This week we have done a very brief overview of the book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Bible. The apostle John on the Isle of Patmos at age 90 sees a vision and records the message about end times. It is highly symbolic and people have debated the imagery and timeline. The interpretation “is above my pay grade!” But there are certain glaring truths that are very clear. John first recorded messages to seven churches in Asia Minor – God sees and cares about his Church. The world and life for Christians is not going to be about health, wealth and prosperity but will most likely involve suffering, trials and often persecution. In the end there will be the casting out of evil into the lake of fire. The new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem will descend and God will live among his people and be their light. There will be no more death. It is unimaginable.
I first heard the song, “The King is Coming” at a women’s prayer conference in Kenya. The lyrics were written by Gloria Gaither in 1970 and given to her husband Bill Gaither who wrote the music. Gloria had always thought of the coming of Jesus as a time of judgment but one day she heard an evangelist and suddenly realized that Jesus is “The Master of Restoration.” Jesus brings people together in marriage, mends broken relationships, and bridges the gaps between generations in families, His return will be met by streets lined with people who have been restored because of him, cheering and celebrating. I pray you enjoy this song as much as I do!
The marketplace is empty, No more traffic in the streets,
All the builders’ tools are silent, No more time to harvest wheat;
Busy housewives cease their labors, In the courtroom no debate,
Work on earth is all suspended As the King comes thro’ the gate.
Chorus:
O the King is coming, The King is coming!
I just heard the trumpets sounding, And now His face I see;
O the King is coming, The King is coming!
Praise God, He’s coming for me!
Happy faces line the hallways, Those whose lives have been redeemed,
Broken homes that He has mended, Those from prison He has freed;
Little children and the aged Hand in hand stand all aglow,
Who were crippled, broken, ruined, Clad in garments white as snow.
Chorus:
I can hear the chariots rumble, I can see the marching throng,
The flurry of God’s trumpets Spells the end of sin and wrong:
Regal robes are now unfolding, Heaven’s grandstand’s all in place,
Heaven’s choir now assembled, Start to sing “Amazing Grace!”
Chorus.
On the Way to Wonder 