The Message from Christ The King Sunday, November 21, 2021

 

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 21, 2021

This week's guest speaker: Rev. Patricia Rainey

Scripture Readings

John 18:33-37, NIV

33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Revelation 1:4b-8, NIV

4b Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The Message
from Rev. Patricia Rainey

CHRIST THE KING

When I was a college student, I did a lot of music with marching bands.

I helped to create and arrange half time shows that the bands performed at football games.

I had just become a Christian and was fascinated that the Bible said that Jesus is coming again in white clouds.

On one of our outdoor rehearsals, I looked up and saw clouds.

I thought about the scripture and when I looked at the band, they were all looking up to see what I was seeing.

Revelation 19:14 says that the armies in heaven follow him upon white horses, clothed in fine linin, white and clean.

That means that we, his redeemed ones follow him dressed in white. Sometimes in the scripture, clouds mean groups of people.

He comes back to earth as a king to rule with us, his saints- to rule as our king.

Revelation 1:7 in the New International Readers Version of the Bible says “Look! He is coming with the clouds!”[1]

“Every eye will see him.” [2]

“Even those who pierced him” will see him. [3]

This will really happen.

Then it goes on to say "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,” says the Lord God.[4]

I am the One “who is, and who was, and who will come.”[5]

“I am the Mighty” One.”[6]

The voice said “All throughout the Bible scriptures tell us that Jesus is coming again.

John says in Revelation 1:9, “I was on the island of Patmos because I taught God's Word and what Jesus said.”[7]

Then it goes on to say, “I heard a loud voice behind me that sounded like a trumpet.”[8]

“Write on a scroll what you see.” [9]

“Send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor.”[10]

In John 18, which was read this morning, Jesus affirms that he is King and that his kingdom is not of this world.[11]

Jesus is coming back...as a king!

Revelation paraphrased says, time is just about up...I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province.

All the best to you from the God who is, the God who was, and the God who is about to arrive.

Remember, the Bible unlocks itself.

When we don't understand something, it reveals itself as events happen and then we understand.

In First Thessalonians, chapter 4, verses 16-18 in the Bible says:

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven”[12] with a cry of command with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.

And “the dead in Christ will rise first.”[13]

“Then we who are alive,” who are left, “and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”[14]

So, we call “always be with the Lord.” [15]

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”[16]

This is a message of hope.

God knows everything.

He is not surprised at what you are going through today.

He has been with you from your conception throughout your whole life and is with you even now.

“He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”[17]

I will close with part of Revelation 21 which says:

“The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself shall be with them and be their God.”[18]

“It is done...I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.”[19]

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things”[20]

“Behold, I am come quickly, and My reward is with Me.[21]

“Surely, I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”[22]

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

[1] Revelation 1:7, NIRV

[2] Ibid.

[3] Revelation 1:7, NIRV

[4] Revelation 22:13, NIRV

[5] Revelation 1:8, NIRV

[6] Ibid.

[7] Revelation 1:9, NIRV

[8] Revelation 1:10b, NIRV

[9] Revelation 1:11, NIRV

[10] Ibid.

[11] John 18:36, NIV

[12] 1 Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV

[13] Ibid.

[14] 1 Thessalonians 4:17, NKJV

[15] Ibid.

[16] 1 Thessalonians 4:18, NKJV

[17] Revelation 17:14, KNJV

[18] Revelation 21:3, NKJV

[19] Revelation 21:6, NKJV

[20] Revelation 21:7, NKJV

[21] Revelation 22:12, NKJV

[22] Revelation 22:20, NKJV