Christ Our Coming King

In the late 1800s, a New York journalist asked a theologian named A.B. Simpson if he knew when Christ was coming back to earth. "Yes," replied Simpson, "and I will tell you if you promise to print what I say, references and all." The reporter agreed. "Then put this down: ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto the nations; and then shall the end come' (Matthew 24:14). Have you written the reference?" The reporter lowered his pencil and said, "I think I begin to see the daylight. I see the motivation and the motive power in this movement." "Then," replied Simpson, "You see more than some of the doctors of divinity."

We have a coming King. The story of Jesus Christ is an incomplete picture if we stop at the manger. We must move beyond His first visit to earth to His second coming. His Kingship can only be understood in light of His second coming. This month, we will celebrate His coming as a tender Lamb of God. But one day He will come as the Lion of the tribe of Judah—our King! And in this character of God, we find much of our motive. Our motive for what?, you might ask. It is our motive to share the gospel and our motive to live pure lives.

Titus 2:11–13 says, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Our belief in His second return should, in part, shape our lifestyle. It makes this world less attractive because we are looking forward to the new earth that will be ruled by our King. It makes us want to talk about Him and prepare others, because He can't come until everyone has heard the gospel.

I was at the last crusade that Billy Graham ever preached in Flushing Meadows, New York City. He said, "For years, every time I came to New York through LaGuardia Airport, I would pass a graveyard on the way down to Times Square. I don't know what the name of it is, but there are graveyards all over New York and those graves are going to be opened if they are people who knew Christ as their Lord and Savior. And those who are left here that are still living are going to join them. Where? In the air—on our way to heaven."

Are you ready for Christ our coming King?