Therefore, Rejoice!

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’” Revelation 12:7-12

With the world’s hustle and bustle and the swirl of holiday activity, it is easy to neglect what has been promised and what’s going on today in the heavenlies. Satan the accuser does not let up, and would deceive us from realizing the potent truths and significance of Christ’s coming. There will be a day when all Jesus came to accomplish will be revealed in glorious full, and knowing these already-assured realities should have us, therefore, rejoicing now.

Jesus was born as the promised One; therefore, rejoice! He lived on earth as man, becoming like us so we could become like Him; therefore, rejoice! He carried the weight of all our sin on the cross, and vanquished it and all its cruel fallout forever; therefore, rejoice! He rules at the right hand of God the Father, ever interceding for us; therefore, rejoice! He has conquered the power of the enemy, and will one day remove his presence forever; therefore, rejoice! And He is coming again to take us to be with Him for all eternity; therefore, rejoice!

As we celebrate His first coming, how do these assurances fortify daily living? How can His righteous authority comfort in present injustices, His sure salvation give balm in unrest and guard against doubt? What heavenly promises will we take hold of today, therefore rejoice?

“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

“O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.

O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.” ~J.M. Neale (1851)

Father, may I hold Your promises in sure hope and expectancy, rejoicing in present and future realities, to Your glory.