“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.

spate.holly@gmail.com

With all the various world events rapidly merging, it appears we are closer than ever to soon hearing the glorious trumpet blast. For those paying attention, our meeting-in-the-clouds moment seems to be on the horizon.

Are you ready?

As world events ramp up at an incredible pace, we’ve been given a front-row seat to viewing God’s prophetic Word come to life. In real-time, it appears we are witnessing the very birth pains mentioned in the Word of God.

It truly is remarkable to know that, of all those before us, God appears to have chosen this very time in history, this current generation, to bring to fruition prophesied events we and all believers up until this point have read about and been waiting for.

How amazing!

The pages of scripture truly seem to be coming to life right before our very eyes. How incredible… how remarkable and humbling to think God placed each of us here, at this time in history, for such a time as this!

Just think… He placed YOU here, at this time in history, for such a time as this!

What a great privilege…what an amazing and special gift!

As the clock ticks faster, we all find ourselves on borrowed time. Each day, more precious than before, makes each moment we as believers have left on earth all the more important. To anyone with eyes open… to those watching and waiting, the message has become crystal clear: Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We are going to see the King!

As we wait, how will you spend these precious final hours? Will you be busy being about your Father’s business… praying, sharing, planting, helping… looking for any and all opportunities to be a witness of His love, His light, and His hope to a lost and dying world?

The time is short, and each day we wake up (each day YOU wake up) we’re that much closer to going home. There is a mere window of opportunity left to plant as many seeds as we can and to do as much as we can for the lost and the kingdom as we wait for our bridegroom to call us to Himself.

Yes, there is still much to do as we wait, brothers and sisters!

Let’s finish well as we hold to hope and continually remember and embrace the wonderful truths in these beautiful verses:

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Like Paul, I pray we can all say, as stated in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.”

As we wait, let’s do all we can…
Let’s fight the good fight.
Let’s complete the course.
Let’s keep the faith.
Let’s finish strong!

May you be encouraged by this beautiful poem by C.T. Studd, which says it all. Have a blessed day!

spate.holly@gmail.com

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh, let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, ”Thy will be done;”
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all;”
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.