by By Holly Spate
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7).
As I’ve gotten older, I find myself gravitating toward the hymns of my youth. I have vivid memories of sitting in church as the congregation was instructed to stand and turn to a certain page in the hymnal, which was always strategically nestled inside a little wooden cubby attached to the pew in front of me. I remember the worship leader smiling as he collectively conducted us through every single verse.
Being younger, I would often find myself impatient, having to sing through every verse, but as an adult looking back, I realize that every verse was significant and tied together perfectly to tell a story.
Although I miss the hymn books in our churches today, I appreciate revisiting the various hymns online, as the hymns of yesterday are as relevant today as they ever were. Every lyric and line proves both meaningful and poignant. The messages shared continue to speak to the heart, provide hope, and serve as reminders of the goodness of our great God.
One such hymn I recently came across while strolling down memory lane was a powerful hymn written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The title? The King is Coming.
Maybe some of you remember it…
The King Is Coming
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 has been suspended
As the King comes through the gate
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
And broken homes that he has amended
Those from prison he so freed
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand, stand all aglow
Those who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now his face I see
The King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, he’s coming for me
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 all in place
Heaven’s choir now assembled
Start to sing amazing grace
Whoa, 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
Praise God, he’s coming for me
What an uplifting hymn! The words paint a beautiful picture and serve as a wonderful reminder of what lies ahead for every believer in Jesus. Every line resonated back then but resonates even more now as we find ourselves nearing the end of the church age.
As believers in Christ, we each should be excited that our Lord and Savior…the King of Kings…will one day gather us together and take us home. 2 Timothy 4:8 speaks of a special reward for all who are watching and waiting:
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Yes, our homecoming is nearer today than it’s ever been, and with the way the world is going, we may meet our King sooner than expected.
Our hearts should be excited that our Lord of Lords…Our Creator, Our King, is Coming!
Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 reminds us of that glorious day when we will meet our Savior: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:52 brings additional encouragement to all who are His: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Just think, like the words in another past hymn convey, “Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!”
In the meantime, Jesus promised that until He brings us home, He is making special preparations for you…for me…for all who have put their hope and trust in Him!
John 14:1-3 conveys this beautiful truth: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 goes on to say: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 should bring additional encouragement to your heart as it reminds: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Isn’t God good?
Just think, one day, our heavenly Father will come to get us and bring us home. And on that day, we will forever be with the Lord.
No matter what you’re going through today, be encouraged in knowing you have a beautiful, perfect eternity ahead of you.
If you’re a believer in Christ, let your heart rejoice in the knowledge and truth that the very best is yet to come.
Our Savior is returning.
Eternity is at the door.
Any day now.