WORSHIP REFLECTIONS are weekly devotionals based on worship songs/hymns. Our hope is that this content encourages your love and adoration of Christ Jesus as you grow in closer communion with Him through personal worship.
Jonathan Powers, Assistant Professor of Worship Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, presents this worship song devotional based on the hymn "O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done?".
It would be a lot simpler if we knew the exact date and time of Christ’s return, wouldn’t it? That way, we could live our lives recklessly and without restraint right up to the time of His return, repent of our sins, and still reap the reward of heaven. But that was not God’s plan. Jesus stated in Mark 13:32-33 “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
In 1947 at the onset of the Atomic Age, a group of atomic scientists endeavored to create a Doomsday Clock. Their hypothesis was that by studying the world’s nuclear risks and climate changes, they could determine the ultimate threat to human existence: a man-made global disaster. Midnight on the clock represents the hour of irrevocable disaster and global destruction. The original setting of the clock in 1947 was seven minutes till midnight. The clock is reassessed each January. In January 2022, the clock was set for the third consecutive year at 100 minutes to midnight! Well, as analytical and scientific as these atomic scientists are, according to the Gospel of Mark, these people know…nothing!
What first attracted me to Jordan Feliz’s song, “Jesus Is Coming Back,” was the driving, upbeat rhythm; however, that alone is no criteria for judging if a worship song “makes the cut” for inclusion in one of my worship sets. I must analyze the lyrics to ascertain if the song aligns with the Word of God!
The song introduction repeats four times the message “We know that He’s coming back!” This voices to the Believer that he or she can be certain of Christ’s return! Revelations 1:7a states that “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him…” In Revelations 20:12, Jesus himself states “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” So we can be sure Jesus IS coming back!
Verse One dedicates a few lines to describe the current chaos of the world, such as:
“Have you ever thought the world has kinda lost it way” and “It doesn’t scare me, it’s temporary.” Then it jumps to the promise of redemption with “We got forever” and “Our help is on the way.”
The chorus reassures the Believer that Jesus IS coming back and we should be celebrating even though the world is getting more and more complicated. “Keep on celebrating” because we have a promise of his return!
I love Verse Two! “Gotta stay wake ‘cause nobody knows the day or time. The trumpet’s gonna blow and the skies are gonna open wide.” This is a poetic reinforcement of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “ 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.” Now THAT’S cause for celebration, isn’t it?
The message and admonition of the song lies in the bridge and song conclusion:
“Are you ready? Are you ready?
People get ready! People get ready!”
And my word to you today is “Yeah, let’s get ready!”