Yeshua is coming as a Bridegroom King. He’s not just coming to marry His Bride & stay in heaven for all of eternity. He will dwell on the earth once again with humanity- His Bride (Ez. 43:6-9).
Directly after the marriage supper of the lamb, we see that the Bridegroom comes to the earth on a white horse (Rev. 19:6-16). This Faithful & True one will come as the King of kings & Lord of lords. He will lead the earth into a thousand-year period where the saints reign with Him from Jerusalem, before destroying Satan and his army forever (Rev. 20:1-10). When the enemy is totally defeated once and for all, we see the focus of Yeshua shift from a King, destroying His enemies, to a Bridegroom who is focused on just being with His Bride. The Father also has His desire fulfilled, dwelling among the people who choose Him forever (Rev. 20:11-21:8).
“Behold,” declares a loud voice from a place near the throne, “the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God” (Rev. 21:3). God Himself follows this by clarifying the relationship He desires, “I will be his God and he will be my son” (Rev. 21:7). He focuses in on family once again. This is His heart; this is His desire for all of eternity.
John goes on to make an interesting observation, “and I saw no temple in the city” (Rev. 21:22). Since the temple is one of the essential places and pursuits in the earthly Jerusalem, it seems odd for there to be no temple. However John clarifies that there’s no physical temple because “it’s temple is the Lord God almighty and the lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it’s light, and it’s lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:22-25).
Yeshua is the temple. He is the temple, the sacrifice (the Lamb), and the High Priest. We will see His face, and He will mark us with His name (Rev. 22:4). God Himself will be our light and Good Shepherd. Forever.
God’s eternal desires will be fulfilled- we be as children to the Father, a Bride to the Son, and one with the Spirit. He will dwell in us and among us forever. He will be our God and we will be His people (2 Cor. 6:16-18, Lev. 26:12, Is. 52:11, Rev. 21:6-8).
In the book of Titus, this appearing of our God to the earth is called our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). We are to undergo training from the grace of God to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” as we wait, for Yeshua “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession” (Titus 2:11-14).
In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that it’s because we have these promises to hold onto- the promises of God making His dwelling among us, being our God, walking among us, and being accepted by God into His family- that we should “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). This doesn’t mean we strive to do things to cleanse ourselves. As living temples of His Spirit, we have the blessing of His sanctifying power and counsel. He will bring to light the things we need to deal with and will help us through that process. He is ultimately the One who guides us into all truth and sanctifies us- we just need to be willing & obedient in the process (Jn. 16:13, Rom. 15:16, 1 Cor. 6:11, 1 Pet. 1:2). And it’s Jesus’ blood that cleanses and purifies us (1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Jn. 1:7-9, Heb. 9:22). This is why the strength, power, cleansing, and wholeness we get from holy communion is so important. He is our daily bread and we must depend on His strength and power to build our faith and be prepared for His return.
This is the reason Yeshua came. He came to the Jewish nation to confirm His promises to the patriarchs of their people, and to welcome the Gentiles into the covenant He desires with all humanity (Rom. 15:8-9). He came to provide the Way for our purification, power, and oneness with God. The Holy Spirit came to fulfill part of what Yeshua bought on the cross, and then one day Yeshua will come again to fulfill the rest. Yeshua, the root of Jesse, will come to rule and “in him will the Gentiles hope” (Rom. 15:12, Is. 11:10).
In this God of love, peace, joy, hope, life, light, and purity will we hope. He will bring all of these things to the earth and dwell with humanity once again. And He’s coming to do this soon (Rev. 22:20).
So, Holy Spirit, prepare us. Make us ready. We want to partner with You and the global Bride to say, “Come” and welcome our beloved Bridegroom King back to the earth. We welcome you into our hearts & minds to illuminate what lies we’re believing, what we need you to uproot, what we need to cultivate with you. We know You’re coming soon, Yeshua, and we are longing for that day! We desire the water of life; we desire You. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
As we journey through this week of remembering the One who is coming to dwell with us soon, may we take time to intentionally reflect on these questions: Am I ready to see Yeshua come back to the earth? What is keeping my heart from longing to be with Him forever? What do I need to do to prepare my heart & mind to welcome back Yeshua and co-reign with Him? How can I reorient my life to live unto the maranatha cry?
In remembering our coming King, may we be marked by His truthfulness, faithfulness, joy, and peace- to the point of being filled with all hope and zeal (Rom. 15:13).
Happy Advent, friends. Let’s welcome the hope of His glorious appearing together.
if you have an extra moment:
read: Romans 15:8-13 and Revelation 20-22
listen: Oh the Cross + My Access by Upperroom and Maranatha by Lindy Conent & Upperroom
missed a reading? here is advent thoughts part I, part II, and part III if you haven’t read those yet. 🙂
Stevens To The One 
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