John finally
gives in to their persistence. But even
in his concession he does not even use his own words, but those of the prophet
Isaiah. It is one of the most beautiful
and powerful passages in all of Scripture.
In it God speaks words that describe a time when his wayward children
will experience a personal and living encounter with him, not a second-hand
experience but a first-hand and life-changing face to face moment. I will quote the entire passage from the New
International Version.
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to
her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: "In the desert
prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our
God. Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the
rugged places a plain. And the glory of
the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth
of the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 40:1-5 (NIV)
If these words
are not a thinly veiled reference to the coming of the Messiah, what can they
possibly be saying? This event is that
which both John the Revelator and John the Baptist dedicated their entire life
to sharing, each in their own way. John
the Baptist is the fire that burned brightly but for a short time. John the Revelator provides a light that
shone steadily for a longer time. Both
know that the moment has arrived and they have a part to play in ushering it in
and in spreading the news. Am I any less
called to proclaim THE LORD'S soon second coming? Does that news burn in my soul? What will I do with this earth-shattering
Good News? Is my passion for His coming
waning? Is my zest for living today
overwhelming my desire for a world not confined by time and space? I pray that my message will not be muffled,
even if I end up being a lone voice shouting in the wilderness.
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