Advent - Appearing

"Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, ' that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:

'In those days and at that time
I will cause to grow up to David
A Branch of righteousness;
He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In those days Judah will be saved,
And Jerusalem will dwell safely.

And this is the name by which she will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.' Jeremiah 33:14-16

Since we are now in the Advent season, Pastor Dave took us to this passage of Scripture as we anticipate Christ's second appearing. The promised good thing to the house of Israel and Judah in these verses is a reference to the promise the Lord made to David through the prophet Nathan: "And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." (II Samuel 7:16) Someday, someone will come to sit on David's throne forever. This person is the Lord Jesus, who in this passage is described as a Branch of righteousness that God will cause to grow up through the line of David. Several passages in the Old Testament use the imagery of trees and branches to symbolize strength and prosperity. In Isaiah 11:1, because the descendants of David came under God's discipline, all that remains of the Davidic dynasty is a stump. But God promised that a Branch shall grow from Jesse's (King David's father) roots. This Branch (Jesus) will execute justice and righteousness. In partial fulfillment of this prophecy, the Jews were released from captivity and were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The future fulfillment will occur at Christ's second coming when He will execute justice and righteousness in His messianic kingdom, and those who have been justified by faith alone in Christ will be called "The Lord Our Righteousness." He is our righteousness, and we eagerly await His glorious appearing.