Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully

ad vent - the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event

Isaiah 64:1–2 (ESV)

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—

as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!

God’s people wanted God to visit, but they weren’t sure they were ready for it.

Isaiah 64:3–4 ESV

When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

Ready or not, the arrival of God would be a surprise.

Mark 1:9–11 ESV

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

God did come for a visit, and sure enough no one was ready.

Mark 13:32 ESV

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

God will return again. Have we learned anything?

Mark 13:33–37 ESV

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Christians learned to live in preparation for the arrival of God.

What would we be doing if we were ready for the arrival of God?

Matthew 2:1–2 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:9–11 ESV

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

We want to be worshipping when he comes.