Christ Leaves His Majestic Throne For A Humble Manger, Then Goes Back Again Until His Return

DURING CHRISTMAS our thoughts are on Jesus' humble birth in a stable, focusing on the aspects of His humanity and lowly beginnings though he was God. Throughout His life He humbled himself and served mankind, even to the point of washing His disciples feet and surrendering to His Father's will that he die an ignominious death as the sacrificial lamb and only way to save mankind from its fallen state. He lived a transient lifestyle teaching and healing the sick, the fallen, the outcast, the enslaved and the hopeless. Over and over He reiterated he was here to save sinners rather than those (like the rule-keeping Pharisees) who thought they could save themselves through their own 'good' works and piety. He was here to offer us a personal relationship with Him, to transform us here. And He was here to teach of another life beyond this one. An Eternal Life.

While He lived and taught, Jesus continued to humbly take on the depravity of mankind for all time and when the 'end' was near, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The Jews rejected Him because they had expected a triumphant and showy ruler who would overthrow the Roman Empire and rule the world lavishly as King of the Jews. Jesus was not exactly the king most of them wanted or expected. He was far too plain and humble. So He was falsely accused and sentenced to die an excruciating and humiliating death on a cross. And then the storyline changed. And it changed the world forever.

From beginning to end, Jesus was humble to the point of death. When He came back from the dead on the third day, He told His followers what would happen next: He would return to the Father and the glorious throne room of God. The Holy Spirit would come. The Good News would spread throughout the Earth. All men would be given the chance and the choice to accept His Free Gift of Salvation and to be made over. Or not. Some would be too comfortable with depravity, addictions and accomplishments to give them up and be healed into an unknown new life path. Still, sometime in the future, the time for choosing would be over and He would come again in triumphant glory to judge the quick and the dead, and to separate those who believed in Him from those who did not.

Years later on the Island of Patmos, the Apostle John would have an outrageous vision of God and His Second Coming that he would write down. It would become the last book of the Bible--- the Book of Revelation. In it God reiterated that He, Christ Jesus, will come again to separate believers from non-believers. He will destroy the person of Satan and his followers and take His flock to live with Him in Glorious Eternity. The outline of all that's written in Revelation is almost too unbelievable to read and contemplate. Certainly many who read it will not get far without thoughtful, Bible commentary.

Still it's helpful at Christmastime to review the Book of Revelation and see the throne room of heaven and its surroundings that magnify His deity and are in stark contrast to the humble life Christ lived while he was here the first time.

In Revelation, the center is a throne - behind which an emerald-colored rainbow arises. Dignitaries dressed in white robes and gold crowns are seated around the throne. The floor of the massive room is like crystal. Unusual looking creatures constantly give verbal praise to God and the dignitaries form a celestial choir, worshiping and praising God. This is the normal abode of God's Son. Yet we usually think of Jesus as a child in Bethlehem, a teacher on a hillside, or the One who bore our sins alone on a cross. Revelation balances that picture with a glimpse of Jesus' majesty and grandeur.

Suffice it to say, Jesus will not return to earth on a donkey, or in a stable. The power and majesty he will embody will be beyond our wildest comprehension. Over and over he entreats us to be ready, to seek Him, for he will return when we least expect it, like a thief in the night. He begs us over and over to take these prophecies seriously. Before it's too late.

Reading the entire Book of Revelation is a wonderful way to put the entirety of Salvation History into perspective. And it blesses each and everyone who reads it, according to the Bible. So if you want a blessing as we go into the new year, then go read the astounding Book of Revelation. And ponder these things in your heart, while asking God to reveal Himself to you in the New Year. Ask sincerely and He will sooner or later answer you. Power and majesty and might will balance humble when Christ comes back to us. It will be much more than we can begin to fathom in our hearts and minds.