The King is coming

I began my new series on the Book of Revelation. Much encouraged by the attendance this morning. Revelation is the most difficult book of the Bible to understand, but it should not be ignored. In Revelation, we see Jesus bring God's purposes to completion.

For this first lesson we looked at the different views, or traditional interpretations applied to this book. I cannot be dogmatic and say, who is right. Within each category there are differences of opinion, so we need to practise Christian charity when we deal with such a subject as eschatology. No one on earth has the monopoly of the truth. We need to be able to disagree without questioning each other's sincerity or spirituality.

The great theme of Revelation is the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ. He will certainly come again.

In the early church it was customary to greet one another with the word "MARANATHA" meaning "The Lord is coming soon." May we all be filled with the expectation for His Coming. In my younger days, we used to sing,

"He's coming soon, He's coming soon.
I know the Lord is coming.
It may be morn, it may be night or noon.
I know the Lord is coming soon.

After Bible class we congregated at the main hall for our worship. Major Ruth Pascoe's theme for the meeting was - "The King is coming." She spoke on the Ascension of Jesus - Luke 24: 50-53 and Acts 1: 1-11. On the bulletin she wrote "We have the promise that Jesus who has gone back to heaven will one day return. This is an important promise. It reminds us that God's plan includes an end time when all wrongs will be put right and we will rejoice as Jesus comes to reign over us Hallelujah!"

Last Thursday was Ascension Day. I wonder how many preachers preach on this subject on Sunday. I did last year at Central Corps. After the meeting, someone remarked that it was the first time he had heard anyone preach on the Ascension.