As our commemoration of the first coming of Jesus approaches (Christmas) the Scriptures remind us that God is the God of history; a God who is dynamic and present to his people; a God who joins in our suffering; and a God who will be the Great Judge of good and evil in the last day. Our history is full of God’s coming to save his people and to bring judgment on those who choose to remain his enemy.

The helpless baby Jesus who had been hidden away in the virgin’s womb appears some years later riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, hailed as “the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). A few days later the heinous cross appears to spell total defeat.

But from his perch in the 8th century B.C., the prophet Isaiah saw into the future proclaiming that God will not be defeated. This God of history will appear in a moment of his own choosing to vindicate his remnant people and to trample the wicked in his anger and wrath (Isaiah 63:3). He will again come, not as an innocent child or the humble servant riding into Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sin of the world, but as the conquering Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

At that moment the holy remnant will experience complete vindication. For the enemies of God, it will be the darkest of all days, the day of the righteous vengeance of God against the wicked. God alone has worked salvation for those who come to him, and he alone will bring final judgment against those who have chosen to be his enemy and the enemy of his people. This baby in the manger came to suffer for us and therefore to be with us in our suffering (Isa 63:9) until righteousness is satisfied. Praise for the steadfast covenant-love of the Lord must be our joyous response (Isaiah 63:7-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24).

Come, Lord Jesus, and keep coming with your Holy Spirit until your suffering, resolute Church becomes the Church triumphant, fully saved, and at peace with you for all eternity.

Tags: kingdom, hope, advent, peace, saved, waiting, vindication, coming, triumphant, expectant