Rend the Heavens

“Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence …” – Isaiah 64:1

Isaiah’s heart longed for God’s presence to be known and acknowledged. With this movement of God, the prophet knew there would be justice, righteousness, and a rectification of wrongs.

For the Christian, this comes, in fullness in the Second appearing of Christ at the end of the present age. It is the hope that is the longing expressed every first Sunday of Advent.

It is a wonder beyond comprehension or description. 

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” – Isaiah 64:4 

Isaiah confessed collective sin and embraced the gift of salvation. He knew the hopelessness of those whose own righteousness is as filthy rags, who fade like leaves, and are blown away with the wind.

We are stained with iniquity, but we are covered by grace. For that reason, we pray for the Day of the LORD and we joyfully wait, even judgment because we have no terror of awesome revelation of God’s power.

Isaiah declared, “We are Thy people.” To be the people of God is to be a people of promise and hope. 

“Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” – Psalm 80:5-7 

The coming of a child, born in Bethlehem, born to die and rise again, is a signal that the culmination of time has begun and that the glorious rule of God has been announced The Jesus event in Israel two thousand years ago, was God’s announcement that history has a meaning and is leading to a grand destination. 

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” – Mark 13:26-27

 It is not even Thanksgiving time yet, but as you think forward to Advent, prepare for this:

We welcome the season by praying with the saints of the centuries, “Come Lord, Jesus, come.”