The Now, But Not Yet

Advent Day #14

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Nearly word for word, the angels began their good tidings to match the prophecy Isaiah made hundreds of years before. The Old Testament saints were told a child would be born, and a son would be given, identifying that God would be born into the world as a baby. The angel confirmed to the shepherds watching over the lambs raised for sacrifice that this child in the manger was indeed the very one promised in Isaiah. Saviour—the means of salvation. Christ—the promised Messiah. Lord—the ruling King.

In Isaiah’s prophecy, though, there is a colon separating the child born from the ruling King, and that separation is truly wonderful news for the New Testament saints. In the Old Testament, the picture of Christ’s coming is a bit like a man standing on a mountain looking to the next mountain at what is to come, but not being able to see into the valley obscured by clouds below. The way of salvation for all people was hidden in that valley of Old Testament prophecy. Paul called it a mystery in Ephesians 5:32, describing the church filled with Jews and Gentiles waiting for the Messiah to come and take the government upon His shoulder.

Still, we await the “now, but not yet.” Jesus has been born. His name is Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He rules over the affairs of men beside His Father in heaven even now.

But we still await the “not yet” of His Second Coming. The next time He will not come as a humble baby. His grace waits right now for men to repent and turn to Him, but He will not wait forever. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, but judgment will fall on those who did not bow before that day. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t wait to bow before Him; crown Him His rightful Kingship in your heart right now.