Youth Advent 12/24

Posted on Dec 24, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-Four: Our Hope is Jesus’s Return
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” — Revelation 19:11-16
 

Think of the worst argument you’ve ever seen on TV, in a movie, or been a part of yourself. It probably included some heated words or maybe some raised voices. Those individuals who were part of the argument maybe even said things they wish they could take back.

Arguments like these can sometimes feel like a battle—a conflict between two or more people or groups. We see this a lot in our broken world today. There are lots of arguments, wars, and injustices where we see this brokenness on display all around us.

In Scripture, we read about a “spiritual battle” that is going on around us, and in this particular verse, God inspired John to describe this battle using the imagery of war. The book of Revelation can be very difficult to fully grasp because of imagery like this. Biblical scholars often have different ways of interpreting it. However, one thing that all scholars do agree upon is that Jesus is returning. In fact, about one out of every 30 verses in the Bible reference the return of Jesus.

At Christmas, we remember and celebrate that God chose to enter our world as a baby to proclaim the Good News of His love for us. It is also a time to look forward in hope of Jesus’ return and the establishment of his reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords, when everything in our broken world will be made right!

The hymn “Crown Him With Many Crowns” gives us words to praise God for this promise of hope in Jesus as King. As a matter of fact, Matthew Bridges wrote this hymn after reading Revelation 19:12! As you read these lyrics, praise God for this hope that we have today!

 
 

Questions:

1. Where do you notice brokenness in the world around you?
2. How might looking forward to Jesus’s return give you hope?
3. Today, pray this sentence: “Jesus, I put my hope in you.”