Hopes and Fears: A Tale of 2 Kingdoms
In the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, we find the phrase, “The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.” I want to propose and explain how that was only partly true at Christ birth, but will be completely fulfilled at His glorious return or 2nd coming!
After the fall of Adam, the human race was born in sin and needed redemption. Throughout the O.T. animal sacrifices were made as payments, but Christ in His 1st coming became the final and perfect payment for sin.
This is so well explained in Hebrews chapter 9. Hence, we have a need to be saved and can be. At salvation we become part of God’s spiritual kingdom. This is for all and any that repent of their sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3 calls it being born-again, and in Luke 17:20-21 Jesus explained that the Kingdom of God is within you. Being completely forgiven and knowing you are right with God and part of His spiritual kingdom satisfies so many “hopes and fears.”
The scriptures actually have more to say about Christ’ 2nd coming than it does about His first. Before Christ returns to this earth the second time, we learn that there will be wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes according to Matthew 24, or read Revelation. Also, there will be a falling away, 2 Thessalonians 2, and 2 Timothy says evil men shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Peter 2 talks of riots in the day time, how there is the promise of liberty by servants of corruption. The rapture will take place, followed by the 7 years of great tribulation with the anti-christ, then will Christ return to earth to establish His earthly, physical kingdom. This will be the complete fulfillment of satisfying the “hopes and fears” that we are facing today. When He does return, He should find us watching, and being about our Father’s business.
Isaiah 9:6-7, well know Christmas verses prophetically has this to say, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. As much as I look forward to the Christmas season, I more so look forward to His soon return!
After the fall of Adam, the human race was born in sin and needed redemption. Throughout the O.T. animal sacrifices were made as payments, but Christ in His 1st coming became the final and perfect payment for sin.
This is so well explained in Hebrews chapter 9. Hence, we have a need to be saved and can be. At salvation we become part of God’s spiritual kingdom. This is for all and any that repent of their sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3 calls it being born-again, and in Luke 17:20-21 Jesus explained that the Kingdom of God is within you. Being completely forgiven and knowing you are right with God and part of His spiritual kingdom satisfies so many “hopes and fears.”
The scriptures actually have more to say about Christ’ 2nd coming than it does about His first. Before Christ returns to this earth the second time, we learn that there will be wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes according to Matthew 24, or read Revelation. Also, there will be a falling away, 2 Thessalonians 2, and 2 Timothy says evil men shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Peter 2 talks of riots in the day time, how there is the promise of liberty by servants of corruption. The rapture will take place, followed by the 7 years of great tribulation with the anti-christ, then will Christ return to earth to establish His earthly, physical kingdom. This will be the complete fulfillment of satisfying the “hopes and fears” that we are facing today. When He does return, He should find us watching, and being about our Father’s business.
Isaiah 9:6-7, well know Christmas verses prophetically has this to say, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. As much as I look forward to the Christmas season, I more so look forward to His soon return!
Pastor Mark Englebert
Door Bible Baptist, Sturgeon Bay
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