Anticipation Of The Bridegroom
There is probably not a person alive who does not feel as if some major event is about to take place in the world — possibly shaking it to its very core. I believe we are on the eve of it, and we feel it. God’s people are anticipating the coming of the Bridegroom.
That being said, there was a time, a precise time, for Jesus’ first coming. It was an exact moment on God’s eternal timetable.
4But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law.
Furthermore, just before it happened, God revealed it to a few of His most trusted servants, such as Simeon (a devout man) and the prophetess Anna. He let them feel it.
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
27And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law,
28[Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,
29And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word.
30For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation,
31Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,
32A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel.
36And there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood,
37And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer.
38And she too came up at that same hour, and she returned thanks to God and talked of [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption (deliverance) of Jerusalem.
The bride of Christ feels the nearness of Jesus’ Second Coming. While no man or angel knows the time for His return, the Father does.
33So also when you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He (Jesus) is near, at the very doors.
34Truly I tell you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at the same time, in a definite, given period) will not pass away till all these things taken together take place.
35Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
36But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Lastly, events are shaping up, so let us be busy spreading the good news of the Gospel so others may know the joy of Christ’s salvation and be ready for His coming.
7He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
God Bless!
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible”
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