The Manger & The Throne

Today's Word Of Encouragement From Wayne:

Christmas!

This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  Mostly, we think about the manger in Bethlehem, the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, the proclamation of the angels and, of course, the visit of the magi.

But do you ever think about why all this happened?  What was the meaning of these things?  Surely these are important events, for they inaugurated Jesus' life among men, but what about the end, or goal of His life?  Why did He come to us?  And where are we going, once we have come to Him?

In light of these questions, I'd like to share some passages with you from the book of Revelation.  As you read these verses, I ask you to consider them within the context of the meaning, and fulfillment, of Christmas.

"And I saw heaven opened; and behold,

a white horse,

and He who sat upon it is called

Faithful and True.

His eyes are a flame of fire,

and upon His head are many diadems.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood;

and His name is called

THE WORD OF GOD.

On His robe and on His thigh

He has a name written,

'KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS."

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying

'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men,

and He shall dwell among them,

and they shall be His people,

and God Himself shall be among them,

and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes;

and there shall no longer be any death;

there shall no longer be any mourning,

or crying,

or pain.'

And He said to me,

'It is done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the Beginning and the End.

I will give to the one who thirsts

from the spring of the water of life without cost.

I will be his God

and he will be My Son.'"

(Rev. 19:11-13 & 16, Ch. 21:3-7)

We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.  Usually our thoughts are confined to only the time and place of His coming into our world.  But the WHEN and WHERE of Christmas is really incomplete if we are not, at the same time, considering the WHY of Christmas.

This passage from Revelation gives us an exciting glimpse into the future, to the day when God's ultimate purpose in us will finally be fulfilled.  We know, as the Scripture says, that "God so loved the world that He gave (us) His only begotten Son."  But in these verses from Revelation we see the culmination of this great love.'              

Here is WHY God sent His Son.  Jesus Came forth, born of the virgin in Bethlehem, just as the Scriptures foretold (Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2).  He lived among us, as one of us, revealing the very heart of God to us, so that we too might truly live.  At Calvary Jesus laid His life down on our behalf, giving us His divine love in exchange for our sin and darkness.  On that glorious third day He burst forth from the tomb in resurrection power.  And, ultimately, He ascended back to God, bringing with Him a host of future sons and daughters.

This is the true message, the full message, of Christmas.  The Gospel, which means "good news", is that through our reception of Christ, through our allowing Him to be born within our hearts, we become the children of God!  As sure as the birth of Jesus is, equally sure is that coming day, the day of our ascension and full realization of "Immanuel - God with us."

The day is coming.

We will shed the outer skin of this constricting world in which we live.  We too will burst forth from our tombs and stand in the radiance of His glory, face to face with the One Eternal living God.  All tears, sorrows, trials, and pains will be washed away in an instant as we behold His glory; the glory of our God Who was born in Bethlehem so we might be born into this moment.

He came forth in the manger so that we might come forth at His throne.

The merriest of Christmases is experienced when this truth is realized, and personalized, within a thankful heart.  God's Christmas gift to you is His Son, Jesus.  This year celebrate the manger...and the throne.  Remember Jesus, the baby in Bethlehem.  And remember Jesus, the King, who awaits with eager anticipation His birth anew in our hearts. 

"For a child will be born to us,

a Son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called -

Wonderful

Counselor

Mighty God

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Hallelujah!