The First Candle: The Prophet's Candle

The First Candle: The Prophet’s Candle December 9, 2010 from BJ Lawson


The first candle is the Prophet’s candle

The lighting of this candle draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of Messiah, the Anointed One. His coming is woven like a golden thread all the way through Old Testament history. God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by self centered prophets and half hearted religious leaders which resulted in some longing for God to raise up a new king who would teach them to be God’s people and lead them in righteousness and truth. They yearned for a return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst

And so, God revealed to some of the prophets that indeed He would not leave His people without a true Shepherd. While the people expected a new earthly king, their expectations fell far short of God’s revelation of Himself in Christ. And yet, the world is not yet fully redeemed. So, we again with expectation, with hope, await God’s new work in history, the Second Advent (Second Coming), in which He will again reveal Himself to the world. And we understand in a profound sense that the best, the highest of our expectations will fall far short of what our Lord’s Second Coming will reveal!

And so we light the first candle of Expectation or Hope. Not the hope that “wishes something will happen” but a Hope that knows it will happen. Because God was right about the First Advent which came 735 years after the prophets said it would, our hope is based on knowing God will do what He said He would do and so we wait expectantly knowing that Jesus is coming back!!!

So my question is this Are you ready for the Second Coming? What must you do to help others get ready for His coming? Remember you are the light to a lost and dying world. May you give an account of the hope that is within you this Christmas season!

The Scriptures for the first week of Advent:

Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke: 1:26-38
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24