GOSPEL TRUTH: The Ultimate Royal Event
It Will Eclipse All Others!
Driving in South Yorkshire one day in June 1987, I was surprised suddenly to come across a series of special road signs displaying the message, Royal Visitors – This Way. Not having followed the local news in Sheffield, I was curious to discover who was visiting the area – and it didn’t take long to find out that Prince Charles was participating in the celebrations of a well-established country hospital. Crowds filled the hospital grounds, each person hoping to catch a glimpse of the future king. At length the Prince appeared with his entourage, and for a few brief moments we watched as he walked the short distance to the gleaming red Wessex helicopter of the Queen’s Flight, before he was whisked away to an unknown destination.
Never before had I been so close to the Prince of Wales, so I felt pleased that I was in the right place at the right time. Doubtless many others, like myself, had not followed the news and had missed the event altogether.
SOMETHING GREATER
A greater “Royal Event” is soon to take place, and yet many people in the world today remain totally unaware. Another Prince is coming. He is “the Prince of Peace” and is also the “King of kings”. (1) The Bible tells us that “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven…” (2) Jesus Christ, once rejected in Jerusalem, cast out, and nailed to a cross, will come to this earth again.
At His return He will not travel alone – as Royal visitors often do today – but will take all those who love Him to be with Him in Heaven for ever. Jesus said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (3) Will you be among the number at that “Royal Event”?
WATCH AND BE READY!
The Bible also teaches that Jesus Christ will reign upon this earth as King and introduce an era of peace never known before. (4) Knowing how easily we can forget these coming great events, Jesus gave us this clear warning:- “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (5) He is coming! We do not know when, but we must be ready!
What does it mean to be ready? It means that we believe the Lord Jesus shed His blood to cleanse us, and we have asked Him to forgive us through His death on the cross. When forgiven, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (6) and can face the future with confidence, knowing that when Jesus comes we shall go to be with Him for ever.
THE COMING KING
World events indicate that the King of kings will soon be returning. Jesus told a story of some who were ready and some who were not, in Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 25. When He returns, those who are ready will go “in with Him” to Heaven, but for those not ready the door will be firmly shut. (7) God’s door of invitation is still open, and the Lord Jesus is willing to save you – but you must come now.
“Come and welcome, whosoever will,”
‘Tis the Saviour’s gracious call;
He is able, willing, waiting now to save,
Simply trust Him, that is all.
END NOTES:- (1)Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 19:16. (2)1 Thessalonians 4:16. (3)John 14:3. (4)Isaiah 2:1-4; 11:1-9. (5)Matthew 24:42. (6)Romans 5:1. (7)Matthew 25:10.