"… ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." - Luke 21:30-31
It may not be Springtime or Summer. It is Advent on the calendar that we use today and we are approaching winter. Be that as it is, we are looking at a spiritual springtime on this first Sunday o Advent as we jump ahead from the preparation for Christ's birth to the anticipation of His second coming.
Springtime is a precursor of summer. Each flower and each bud encourage us to wait a little longer.
Vacation is coming. Soon there will be picnics and trips to the coast, long days by the pool, lazy nights on a hammock, and all the wonderful t in the spring and summer. Tastes and smells of summer tantalize the nostrils even as fresh Christmas baking and evergreens fill the air.
At least that is the summer of our dreams and the Christmas of our dreams.
We don't think about slick roads with our Currier and Ives Christmas memories.
We don’t think about mosquitoes and perspiration, stepping on bees and humidity. Did someone forget to tell the boss that summertime is one long vacation? Maybe this is a good time for a reality check.
Maybe it isn’t. Maybe this is a time better spent experiencing the swelling excitement of winter snows, of emerging spring and of far off anticipation of summer fantasies inasmuch as they remind us of a far more fulfilling and assured blessed hope.
Jesus used the illustration of budding spring to remind us of our future hope. It is the hope of the redemption of the whole earth, and endless summer with no humidity and no parasites. It is the hope of the end of evil and the reign of righteousness. It is the hope of His coming and His coming Kingdom of peace.
The lion will lie down with the lamb.
Swords will be beaten into plowshares.
We will sing a new song.
No eye has seen what God has prepared. Nor ear has heard it. No tongue has confessed it. The Kingdom of God is nigh at hand and we have no concept of how wonderful it is going to be. This is our blessed hope, beloved. Let the excitement build; let the chimes ring; let every voice be lifted up in praise to Him.
He comes in glory! He comes to reign! Hallelujah!
The King is coming!
