The Word in Advent (Zechariah 3:1-10; Revelation 19:5-9)

Beloved, we will begin an new church year with Advent.  This is a time of expectation anticipating the  coming of the Lord.  Jesus came to save us, and he will come again to judge the earth.  We long for this day, when the world will be free from sin, death and decay. 

In Advent we are going to look to Jesus as he has come to be our Priest, our Prophet, our King, and our coming Lord.  This week we will begin Advent anticipating Jesus our high priest to deliver us!  

Zechariah 3:1-10  

¹ Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”³ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”⁵ Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by.⁶ The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: ⁷ “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.⁸ “ ‘Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. ⁹ See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.¹⁰ “ ‘In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” Revelation 19:5-9 ⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God,  all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. ⁷ Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. ⁸ Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) ⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Memory Verse:  Revelation 1:5-6

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,  and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.