the covenantal reminders in the Old Testament pointing to Immanuel. And of course, we can think about how that glorious day arrives and angels declare in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” The Scriptures continuously remind the reader how the Lord Almighty keeps his covenant promises and his plan of redemption goes forward just as decreed.
to save his people from their sins as written in Matthew 1:21. He, who knew no sin lived in perfect obedience, bore our transgressions, went to the cross, died, was buried, and rose victoriously from the grave. He conquered sin, death, and hell for his bride. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father as we confess in the Apostle’s Creed. And, as written in Acts 1:11, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this truth must echo through a Christian’s mind - tion of his return! He will come again, just as the inerrant and infallible Word of God proclaims.
Rev. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson says in his “Things Unseen” podcast: - tian calendar? I feel fairly sure it was because our spiritual forefathers knew that the incarnation actually intersects history, but looks beyond the moment of the incarnation towards the end of history. The birth of Jesus is the begin- ning of something new. It’s not its consummation-that’s still to come. The humbling of the Son of God led to his humiliation on the cross, but it was the
- ing cannot go unnoticed. It is a powerful reminder that is often neglected. When and hearts should rejoice with an eager anticipation at the thought of the second coming. Oh, what an exuberant day that will be! Again, Dr. Ferguson says, “…it’s spiritually healthy for us to remember that the Jesus who came at Bethlehem is going to return again in majesty and glo- ry…” In the verse mentioned earlier, Acts 1:11, the reader must take notice of the language present. It is not a ‘maybe statement’ about the second coming of come again! We can have no doubt.
A Prayerful Hope for You It is good and right for us to spend time rejoicing in the coming of Christ,
true light bursting into the darkness. So much of God’s inerrant and infallible Word speaks of this glorious event where the second person of the Triune God this be our prayer as brothers and sisters in Christ come together at this time. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, our eyes and hearts must
November/December 2025 7
look with great anticipation to when Christ comes in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. The Word of God declares his return with the same certainty as the incarnation. We have a reminder of this fervor at the end of the Westminster Confession of Faith 33.3 when it says, “…be ever prepared to say, come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.”
On this section of the confession,
from Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith:
“There is a note of joyful ex- - ful and blessed hope of the Scrip- tures. Christians are not braced for the coming of the Lord, anxiously worrying about his arrival. We are eager for his coming, hoping to be the generation that will hold the And since it is sure that he is com- ing momentarily, as God counts his moments, we always want to be praying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’
May this truly be our prayer and
coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with eyes and hearts eagerly anticipating the Messiah’s return.
Rev. Matthew L. Atteberry is the Associ- ate Pastor at Chapel by the Sea (Mel- bourne Beach, FL), Florida Presbytery.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
