Last Friday marked the beginning of the Advent season. As I mentioned in an earlier episode, the word “advent” is from the Latin word that means coming, arrival or appearance. Indeed, it’s a time to celebrate the comings of Jesus, His first coming two thousand years ago, and His Second Coming which is yet to take place. At the time of Jesus’ birth, people had been waiting for His arrival for hundreds of years. Today’s passage comes from a prediction made by the prophet Isaiah, 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Let’s listen to it:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

This is a familiar passage to those of us who grew up in church or attend church now. We always read it around Christmas, thinking about the lowly birth of Jesus in a stable. But it’s more than about Jesus’ birth. It’s also about His return. The part of the passage that is particularly meaningful to me today is the second part. Here it is again: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” Can you get your mind around that? A world filled with justice. Endless increase of God’s sovereign government and peace. Wow! An endless increase! When Christ returns, He’s not going to come again in a stable or be hidden away where nobody will see it. The Bible tells us that “every eye" will see it, those who are on the earth and those who are “under the earth.” Yes, even people who are dead and buried will see the second coming of Jesus! When He returns, He’s bringing justice and the endless increase of peace with Him.

In today’s world is there anything more desirable than the endless increase of peace? That’s why we joyfully celebrate Advent. That’s why we eagerly await Jesus’ return. And that's why we say with John, as he wrote in Revelation 22:20: “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”