Jesus is King

Jesus is KingBy The Right-Wing Teen

In case you somehow missed it, Kanye West finally released his much-anticipated and long-delayed ninth studio album, Jesus Is King, to much controversy. No surprise there, as that’s been his MO for most of his career. But this time it’s because it’s a Christian gospel album – no profanity or explicit lyrics!

Since the album was released on October 25, 2019, both the secular music world and the Christian world have been abuzz with speculation about Kanye’s new faith, sound, direction, and message. I must admit, I was skeptical at first. But after listening to his songs, hearing his testimony at Lakewood Church, and seeing clips from his Sunday Service – which has all the energy of a revival! – I’m convinced that his faith is for real.

Like him or not, Kanye is certainly doing what God commands us to do – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Think about it, how many people in your church actually go out and evangelize? Meanwhile, Kanye is reaching millions around the world.

THE ALBUM

Kanye vowed to only produce Christian hip hop after his born-again experience, and Jesus Is King is a hip hop album that features a significant gospel influence. In fact, West said that the purpose of Jesus Is King is to preach the Gospel. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, and all eleven songs charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jesus Is King became the first album ever to take all top ten spots on both the “Hot Christian Songs” and “Hot Gospel Songs” charts. It broke another record by simultaneously topping five separate charts: the all-genre Billboard 100, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums charts, Top Christian Albums, and Top Gospel Albums.

Jesus Is King was #1 on Apple Music in 90+ countries, #1 on Spotify, and #1 on Amazon. With 210 million streams worldwide, the name of Jesus is being lifted up everywhere! #JesusIsKing was even the #1 trending hashtag on Twitter.

THE FILM

On September 29, 2019, it was announced that IMAX and Kanye West were going to release a short experimental concert film that had been made in the summer of 2019 at Roden Crater, visionary artist James Turrell’s never-before-seen installation in Arizona’s Painted Desert. The name of the film is Jesus Is King, just like the album.

Directed by creative fashion photographer Nick Knight, the 31-minute film features West’s gospel-rap choir group (dressed in Kanye’s own line of Yeezy clothing), along with artsy cinematography and Bible verses in an awe-inspiring setting. Describing the film, Kanye said: “We’re here to spread the gospel. I’m not here for your entertainment. I’m an evangelist, so my music, my films, every conversation, every room I go in, we’re here to save souls, save you from eternal damnation. I use art to make believers.”

THE LYRICS

Jesus Is King is a record-breaking masterpiece; it may be the best Christian album ever made. Sure, some other singers are more talented, but for biblically-based music that appeals to the masses, Kanye’s album is a major accomplishment. Not only does it transcend genres, it cuts to the core of what’s important, nothing wishy-washy about it.

Here is a sampling of my favorite verses…

SELAH

They say the week start on Monday
But the strong start on Sunday
Won’t be in bondage to any man
John 8:33
We the descendants of Abraham
Ye should be made free
John 8:36
To whom the son set free is free indeed
He saved a wretch like me

ON GOD

When I thought the Book of Job was a job
The Devil had my soul, I can’t lie
Life gonna have some lows and some highs
Before the Grammy’s ever gave a nod
I wore my heart on my sleeve, I couldn’t hide
In ’03, they told me not to drive
I bleached my hair for every time I could’ve died
But I survived, that’s on God
I’ve been tellin’ y’all since ’05
The greatest artist restin’ or alive
That’s no Jive, that’s on God

EVERYTHING WE NEED

What if Eve made apple juice?
You gon’ do what Adam do?
Or say, “Baby, let’s put this back on the tree” ’cause
We have everything we need

CLOSED ON SUNDAY

Closed on Sunday, you’re my Chick-fil-A
Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A
Hold the selfies, put the ’Gram away
Get your family, y’all hold hands and pray
When you got daughters, always keep ’em safe
Watch out for vipers, don’t let them indoctrinate
Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A
You’re my number one, with the lemonade
Raise our sons, train them in the faith
Through temptations, make sure they’re wide awake
Follow Jesus, listen and obey
No more livin’ for the culture, we nobody’s slave

JESUS IS LORD

Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Lord

WATER

Jesus, flow through us
Jesus, heal the bruises
Jesus, clean the music
Jesus, please use us
Jesus, please help
Jesus, please heal
Jesus, please forgive
Jesus, please reveal
Jesus, give us strength
Jesus, make us well
Jesus, help us live
Jesus, give us wealth
Jesus is our safe
Jesus is our rock
Jesus, give us grace
Jesus, keep us safe

GOD IS

Everything that hath breath praise the Lord
Worship Christ with the best of your portions
I know I won’t forget all He’s done
He’s the strength in this race that I run
Every time I look up, I see God’s faithfulness
And it shows just how much He is miraculous
I can’t keep it to myself, I can’t sit here and be still
Everybody, I will tell ’til the whole world is healed
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all the things He has in store
From the rich to the poor, all are welcome through the door
You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name
Listen to the words I’m sayin’, Jesus saved me, now I’m sane
And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up
I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup
I know God is alive, yeah
He has opened up my vision
Giving me a revelation
This ain’t ’bout a dead religion
Jesus brought a revolution
All the captives are forgiven
Time to break down all the prisons
Every man, every woman
There is freedom from addiction
Jesus, You have my soul
Sunday Service on a roll
All my idols, let ’em go
All the demons, let ’em know
This a mission, not a show
This is my eternal soul
This my kids, this the crib
This my wife, this my life
This my God-given right
Thank You, Jesus, won the fight

USE THIS GOSPEL

Use this gospel for protection
It’s a hard road to Heaven
We call on Your blessings
In the Father, we put our faith
King of the kingdom
Our demons are tremblin’
Holy angels defendin’
In the Father, we put our faith

HANDS ON

Told the devil that I’m going on a strike
Told the devil when I see him, on sight
I’ve been working for you my whole life
Told the devil that I’m going on a strike
I’ve been working for you my whole life
Nothing worse than a hypocrite
Change, he ain’t really different
He ain’t even try to get permission
Ask for advice and they dissed him
Said I’m finna do a gospel album
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it feel like nobody love me
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Feelin’ like nobody love me

Told people God was my mission
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it feel like nobody love me
Make you feel alone in the dark and you’ll never see the light
Man, you’re never seein’ home and you never see the domes
I can feel it when I write, point of livin’ in the right
If they only see the wrongs, never listen to the songs
Just to listen is a fight, but you booked me for the fight
It’s so hard to get along if they only see the slight
From the love of religion
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it seem like nobody love me

Only if they knew what I knew, uh
I was never new ’til I knew of
True and living God, Yeshua
The true and living God
(Somebody pray for me)

I deserve all the criticism you got
If that’s all the love you have, that’s all you got
To sing of change, you think I’m joking
To praise His name, you ask what I’m smoking
Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah
But I have a request, you see
Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me
Please, pray for me


BUY THE MP3 ALBUM ON AMAZON

Kanye obviously poured his heart and soul into this one. Let’s hope and pray he stays strong in the Lord and continues making gospel albums. Imagine someone as influential as Kanye impacting the culture for Christ!

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