A Word from God's Word

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given”. Isaiah 9:6a

This past Sunday, Fellowship Baptist Church–along with many other churches in Cranbrook and across the globe–began the season of Advent leading up to Christmas. Advent looks back to Christ’s first coming to bring salvation, but it also looks ahead in anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming in glory. A part of the Advent celebration is the lighting of a candle each week, and although the ordering and naming of the candles may vary from church to church, many would have lit the “Hope Candle” or “Prophecy Candle” this past Sunday.

The Hope Candle reminds us of the expectation of Old Testament Israel as they looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Countless Old Testament texts speak prophetically of Christ. His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14). His birthplace in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He would be in the line of King David (Jeremiah 23:5,6). Herod’s jealous massacre of baby boys (Jeremiah 31:15). After the resultant flight of Mary and Joseph with Jesus, He is “called out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1). And on and on and on… 

But again, Advent also directs us to Christ’s Second Coming, concerning which there are also many prophecies. One such prophetic word is that ultimately “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10). Blessed is the one whose knee is not forced to the ground at His return but rather does so willingly and in adoration even now.

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".