in, lean on, rest, hold fast, believe, trust, and Hope in Him…Who came to live with us.” A salve for our weary souls. Thanks be to God.
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TRACI GENDRON, I am so sorry to hear all you have been dealing with. I am praying that the Lord gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding. If it is any help, I have had some very difficult and unexpected things to deal with in the past two years, and one of the things that helped me through was reminding myself that even though these things shocked me, God knew they were coming and has a plan to use them for my good. Sending you hugs.
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Amen, Katie! God is so faithful!
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I love that story where is hope? Thank you Beth for sharing. Angie- I’m so glad someone else has shared how those family Christmas cards make them feel. I love that people think of me enough to send us them, but this year even though we are expecting our first child the many perfect pictures of young families with their babies (I’m 35 and most of my friends are in their late 20s/ 30s) made me so sad, remembering the child that was due on December 10th that we lost. Sometimes I wish people would send pictures of their everyday lives, not the dressed up “perfect” pictures sent out at Christmas. Thank you for being honest about your feelings. I am praying for you and your family. Everyday I have to work out with God how bad things can happen when He is so good and it’s been good for me and my faith. Before the miscarriage I just threw my hands up and decided to thank God we were doing ok. After I was forced to get to know Him and understand more how He really could be good and allow innocent children to die and all the other evils we see in this world. Still working on that daily but I am left with a deeper understanding of Him than I ever had before. Lizzy thanks for your post as well. Traci, I am still praying for your peace. Has anyone heard from GramsieSue? Haven’t seen her around for a bit. Praying that she is ok too. SarahD praying for you as well. Thank you to all who prayed for me and the baby around the time of my booster shot on Monday, we are both doing well by God’s grace !
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