Scripture: Revelation 22:20 “Come, Lord Jesus!”

As the video captured the beauty of locations around Israel, a solitary voice sang out, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” The vocalist alternated between English and Hebrew as the melancholy music captivated me. Even though I’d sung the traditional Advent carol every year at Christmas, I heard something I hadn’t noticed before—an earnest pleading for Christ to come again.

The lyrics look back, crying out for a rescuer to come and save Israel who “mourns in lonely exile here.” Before Jesus’ first coming, the Jewish people were waiting and longing for someone to come and rescue them from their captivity. At Christmas, we sing with joy because Christ, also called Immanuel, or “God with us,” came as a baby in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies.

But the song continues to ask Jesus to “come” because we still wait. Now we long for His second coming, when He will rescue us from the struggles of this world. Throughout the book of Revelation, we read His promise, “I am coming soon!” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7,12). A holy longing for the fulfilment of that promise causes us to respond in agreement, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20).

Relevant for more than just the Advent season, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a year-round prayer of our longing for Jesus to return and wipe away every tear (21:4) and make all things right. — Lisa M. Samra

Oh, did you know?

The Book of Revelation is not a call to violent victory but to sacrificial death. Setting aside the graphic descriptions of dragons and beasts, Revelation is a letter written by John who makes the point that victory over the kingdom of darkness comes through self-sacrifice. Jesus, the slain Lamb is our example, and as people of the Lamb, we are to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel.