From: December 23, 2023
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me” (Zechariah 4:9 NLT).
Zechariah was given a prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians, but work had stopped on it and the people were discouraged. Yet the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, that just as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation, so just as surely he would complete it. This prophecy was fulfilled during that time.
Yet, as with many biblical prophecies, it also has a future meaning. For Zerubbabel, who was born to the line of David, is a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And the house he rebuilt foreshadows the Church. Jesus was born in the line of David and through His work of salvation, laid the foundation of the Church, becoming its Cornerstone. One day, just as He founded the Church, He will finish it, laying its last spiritual stone into place. For as the book of Hebrews explains, Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus is both Cornerstone and Capstone of the Church, which is His Body, of which we are members.
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read Your Scriptures, we find Your Son on every page. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. We look to Him not only for our salvation, but for every need of life. For all our needs are met in Him. Until He returns, strengthen us by Your grace to accomplish the work You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 23, 2022
THE SECOND ADVENT
While exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John saw a vision of Christ’s second coming. His description of the Son of Man coming on the clouds was like what the prophet Daniel saw in his vision 600 years before Christ’s first advent.
“Behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man” (Dan. 7:13).
What John saw is also how Jesus answered the high priest who asked whether he was the Messiah, the Son of God. To which Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64).
The high priest tore his clothes at Jesus’ reply and declared him guilty of blasphemy. The Jewish council rejected Jesus and sent him to Pilate to be crucified.
Yet, a day is coming when Christ will fulfill the vision of both Daniel and John. He will fulfill the answer he gave the high priest. When Christ returns, he will come as King with a “gold crown on his head” and as Judge with a “sharp sickle in his hand.” This is Advent: Christ has come and is coming again.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we remember Christ’s first advent, we are filled with confident anticipation at His soon return. Strengthen us with power and wisdom to serve You until that Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 23, 2016
John saw an angel flying with the “eternal gospel” proclaiming it to everyone on earth during the time of tribulation. Even as the great majority of humanity had chosen to follow the antichrist, God still made sure the good news was heard, so that they were without excuse. This gospel is “eternal” because… (from Barnes Notes)
(1) “its great truths have always existed.”
(2) “it will forever remain unchanged.”
(3) “its effects will be everlasting” for those who believe.
It is this “eternal gospel” that God has given in order to rescue us from sin, separation and death.
From: December 23, 2015
Zerubbabel, whose name meant, “seed of Babylon,” was one of the Jews born in Babylon during their 70 years of captivity. Born a prince in the Davidic line, he was appointed governor over Jerusalem by the Persian king, Cyrus, and led the returning exiles to start rebuilding the Temple. Unfortunately, due to conflict with the locals and lack of both physical and financial support, the work had come to a halt after laying the foundation. The unfinished work sat atop the temple mount for over a decade, a constant and discouraging reminder to Zerubbabel, who had lost heart that it would ever be completed. It was during this time of despair that the prophet Zechariah encouraged him to take up the “plumb line” and go back to work because he would surely be able to finish it. And so, the prophecy that the temple that was started by Zerubbabel would be finished by him was fulfilled. Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple, the same one that King Herod later “supersized,” and the same one that Jesus, the true King, taught in during the His earthly ministry. Yet, this prophecy also has a spiritual fulfillment that is still pending. For Zerubbabel, the Davidic prince, is a christological type pointing to Christ’s work of salvation. The book of Hebrews explains saying that Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus has laid the foundation and He will set the “capstone.”
From: December 23, 2014
When we pray to the Lord with understanding we eventually stop praying for what we want and find our wants met in Him. We stop praying for a place of peace and safety and we see that God Himself is our “refuge.” Let the prayers of David guide you on how to pray. Turn down the volume and busyness this Christmas to pray. Pray not until you feel inner peace, but until you are so stirred by God’s radiant glory that you are captured by the amazing light that still points to Christ.