The Return Remastered - Progressive Rock   58:28

The Return Part 1  30:42

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I The Prophecies                                                                                
Before the earth was formed,
the beginning was the Word,
because God saw the fall of man
before it had occurred.

His plan of our salvation was
determined from the start,
for God’s desire none be lost
is deep within His heart.

He took on flesh to be our
perfect sacrifice for sin.
For those who don’t believe it,
where do I begin?

So many words were written of
the coming of the Lord.
A thousand years of prophecy
just can’t be ignored!

God in all His wisdom
gave history to man
so we would know the Bible’s true –                                       the proving of His plan.

For those who think the Book
is nothing more than lies,
The Jews were teaching the Tenakh*
before Christ was alive.                                                   

Take His outstretched hand.
Hunger for the Bread of Life.
Soon you’ll understand
God is always in control.
He wants the heart that seeks to know
the One to come has been revealed;
the signs fulfilled.
Our fates are sealed by faith. ______________________________________________

A descendent of Abram.
From king David’s line.
Of the tribe of Judah.
Born in Bethlehem.

Conceived in a virgin.
Taken to Egypt,
escaping King Herod’s
decree to kill infants.

Would preach the Good News of
the kingdom of God.
Minister in Galilee,
performing great miracles.

Prepared by John,
the “voice in the wilderness”.
Anointed by the Spirit as
the Savior of man.

Would enter Jerusalem
as king on a donkey.
Rejected by the Jews,
and betrayed by a friend.

Thirty silver pieces.
Silent before accusers.
Beaten, mocked and spat upon.
Crucified with thieves.

Hands and feet pierced.
Praying for His enemies.
Given gall and vinegar.
No broken bones.

Cast lots for His garments.
Buried in a rich man’s tomb.
Would rise from the dead
and sit at God’s right hand.

II The Ministry   
The Antagonists/The Passion

Antagonists:

Is he not a common man;
a prophet of such ill-respect?
Among our own, he’s healed a few,
but nothing like we would expect.

He’s made as friends mere fishermen,
tax collectors; prostitutes.
Yet he claims he’s come to save
all Israel – a “king” of Jews.

He steals our thunder with his lies.
He breaks the Law with no regard.
All these fools fall for his act
when he plays the martyr card.

He slanders us in front of all,
but keeps us from a clean attack.
He has a reputation with
his followers who watch his back.

Jesus:

But some believe and secretly
come to me escaping scorn.
But their minds just cannot grasp
what it means to be reborn.

When I’m lifted, I will draw
the weak, the strong, the rich, the poor.
Whoever shall believe in Me
will dwell with God forever more.

Antagonists:

He calls himself the son of God,
forgiving us our sins as well.
How can you think he’s not possessed?
His miracles are straight from hell.

He’s finally gone too far this time.
We’re waiting for the moment when
“Eat my flesh and drink my blood”
will be the words that do him in.

We can’t allow such blasphemy.
He’s hard to stone. He slips away.
We can’t look like we’ve lost control.
What would the Romans have to say?

We’ve found one to betray him so
he’ll have to answer to his crimes.
We’ll finally be rid of him.
It seems this “savior’s” out of time.

Jesus:

"Thy will be done. I’ll face my fate.
I have obeyed; passed all the tests.
I offer up my soul, my blood.
The world will know You gave Your best.

My God, forgive them of this sin.
They know not what they do.
is all according to you plan.
It’s finished. Praise to You!"

III The Aftermath     
   a. The Questioning/Visitation

Christ’s followers:

We thought He was the One
to save all Israel.
He said He would return.
It seems His words have failed.

Without Him, we’ve no hope;
no real authority,
political persuasion;
divine strategy.

They say a few among us
slipped past sleeping guards;
stole Him from his grave
to prove it’s all a farce.

We’ve heard amazing tales
of angels at His tomb
proclaiming He’s alive,
so what should we assume?

The women in our group
have seen Him face to face,
and others give report
of dining in His grace.

We’re hiding in this room.
Our lives are on the line.
Just as we feel forgotten,
a form begins to shine.

He suddenly appears
and shows His feet and hands
and clears our troubled minds,
so we can understand

the reason for the cross;
forgiveness of our sins.
And how His flesh must die,
so true life could begin.

For forty days He showed us
many wondrous signs,
instructing us in wisdom,
leaving doubt behind.

He told us all to wait
for power from on high
He blessed us all in love
then stood right before us
and rose to the sky.

b. The New Church/Pentecost  
In one accord, we live by faith:
possessions shared; our hope embraced.
Our rulers cannot drown our zeal.
We have a gift they cannot steal.

The more they push, the more we pray,
and God sustains us day to day.
Persecution, jail or worse
will not deter us from our course.

Heaven is the price we pay
to preach The Way.

Signs and wonders never cease.
The numbers to our cause increase.
The road’s been rough, but God’s supplied
a chosen few to gird our side.

Even Saul has seen the light,
turning pagans to our Christ.
A revelation from the Son -
Eternal life for everyone!

We remember that very night
our movement took flight:

It was the Day of Pentecost
and gathered in one place
about 120 souls
were singing psalms of praise.

When suddenly the air went still
as when a whirlwind comes.
Our hearts began to pulse
like the beating upon drums.

From heaven came the rumblings of
a loud and violent wind.
We saw what seemed to be a stream
of fire from the skies.

It separated, resting upon
our anointed minds.
And we began to speak with words
we did not recognize.

Many in the city heard
their language from our mouths,
telling of God’s mighty works;
salvation’s plan achieved.

But some of them did not believe,
so Peter testified
the promises of Jesus
had finally been received.

“The Spirit of our Lord
dwells within us now.”

IV Watch

They say it’s been two thousand years.
We’ve all believed in vain.
If history repeats itself,
then why has nothing changed?

I know within my heart of hearts
the Bible is correct;
that Jesus is returning 
to gather His elect.

So, watch with heaven’s eyes.
Watch, and you’ll be wise.

The plan of God’s unfolding
to those who see the clues.
But even they cannot foretell
the moment Christ is due.

The weak in faith will fall for lies,
because they cannot wait
when “so-called” prophets rear their heads
proclaiming times and dates.

So watch patiently.
Watch, and you’ll begin to see.

Wars and rumors ever grow,
and humans reap what humans sow.
Mother Earth will show her wrath,
destroying what is in her path.

The time of sorrows has begun –
a witness of the things to come –
the countdown of a ticking bomb.
Our fate’s no more than simple math.

Let no one beguile you,
or blur the edge of false and true.
And never let them feed your fears,
then twist the Word to please your ears.

God is good, and He’ll prepare
the heart that waits and stays aware
and tries to live the better way,
as if He were to come today.

This earth will not escape its curse.
The course we’re on can’t be reversed.
We just can’t seem to stay ahead.
A fire’s doused. Another’s spread.

But none of us are caught off guard
if we rely upon the Lord.
So turn to God with all your trust,
“cause only He can quicken us.

We are the sons and daughters
of the light of day.
We are not found sleeping
when black and white turn gray.

I pray we’ll know the difference
between the truth and lies,
when all the world will sell their souls
to fools who sound so wise.

So, watch and read the Word.
Watch and rest assured.

Let no one beguile you,
or blur the edge of false and true.
And never let them feed your fears,
then twist the Word to please your ears.

God is good, and He’ll prepare
the heart that waits and stays aware
and tries to live the better way,
as if He were to come today.

V Tribulation   
God’s Wrath/God’s Mercy/The Return of Christ  

Coming is troubling times
when the clueless world shall see
famines and disaster
greater than shall ever be.

Humankind will reach its
pinnacle of wickedness.
As the days of Noah,
none repented. None confessed.

Then will come a leader.
From the dead, he will be raised.
“Who can wage war with him?”
All the world will be amazed.

Then this beast has power,
speaking words of blasphemy;
order of deception -
the unholy trinity.

Marvel at his prophet.
He is our Messiah come.
See his signs and wonders!
Now we know he is the One.

“They bring peace and safety
that the world has never known.
We bow to his image,
as he sits on holy throne.”

“Take his mark within you
so you can fight for his cause,
turning all the Christians
over to his courts of law.”

“Who needs to be “raptured”?
His New Age will never fail.
We have all we need here.
We can even buy and sell.

Yet amidst calamity
a remnant of Israel braced
and others saved by warnings of
the wrath of God found in his grace.

God will send an angel.
He will raise up witnesses
to proclaim the gospel
giving yet another chance.

Then will come destruction
for the vile, angry ones.
Christ will fight the nations
with the sword of His own tongue.

None will have excuses,
nor have reason to complain
on that day of judgment
when the King of Kings shall reign.

Some will be rewarded.
Some will face their worst of fears.
Some - to life eternal.
Some will drown in hopeless tears.

So you say it sounds unfair.
that God could send a soul to hell.
But even in His wrath, He grieves,
for we’re the ones who send ourselves.

God has done all that He can
to show the world He’s in control.
Christ, the Word has been revealed
so every searching heart will know
His prophecies can save their soul.

_________________________________

It doesn’t matter if you think
the rapture is pre, mid or post.
Just keep the faith no matter what
‘til He returns with all His host.

We’ve read the Book. We know the end.
Who knows how long we have to share?
How many souls will come with us
and rise to meet Him in the air?

*The Tenakh is the equivalent of the Hebrew Old Testament

The Return Part Two  28:01
The practical side of preparing for the return of Christ

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I The Testing and the Blessing

I so glad I’m a believer.
I’m so glad to be an heir                      
to the riches of His kingdom
where there’ll never be despair.

On this earth, I have my troubles,
but one day I’ll live in bliss.
I can’t carry all the heartache
from a life I’ll never miss.

As long as I keep running
to win the victor’s crown,
I know the Lord will lift me up
when I keep falling down.

He’s knows I’m only human,
and my weakness is His strength
when I surrender to His will,
no matter what I think.

But help me, sweet Jesus.
Sometimes I don’t let go.

And when I run into a wall,
I grimace and I shout.
I tend to want to take control.
and try to work things out.

I resort to my own logic,
and His power is denied.
When all the while, He’s watching all
His blessings pass me by.

So, I’m looking to the day
when the King of Kings shall come.
And I pray that He will have His way –
His work in me be done.

The battle of the natures will
be thrown into the fire.
But until then, I pray for faith
to tame my self desires.

Help me, sweet Jesus.
Sometimes, I just can’t let go.
_____________________________

The testing and the blessing is
the way He builds our faith.
We can grow from the experience,
or let it go to waste.

We can praise Him in the worst of times,
or let our hearts grow cold.
We can close our eyes to Heaven,
or watch His plan unfold.

He lets us walk the desert, so
we can learn from our mistakes.
And when we prove our trust, He turns
the sand dunes into lakes.

The sun can bring relentless heat,
or chase the dark away.
In either case, it’s how we face
the lesson of the day.

Oh Lord, my God,
forgive me my sins.
Cleanse me and strengthen
my soul from within.

I am Your servant,
and I want to please.
See me, my Savior.
I’m down on my knees.

So, when I feel helpless,
I remember my pain
can’t compare to the scope
of my glorious hope.

Yes, when I feel down,
I just look to the sky
and know that one day,
this will all pass away.

Without the lows, there’d be no highs –
no reason for a prayer –
no answer to appreciate.
To what would we compare?

With every tribulation comes
a way for an escape.
The Word has all the tools we need
to bend us into shape.

And in His perfect timing,
He will bring all to pass.
Before we were born,
He knows what we’ll ask.

Those He loves He challenges,
so all may be as one,
prepared in expectation for 
the coming of His Son.

So, when I feel helpless,
I remember my pain
can’t compare to the scope
of my glorious hope.

Yes, when I feel down,
I just look to the sky
and know that one day,
this will all pass away.

II Divine Strength

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.                Romans 5:1-5

Three times, I pleaded with the Lord to take this thorn in the flesh away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses,   in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

                                                    II Corinthians 12:8-10

Don’t you feel so lost.
Don’t just try and hide.
Face your fears with trust.
The Lord is on your side.

He died for all our sins.
He understands our tests.
He’ll give us all the strength
we need to fight our flesh.

How difficult it is
to sacrifice our wills.
The vessel that’s poured                                      
is the vessel that is filled.

Grace is always there
for the humble soul,
and God can make a diamond
from a lump of coal.

Prayer brings assurance.
Faith brings endurance.
Weakness; perfection –
Christ-like reflection.

Total surrender.
Proven defender.
Spiritual fitness.
Powerful witness.

God wants us to be
soldiers of his Word;
strong in our conviction,
positively heard.

Even in distress,
be full of thanks and praise.
Let the Holy Spirit
ease our troubled days.

Don’t you whip your back
when you slip or fall.
Know we’re only humans.
It happens to us all.

Take the weight of shame
to your Lord above.
Don’t let Satan tell you
you’re no longer loved.

Ask God for power,
strength for the hour,
Joy in the valleys,
light in dark alleys.

Free from depression –
you’re his possession.
Evil impeded,
one day defeated.

III The Witness  

I’d love to tell my story,
but I know it may sound odd.
And I fear I’ll just be begging for a fight.

After all, so many others claim
they know the way to God,
I’m just another voice that thinks they’re right.

I have reason to be timid,
‘cause I’ll stumble in my words,
and I’ll confuse receptive open minds.

I want to give my best that
every seeking heart deserves,
‘cause people who will hear are hard to find.

God:

You can lose sight of My power and might,
so I understand your concerns.
But I stand beside you to teach and to guide you,
if you read, pray, listen and learn.

I want to shoot off fireworks of wisdom in the air.
I want to quote the scriptures in a blaze.
But even though my words of eloquence may sound so fair,
They still don’t have the power it takes to save.

So I’ll be all things to everyone,
and meet them where they are.
I’ll never judge the outcome of their sins.

Remembering there was a time
that I was just like them
before I chose the path where life begins.

God:

Never lose sight of My power and might.
I chose you to serve from the start.
I gave you your mind hoping you’d find
only I can transform someone’s heart.

And don’t compromise My truth with the lies
by dangling bait from the world.
When it goes away, their faith starts to stray,
and the soul forgets all that it’s heard.

IV The Scoffers

Christianity’s a joke –
a way to get your ego stroked –
a pious command to provoke.
Guilt for sale.

How can your great god above
punish those who live in love?
All of us have had enough
talk about your hell.

You must do this, but can’t do that.
You’re in a maze, just like a rat.
You have two outs. You’re up to bat.
Feel the squeeze.

None of you seem to agree
on which dogma you should believe,
and you expect us to perceive
unity.

We believe in common sense –
scientific evidence –
secular coincidence.
Use your brain.

Join us on the other side.
The path is straight. The road is wide.
Your mortal needs can’t be denied.
Break the chain.
_____________________________

Running with our blinders on.
Looking out for number one.
Nothing new under the sun.
We will survive.

We won’t give into faith
‘less it’s in the human race.
We may be losing face,
but we’re still alive.

We’re ready for whatever comes,
so we’ll beat upon our drums.
Let the others eat our crumbs.
We’ll have our way.

Let the so-called prophets cry
in the streets that we shall die
if we don’t believe their lie.
Live for today!
______________________________

The end is coming to your line.
You’re getting weaker all the time.
Even we can see the signs
you’re withering away.

But some of you are getting smart,
appealing to the human heart.
Instead of all that scripture, start
a whole new kind of age.

V The Victory

Don’t you be dismayed.
Don’t give up your fight,
because we have all power
through our Lord, the Christ.

The prince of this domain
may wear his crown for now.
But even his effect
is what God has allowed.

Don’t you know reward
is on its way to you?
But till that day shall come,
there’re things we need to do.

Share His love and joy.
Live in confidence that He’ll
pierce the hearts of souls
and move them to repent.

In the end, we’ll rise –
join Him with new eyes
face to face shining
in perfect timing.

No more tears. No pain.
With Him, we will reign –
hear all His host sing
a new beginning.
______________________________

We pray for souls,
the hearts that He’ll mend.
Thank God for His mercy
as time nears its end.

So, we will not choose
the world, but the Lord.
Our mansions await us
as Heaven’s reward.

We surrender our lives
to God’s perfect plan –
take the bad with the good
knowing we’re in His hands.

What trials we’ll face.
What lessons we’ll learn.
What faith will endure ‘til
the day He returns?