Discovering Grace Weekly #3

Dear Friends,

I am so glad we have come into the Christmas season. Despite all that is still swirling madly around us, I sense that magical lightheartedness that usually accompanies Christmas time. This season is different for me, though. Like so many in the Christian community, I feel in my heart the sensing of another Advent nearing.

What is such a comfort to me is the well documented fact that the Scriptures prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and He came, as promised … wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” - Luke 2:11-12 KJV

This is the reason that for centuries, men, women, and children of all ages have gathered together in every part of the world to celebrate Christmas. But while I am always excited to celebrate our Savior’s first coming, I am becoming more anticipatory for His next Advent. All the signs seem to be revealing that it may be nearer than it has ever been in past generations. Let’s look more closely at the context of this week’s Scripture verse.

“After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him.

As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!” - Acts 1:9-11 NLT

This passage of Scripture tells us that Jesus is coming again and that those who believe in Him will see Him return the same way He was received into heaven. He’ll be coming back in the clouds! Yet in this Advent, He will be taking His church, the believing ones, with Him. You may have heard this blessed event referred to as the Rapture (or the snatching away!) This is how magnificently He will come for His Church…

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

So encourage each other with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NLT

Friends, we are called to encourage one another with these words. So this week and throughout this Christmas season, I will be encouraging you that just as surely as Jesus came the first time, was born, crucified for our sins, and was raised back to life for our justification, He is surely coming again to take those who have believed upon Him to His Eternal Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s also celebrate that He is going to return and take us all home.

If you are learning this truth of Scripture for the first time and you want to be certain you will be joining this incredible host of people ascending to Jesus in the clouds when the shout of Jesus cracks open the sky and the trumpet of God sounds, I want to encourage you to read our article Get Saved Now… Ask Questions Later. Becoming a member of this great company of believers in Christ Jesus is easier than you might think. There really is nothing holding you back from the grace of God other than your willing consent to be loved and saved.

What is coming on this earth in these last of the last days is prophesied and unavoidable, and many feel that the “perilous times” of 2 Timothy 3 is definitely upon us, but be comforted by this parting Scripture this week and be sure to continue meeting together with your brother’s and sister’s in the Lord and encourage one another as we see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:35)

“For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].

Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 AMP

written by

Eileen R. Jacobs (December 2020)

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