Which Advent Do you Celebrate? (Revelation 21:3)
- Greg Palys
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
[And] I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Revelation 21:3
Every year, Christians spend the month of December remembering and building anticipation for the birth of Jesus. For thousands of years, God’s people had been waiting with longing for the arrival of Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). When He finally came, it was worth celebrating. This is why we remind ourselves of the joy, wonder, and gratitude we get to experience living this side of the incarnation.
Because Christ has come, we get to know God’s promises through Scripture. We get the security, guidance, and conviction of the Holy Spirit in us. But we still live in a gap, in a world largely apathetic and sometimes openly hostile to the fact that God dwelt here for our sake. Thankfully, Advent isn’t just about Jesus’ birthday.
Now we look forward to something greater, something to which the first Advent pointed. How often do you celebrate Jesus’ coming again–the second Advent?
Jesus’ return will set off a series of events that will culminate with the new heaven and new earth, where heaven and earth will be eternally wed (Revelation 21:1-2). When that time comes, a loud voice from the throne of God will say, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God“ (Revelation 21:3).
This, Christian, is our future. Immanuel, God with us, forever.
At the first Advent, God the Son dwelt with man. But Jesus of Nazareth lived in just one small corner of the earth. Most around Him had no idea who He was. Even His family and closest followers needed to be convinced. At the second Advent, there will be no doubters. God will dwell with man, and all will recognize Him.
At the first Advent, Jesus came for His people, but they rejected Him and His followers abandoned Him. Eventually, He was mocked and killed for claiming to be exactly who He was. At the second Advent, after the judgment, everyone in the new heaven and new earth will be His people. And we will joyfully submit to His reign.
At the first Advent, God the Son was with His people. He ate with them, talked with them, and taught them. But His presence was temporary. At the Second Advent, He will remain with His people. We will not know another moment for all eternity where we will not be in the very presence of God.
Does this make your heart sing? It does mine! Let this season of Advent lead you to fix your mind on the glorious second Advent that, as the Gloria Patri says, “ever shall be, world without end.”
For Reflection
What are you looking forward to most about the new heaven and new earth?
When are you most tempted to focus so much on this life that you forget the next?
What habits can you build to keep the second Advent regularly before your eyes?
Greg Palys is a pastor at College Park Church in Indianapolis, IN, primarily overseeing ministry to children and their families. He and Sarah have five children: Ruth, Ezekiel, James, Eden, and Luke.
