Tag: church

The King is Coming!

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December is finally here! The season where we remember the entrance of our King into this world.

One Sunday, a dear brother was mentioning the arrival ceremony that took place to announce the coming of a king, during Biblical times. The King was proceeded by a band of soldiers to signify his authority. Music and praise were ringing out everywhere. The path was strewn with decorations and signs making known the importance of the event. Let’s just say, it was filled with pomp and circumstance. After the king’s arrival, there was a huge feast filled with joyous activity and entertainment. This really got me thinking about the birth of Jesus and how he was welcomed into this world.

The arrival of Jesus wad foretold by ancient prophets . Angels heralded His birth, but only to a group of lowly shepherds. Three wiseman traveled from afar to worship Him. John the Baptist later proclaimed, “I am not worthy to untie His sandals”. The King had finally come! Sadly, many people failed to recognize His entrance. He was born in a cave where the animals were kept. He grew up as a carpenter, following in the footsteps of His earthly father. When John announced His presence, He was with a band of fisherman; homeless and broke by human standards. He did not seem like a king to the people around Him. They expected him to be sitting on a throne, starting an earthly rule, ridding Israel of its enemies and freeing them from captivity. However, as they continued to watch, the complete opposite happened. He was hated and betrayed by His own people. His enemies demanded His death and then He was mocked and beaten and hung on a cross. The Roman soldiers stood guard and were in charge of His crucifixion. He was then buried in a borrowed tomb, which 3 days later was found empty. The truth is that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was sacrificing Himself and receiving the Father’s wrath for our sins. He later rose from the dead but multitudes missed the presence of Divine Royalty. Even though prophecies were fulfilled and miracles performed, people dismissed Him because He was not the king they were expecting.

My friend, let me remind you that Jesus is coming again. His arrival seems eminent. This time, however, things will be different. Do you know who King Jesus chose to herald His coming? He did not choose angels, but you and I; mere human beings who have been saved by His blood. What an honor.. but how do we go about doing that? Let’s take our example from the ancient Roman tradition that I mentioned earlier. The king was proceeded by a band of soldiers. We are soldiers of the cross. He is our general and we are fighting on His side. He has absolute authority and we should show that by carrying out His commands. Secondly, music filled the air and the streets were decorated with signs and banners so that people had a visual reminder that the king was on his way. Dear one, our praise and worship should so invade the atmosphere that it boldly declares allegiance and love for our King and reminds people to prepare their hearts for His coming. We should spread the good news of the gospel far and wide. Remember, we are the ones announcing that His arrival is near. There is not much time left, so let’s shout it from the rooftops

The entrance of Jesus into this word, will also be completely different this time around. A trumpet will blast, the heavens will open and Jesus will come in all of His majesty. He will be riding on a white horse, the citizens of His country, right behind Him. Every enemy will be slaughtered. Death will be defeated. Satan, his demons, and His followers will be thrown into the pit of Hell. Every one, saved or unsaved , will bow the knee. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. His arrival will beckon a huge feast for His citizens. The table will be set and an abundance of food will be served but the greatest part of it all will be that the King, Himself, will be dining with us. Music will fill the air as we cry “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Worship will not just be a song but it will be a way of life. Everything that God has planned will be filled with wonder. First of all, we will run into the arms of Jesus, kissing His feet and face, and thanking Him for redeeming us. As if that weren’t enough to bring eternal joy- those who were once lame will be dancing before the throne. Those who had been blind will be taking in all of the beauty of heaven. Those previously unable to talk (this one is especially precious to me) will be shouting praises, singing with the choirs of angels and just talking, and talking and talking… We will not be able to be silenced. Those who were unable to hear the voices of their loved ones here on earth, will take in all of the wonderful sounds…the tender voice of their Christian mother, the strong, yet soothing voice of their faithful father. The sweetest sound will be of Jesus whispering , “Welcome home my child, welcome home.” Those whose earthly lives were filled with heartache, pain, tears, and trials will be in a place where hearts are restored, pain will be no longer, every tear will be wiped away and the light and momentary afflictions will prove to be worth their eternal weight in glory.

My friend, what a day that will be! Let the world know that Jesus is on His way… the King is coming! If you are not yet a citizen of heaven, and if Jesus is not your Lord and King, please give your life to Him. Change citizenships. Yield to Him today. No matter how shattered or broken or wicked your life has been, He will welcome you as part of His Kingdom. You will not just become a citizen of heaven but you will become a child of the King.

THE KING IS COMING! THE KING IS COMING! THE KING IS COMING!

Battered, yet still standing

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Last Sunday, at our 4th of July celebration, we watched a short video about how much our flag has been through. It has been tattered and abused; trampled on and treated as worthless. It has been through wars. People have tried to destroy, it yet it still stands proud, representing our country. How touching it was to see the depth of what it cost for our freedom.

On this independence day, I realized that there is a great parallel between what the church has been through and what our flag has been through. Just as the flag stands for America, the church stands as a symbol of the heavenly country and the One who paid the price for its freedom.

Many enemies have tried to destroy the church of God. People have been martyred, blood has been shed, homes have been destroyed, family members threatened, livelihoods have been taken away. Those on the side of evil have mocked the church of God, they have trampled it under foot, and have done everything to see it wiped out completely. They hate what it stands for and Who it stands for. Others have pledged allegiance to it, only to turn their backs on it, in the midst of the spiritual battle. Those who hate the church have shot at it from every side, yet it still stands proud; representing the heavenly country and the One who gave His everything for its freedom from sin and death. The blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church. What the enemy has meant for evil, the Lord has turned for the good.

The flag flies the highest and stands the proudest when it is at home. The horrible things it has been through were worth what it means to represent its people’s freedom. It is the same with the church of God. When we reach our heavenly country, we will then realize, even more, that the light and momentary trials have been worth the eternal weight of glory. Also we will be thankful to have represented the One who gave His all to set us free from sin.

My friend, what a day that will be when we enter eternity and are able to say to Jesus, face to face, You were worth every battle wound. Thank you for dying that I might live. I pray that I represented you well. If you have not yet pledged your allegiance to the Lamb of God, please do it while there is still time. You want to be standing on the right side when the battle is over.