The King is Coming

A few days ago I attended a mid-week “Gospel Music Hour” at a local church. As I entered the auditorium the stage was bustling with musicians and singers getting ready to share hymns and gospel songs suggested by church attendees in the weeks leading up to the concert. Being a musician, I was excited to see a piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, banjo, three trumpets, a trombone and a flugelhorn. This was a promising sign that a wide variety of styles would be presented. Soon the room was filled with hundreds of people singing at the top of their lungs to the familiar songs. Near the end of the program we sang a song that brought the audience to its feet in adoration and praise of the Lord. It also brought back a special memory to me. What’s the song you ask? “The King is Coming”, the popular song from the 1970’s by the Gaithers.

Many years ago, while attending a women’s retreat in the foothills of the Sierra’s, we were given an hour or so to venture out alone to have a quiet time with God. There was no bell at the retreat center to signal our return, so a “Plan B” was needed. The solution was sitting in our midst. Joyce Gafford, a wonderful lady with the voice of an angel, was asked to stand outside and sing a song to bring us back. Joyce, needing no background music, positioned herself on a hill and began singing “The King is Coming” clearly and powerfully. As I heard the words, I could easily imagine Jesus returning at any moment. It seemed the earth itself hushed in reverence at the very thought.

As I observe and experience the chaos in our world today, I have no doubt Jesus is preparing to return soon. Death, sorrow, and pain will be gone and Jesus will make His home among His people. I long to see Him in the “clouds of glory” coming to claim those who trust in Him. Yes, the King is coming!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)