THE MAN COMES AROUND

There was a John in days past

There was a man named John. Born to Zachariah and Elizabeth. He lived some 2,000 years ago, rejecting the trappings that this world offered.

His calling in life – to be a signpost. For what or for who? His mission, a call to repent and believe in a man but not just any man. The Man. He proclaimed, The Messiah promised from days of old is coming…. in fact He is here, now!

This John was known as John the Baptist. He was not the Messiah, yet he was called to baptize the Messiah in the Jordan River. His name, Yeshua (Jesus).

There is a John in our day

In our day there was another man called John. Born in 1932 to poor American cotton farmers, Ray and Carrie. His name. Johnny Cash.

For me, he also was one called to be a signpost for The Man. Johnny’s life was one of great trial and contradictions. Yet he firmly held to a faith in Yeshua (Jesus).

He wrote and sang many gospel songs throughout his life.

The Man Comes Around is the title to a song he wrote not long before his death in 2003.

For me the words of the song are very stark – eerily speaking to our day and what lies ahead:

What do some song lyrics mean for me?

Johnny speaks of The Man who comes around. This is Yeshua (Jesus), risen and coming back to gather His Own and judge the deniers. He is Taking Names, Freeing those who believe in Him and Blaming those who do not.

The Golden Ladder reminds me of Jacob having a dream of a ladder from earth to heaven, where The Lord stood above it, proclaiming to Jacob a blessing – The Land of Israel and that his descendants will be as the dust of the earth.

You do not want to end up in The Potter’s Ground, reminiscent of the final destiny for betraying apostle, Judas Iscariot.

Voices calling, Voices crying. For me, terror in the hearts of all who through life, dismissed The Man, and now the wages of sin, are due.

Some are Born and Some are Dying. I think Johnny is speaking of Yeshua’s words to Nicodemus that you must be born of the Spirit, that is born again. If not, then you are literally dying and only eternal death awaits.

Alpha and Omega’s Kingdom Come The Man who is the First and the Last, and The King of kings is coming to gather His Own to the kingdom He has prepared.

The Whirlwind is in the Thorn Trees. A dramatic analogy of coming divine judgment in the storm and ruin and desolation depicted through the thorn trees.

Armageddon, No Shalom. Johnny speaks of Armageddon, that great final world battle, then uses the Hebrew word, Shalom, to warn there will be No Peace (Shalom) for the rebels.

Another sombre warning for the wicked, yet encouragement for the faithful. Both the Unjust and Filthy continue still in their ways while the Righteous and Holy remain committed to their Messiah.

Johnny sings of the virgins trimming their wicks. Consider Yeshua’ wedding feast analogy in the 25th chapter of Matthew. The five wise virgins had oil to fill their lamps when they ran low. Not so, the five foolish virgins. Oil speaks of being filled with the Spirit of God and the lamp being the Word of God which will shed light in the final days.

Listen to The Words Long Written Down. The Bible is God’s love letter to a fallen World. An escape plan with only One way out – Yeshua, the Son of God and the One who rides on the white horse highlighted in the 19th chapter of Revelation. Not the deceiver who sits on the white horse in the 6th chapter – a depiction of the coming son of perdition.