Confident in His Coming
Fifth Day of Advent. Thursday, December 4, 2025
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke 21:20-28
Dear friends,
You could fill a library with books about the Second Advent of Christ’s return, and your head might spin trying to understand it. There are many theories about how and in what way, but we are never entirely sure. According to Scripture and Jesus' own words, He will come again.
Today, in our reading, Jesus talks about the cosmic signs that will mark His glorious return. There will be events around it that will cause the world to feel distressed. Still, He gives a surprising command: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Standing upright symbolizes courage, dignity, and unwavering hope. We stand strong against despair and fear, reminding ourselves that life's struggles are not the end but a lead-up to Christ’s ultimate victory.
As Christians, we do not face tribulation with clenched teeth or white knuckles, merely trying to stay positive. Instead, we confront suffering head-on—acknowledging it, grieving it, fighting against it—while lifting our eyes beyond the pain to the One who will redeem all of His creation. This powerful vision is the heart of Christian hope: seeing the darkness clearly yet remaining steadfast in our faith, trusting that a new era is coming.
For those of us waiting in hope, these frightening signs are not signs of destruction but signals that our salvation is near. This Advent, embrace this tension, recognizing the world's brokenness while looking up with unwavering confidence. He is coming!
This simple Advent carol, “O Come, Divine Messiah,” may not be familiar to you. But it is a song full of expectation for the day “when hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away.” Listen and meditate on the words.
Going further
Am I stuck in the denial of pretending everything is fine or in the despair of believing everything is lost? How can I develop a clear view that recognizes both the current darkness and the coming of Christ?
Is my hope passive or active? Does my confidence in Christ translate into a readiness to serve, or does it make me complacent about the needs of others?
Watching and waiting,
