Back when I was a teenager, there was a popular song that Larry Norman wrote and recorded. We even sang it in church: It was called “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” There was a sense that the “blessed hope” of the church (Titus 2:13), the appearing of our Saviour to catch his church away to Heaven, could be any moment. It inspired us to reach the lost with passion and compassion.
Some thirty-five years later, we are still singing about the imminent return of Jesus. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can’t help but long to be with him as a bride waits for her bridegroom. One could argue that we used to sing songs about The Coming King because of the age of apocalyptic fears, but that would not be a true conclusion. We sing about the return of Jesus Christ because we are in love with our Saviour.
He is so incredibly wonderful and he patiently waits for all to respond to his love. Like the disciples who stood gazing into the sky, we eagerly wait for his return. (Acts 1:11) With Paul the Apostle, we “set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth”. (Colossians 3:2) He goes on to say, “you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory”. (Colossians 3:3,4)
The church does not watch for the Antichrist. In fact the Bible is clear that we are looking for “our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus”. (Titus 2:13) We worship Jesus by loving his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8) and by watching for him like a Jewish bride* (Matthew 25:13) The songs we sing reflect that worship. We celebrate not only his advent, his death, and his resurrection, but also his return.
I will never forget standing at the altar. The music began and everyone stood. Then I saw her: Carole. She came toward me. My heart was beating so loud that I thought everyone could hear it, and then we were married. Every time we worship Jesus Christ the bridegroom, we do so with the expectation that our King will call us away. Our single heart of love cries “Amen. Come Lord Jesus”. (Revelation 22:21)
When I was a teen, many songs celebrated the imminent coming of the one who is so dazzling that he out-shines the brilliance of the sun. (Revelation 21:23) Songs by Larry Norman, 2nd Chapter Of Acts, Randy Stonehill, Keith Green, Barry McGuire, and many, many more, let the world know that there is one who loves them and is coming for His Bride.
I pray that we will hear more songs trumpeting Jesus Christ, The Coming King.
* http://www.oasistradepost.com/Weddings_/weddings_.html We appreciate your Comments