FROM CREATOR TO CRADLE TO CROSS TO THE CROWN

I can hardly believe we’re in Advent. It can many times be a struggle to be still and reflect on what the season is all about.

Reading Hosea 6-9, I am reminded that the whole book centers around the idea that to know God is to enter a marriage relationship with Him.

Since the beginning of Creation, Satan has attempted to thwart and dismantle God’s plan. God’s plan was for the seed of the woman to bring forth a Savior to crush his head and deliver God’s people, His bride.

In an ideal marriage, there is a sense in which we really come to know that person, the good and the bad. When we come to know The LORD Jesus, that’s the beginning of a life transformed. The true beginning of the knowledge of God. Humanity’s desire should be to know God and glorify Him forever. To know Him is to enjoy Him and love him.

The Creator of the universe had a plan which encompassed redeeming and claiming believers as His own, by whatever means necessary. He was willing even to send His only Begotten Son to be born of a virgin and live among mankind. Jesus Christ was completely God and completely Man, yet without sin. He satisfied God’s Holiness by taking ALL sin of mankind on His body at the cross.

 His Father could not even look at Him. He died the death we should have died. It did not stop there; Jesus rose from the dead three days later full of majesty and glory. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 states that Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.

Revelation 19:6-9 says, “Alleluia! For the LORD God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready…arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.”

This was God’s purpose in Hosea. God Himself would make His bride ready and in turn receive the ultimate Crown. “ The LORD is King forever and ever…” Psalm 10:16

Are we assisting God in making ourselves ready? To God be All the Glory! Alleluia and Amen!