The Return of the King

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. ACTS 1:11

Derek Prince lived most of his life with his eyes on the horizon. He believed, with the whole of historic Christianity, that Jesus Christ will return in person, in glory, to raise the dead, judge the world and establish His kingdom. He believed, more particularly, that the events of his own century — above all the return of the Jewish people to their land — showed that the return was drawing near. He taught on the subject often, and he treated it not as a puzzle for the curious but as a summons to readiness and to work. This chapter sets out that summons, and the humility the subject requires.

The blessed hope

Prince began, as always, with what Scripture plainly says. The angels at the ascension promised that the same Jesus who went into heaven would come again in like manner. Paul describes the Lord descending with a shout, the dead in Christ rising, and the living caught up to meet Him.

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: 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. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16–17

This is not a peripheral doctrine. The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement, as chapter four noted, belong among the foundations of the faith. Prince believed that a church which has stopped expecting its Lord has lost something essential — not only a doctrine but a posture. Paul calls it the blessed hope.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. TITUS 2:13

Hope that purifies

Prince was not interested in the return of Christ as a subject for speculation. He was interested in what it does to those who wait for it. John says plainly that every one who has this hope purifies himself.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 JOHN 3:2–3

A believer who truly expects to see Christ will not be careless about his life. He will not hold on to hidden sin, nurse old grudges, or live for possessions that will not survive the fire. Peter draws the same conclusion.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. 2 PETER 3:11–12

Work to be finished

Prince laid particular emphasis on one verse, and it gave his eschatology a practical edge. Jesus said that the gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then the end would come.

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. MATTHEW 24:14

Prince took this to mean that the church has a part to play in the timing of the Lord’s return. Its task is not to sit and wait, but to finish the work. That is why his own long ministry in old age was so busy: teaching, broadcasting, translating, travelling. He believed that every language into which the gospel was carried brought the day nearer. Whatever one makes of the precise theology, the practical conclusion is sound. The servant whom the master finds working when he returns is the one who is blessed.

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. LUKE 12:43

Israel and the signs

Prince also believed that the regathering of the Jewish people to their land was one of the clearest signs that the return of Christ was near. Chapter eleven set out that view and the different view held by many other Christians. It is enough here to say that believers on both sides share the hope of Christ’s coming; they differ on how to read the signs.

Humility about times and seasons

And that is where caution is needed, because no subject in Christian history has produced more embarrassment than prophetic speculation. Date-setters have come and gone in every generation. Confident identifications of the Antichrist, of the beast, of the final war, have been made and quietly forgotten. Some believers have sold their property; others have abandoned the ordinary duties of life; many have been disillusioned. Jesus Himself closed the door on this.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. MATTHEW 24:36

When the disciples asked Him whether He would now restore the kingdom to Israel, He answered that it was not for them to know the times or the seasons, and turned them instead to their task of witness. Prince, for all his interest in prophecy, generally kept to this discipline; he did not set dates. His readers should do the same. Paul warned the Thessalonians not to be shaken in mind by reports that the day had already come. Excitement about prophecy is not the same as readiness for Christ.

Even so, come

The end of the story is not a chart of events but a Person, and a world made new.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. REVELATION 21:4

Prince died in Jerusalem, in his sleep, still expecting the King. That is how every believer should live and die: not anxious, not speculating, but ready, and working, and longing.

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. REVELATION 22:20

FOR REFLECTION AND ACTION

1. Ask yourself honestly whether you expect to see Jesus. How would your week look different if you did?

2. Read 1 John 3:1–3 and identify one thing in your life you would not want to be doing when He comes. Deal with it now.

3. Give time, prayer or money this month to the work of carrying the gospel to a people who have not yet heard it.

4. If you have been caught up in prophetic speculation, set it aside for a season and give the time to prayer and service instead.

5. Pray the last prayer of the Bible — Even so, come, Lord Jesus — every day this week, and notice what it does to your desires.

A PRAYER

Lord Jesus, You are coming again. I believe it, but I confess that I have often lived as though You were not.

Purify me by this hope. Take out of my life whatever I would be ashamed of in Your presence, and make me ready.

Give me a share in the work of carrying Your gospel to every nation, and keep me faithful at my post until You come.

Guard me from idle speculation and from fear. Fill me instead with longing. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.