
ADVENT?
We know the word, we have Advent calendars, heard of it in RE lessons at school, or church if you attend.
But what does it mean? The Greek word for Advent is Parousia meaning a Presence, an arrival especially an arrival of a King, ruler or Deity.
Advent - Parousia, the period before the arrival of the Son of God into this world.
The Son of God arrived 2025 years ago, but His Advent was prophesied as many as 300-350 times in the Old Testament scriptures, spanning from the first book in the Bible Genesis 3:15, when Adam and Eve sinned, foretelling that the Seed of a woman would arrive to crush the head of the serpent who deceived. This was foretold +-4,500 years ago
Isaiah7:14 -Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign- Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel - 700 BC
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders.
Micah 5:2 But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose going forth is from of old, from Everlasting. 720 BC
Jeremiah 31:15 prophesying the death of the young boys in Ramah, Rachel, the women of Israel weeping for her children at the hand of Herod who attempted to kill Jesus 600BC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus Christ first Advent was in humility, He came as a baby to save us from our sin. He died in our place the perfect Sacrifice. All who confess their sin and put their trust in Jesus will be saved. Jesus is the Only Saviour who came to seek and to save men, women, boys and girls from their sin. This is amazing Grace, that saved a wretch like me, who once was lost but now is found, was blind but now I see!
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The Second Advent- Parousia which is to come, has also been prophesied many times in the OT and the NT. The time when Jesus the Son of God will return to this earth, The Sovereign Lord to Judge the living and the dead.
What will it be like for you when He returns? Will you be safe and secure because you have been saved by His amazing Grace? Or will you tremble in fear before the Holy and Righteous God, condemned for rejecting his offer of salvation. If you are an unbeliever, we urge you to turn from your sin and cry out to Jesus to save you from eternal torment in Hell, that we all deserve for our rebellion against the infinitely Holy Creator.
May we all at this Christmas time have a revelation of what this time of the year reallymeans, to reach out and seek the Lord to save you for eternity, only then will you be able to share that same joy and freedom that the Shepherds and the Wise men found on that first
Advent- Parousia.
Welcome to Dunk's Green Free Church
Dunk's Green Evangelical Church is the last remaining independent village church in the Tonbridge and Sevenoaks area. First established in 1838, today's church remains true to its founders' original vision -- to preach the full Gospel of Jesus Christ and to encourage local people to seek and trust Him alone for their salvation.
Enquiries: epastor@dunkschurch.org
