We are looking for the advent (the coming) of the Lord Jesus Christ; this is the second one. I heard about it 50 years ago; that seems a long time to wait, but they waited a longer time for Him to come the first time. Back in Genesis, 4000 years before, God had said the woman's seed would bruise the serpent's head. It was never said of any other that he would be the woman's seed.
That is what is referred to in Luke 2:13, 1413And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13‑14), "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." All heaven was astir because of the birth on earth of that One who was promised so long before. A multitude of the heavenly host was rejoicing and praising God.
Matt. 3:22And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2), "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," is the fulfillment of Mal. 3:11Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1), "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." John the Baptist was that messenger sent to announce His first coming.
Matt. 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11): "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." That is the second messenger who is spoken of in Mal. 3:11Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1).
In verses 13 to 17 it says, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John discerned that it was not becoming for him to baptize this sinless One, seeing that John was a sinner. But the Lord says, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." He identifies Himself with the repentant remnant. Then the Holy Spirit comes as a dove on Him, but at Pentecost He came on the believers as cloven tongues of fire, speaking of separation to Himself. The dove speaks of purity, peace, and holiness. Since God knew that men would be quick to use this instance of the Lord's being baptized with sinners to try to prove that He was a sinner, God blocked that by allowing heaven to be opened and declaring, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Can you visualize in Matt. 17:22And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:2), "And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light"? We know how dazzling the sun is, and what a glorious appearance this must have been. Verse 3: "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him." Moses and Elias were both great men and we would consider it much to be in their place. But when Peter wanted to class the Lord with them, God spoke from heaven again and announced, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." How privileged, then, we are to be gathered about that Person. What a sight before God and heaven to see a little company gathered in simplicity answering to His request in a world like this.
C. H. Brown