Jose Roberto Ramos Pastor & Founder, His Life Ministries
God speaks always. He does that through His Word and especially through Prophecy.
The Advent of Jesus, His first coming was a very strong and sustained message in the Old Testament that many did miss in the New Testament. While some missed the first Advent, Elizabeth did not; the child (John the Baptist) in her womb did not; the shepherds did not; the angels did not; Simeon did not, and of course Joseph and Mary were in the middle of it all.
This Christmas 2020 is so special for in the night and darkness and evil of a virus, many still hear the “prophetic” sign of the Son of God coming to be Light in Darkness and Hope even through valleys of death and depression. It takes anticipative listening. It takes faith in the Word of th Lord. the Bible. It takes to be prophetic. It takes to be simple and humble and even careful to say, “LORD JESUS thank You that you are our Everlasting Light and Life and Hope”.
You see, the Isaiah 7:14 text that says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” was first mentioned during the darkest moment of Judah’s life as a kingdom in the Old Testament. This was where the Lord God proclaimed one of His brightest promises – Immanuel “God with us.”
The person and name of Immanuel underline that God will do what He says: He will be with His people. And so, this season is reminding us that in the darkest moment, it is where the promises of God make sense. In the midst of this joyous season: we may not miss the point. There was darkness and the Savior has come to give light to people.
Don’t miss the point. There was hopelessness and when Christ was born, so our hope. There’s much darkness in our world today. People are hurting. People are broken. They are confused. They have doubt. They are afraid of something. They tend to think and believe that they are alone. And so, this season is God’s annual reminder for us all that no matter where you are in life, as long as you are in Christ, God is with you!
When we behold the SIGN, you will discover the promise of the coming of the SON for the SALVATION of humanity. From heaven’s throne to the manger – from the manger to the cross – from the cross to the grave – from the grave to life – in every season of life, God is with you, God is with us. This is the bedrock of our hope. This is what makes our hope unshakable.
His Sign, His Son and His Salvation found only in JESUS makes even this Christmas wonderful, powerful and eternal. Oh WAIT more … a second Advent will be around soon. Keep on listening with HOPE. – NWI
