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Bringing Back the King

2 Dec2017 KEHarticle TimelessTeaching// Kenneth E. Hagin

JESUS SAID He is coming again. So why does He delay? Why does Jesus tarry so long? You may not realize it, but the Church has something to do with Christ's return! Can we hasten that event? According to the Word of God we can.

In the Old Testament, Absalom rose up against his father, King David, and the king fled Jerusalem. After Absalom was killed in battle, people began asking when King David was going to return.

We are going to apply the same questions to the Son of David—the greater King, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Second Samuel 19:10–12, it was asked: Why are we not speaking about bringing the King back? Why are we silent? Why do we keep still? Why do we lag behind? Why do we procrastinate?

Another thought along the same line is: Why do we hinder the coming of the King? Is that even possible? We'll find out as we go along.

Notice the following scripture: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain" (James 5:7). It's obvious that the Lord is waiting. He hasn't come. But what is He waiting for? James is talking about an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He's talking about the precious fruit of the earth, the gathering of souls, revival!

In Second Peter chapter 3, we see that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but that He (v. 9). He then challenges us to live holy, "looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God" (v. 12). Can we hasten the coming of the Lord? Yes, emphatically yes!
We see God's love bestowed in making us the sons of God in First John 3:1–3. Verses 2–3 say, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him. . . . and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." What hope is this scripture talking about? Our being like Him and the Lord coming for the Body of Christ.

And then Paul writes about that moment, which is what we call the Rapture.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:16–17

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The only qualification for making the Rapture is to be "dead in Christ." How do you get into Christ? By being born again. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. 5:17).

How do we hasten the Lord's coming?

Number One: See to it that we are ready! Not only are we to be in Christ but also have pure, godly lives. "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself" (1 John 3:3).

Number Two: We hasten His coming by telling the story of Jesus worldwide! "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).

What could be any clearer? We are going to hasten the coming of the Lord by preaching the Gospel in every nation. And it's not a watered down message. It's the new birth, the blood of Jesus, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, faith, and healing.

Are we obeying Jesus' last command? "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

Preach the good news about Jesus! And if we can't go, we can send others. By supporting missionaries and those that are going, we're hastening the coming of the Lord.

The Significance of Praise

Who were the first to welcome and bring back King David? If you read the full account in Second Samuel chapter 19, you'll find that it was the tribe of Judah (v. 15). There is significance here! Judah means "praise." It was a tribe of praise that led the way. It's going to be the tribe of praise that brings Jesus back. We're members of that tribe!

In the Old Testament, we see examples of how Judah led in the great battles of the Lord and won the greatest victories. In particular, Second Chronicles 20:1–19 gives a detailed illustration. But we see in verses 21–22 that singers were appointed to go out before the army, and when they began to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemies!

In the New Testament, Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16:22–34). It's midnight. They had been whipped. Their backs are bleeding. Their feet are in stocks. They're uncomfortable and immobile. What did they do? They prayed and sang praises. And when they did, the answer came.

It was Judah—the tribe of praise—that led the great battles and welcomed back King David. Throughout the Bible, great victories came during great praise! The same is true today. A spirit of praise should dominate our lives! As we make ourselves ready and spread the Gospel, leading the way with praise, we'll hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Editor's Note: This article was adapted from Kenneth E. Hagin's DVD Bringing Back the King.]

FAITH IN ACTION

Let's Bring Back the King!

Let's not be silent or lag behind. Let's start speaking about bringing back King Jesus! Say the following and meditate on the scriptures.

I WILL BE READY! I confess the Lord Jesus with my mouth and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, therefore I am saved (Rom. 10:9–10). Because of this hope, I purify myself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:1–3).

I WILL GO! I will take the Word and run with it! I will tell others that Jesus is coming again. I will do everything I can to spread the Gospel around the world, for then the end will come (Mark 16:15–16; Matt. 24:14). The Lord is waiting for precious souls (James 5:7).

I WILL LEAD THE WAY WITH PRAISE! I will pray and praise the way to victories and entire households will come to the Lord (2 Chron. 20:14–22; Acts 16:22–34). I am part of the "tribe of praise," welcoming and bringing back the King (2 Sam. 19:10–16).