New Dawning

It has been said that prophecy is less about foretelling than about forth-telling. Someone with the gift of prophecy may not predict the future at all, but he or she will declare Truth. And, whether that person speaks of the future or the present, it is always with a two-fold objective: To convict the sinner toward repentance and to encourage the faithful toward hope.

Over the years, I have found that many people hear me sing the following song and largely miss the point. It mentions things like the Rapture, the Second Coming, and the Thousand-Year Reign of Christ, so they (perhaps understandably) assume it to be a song about Last Days prophecy -- and then they try to determine where I myself stand on the various interpretations of those events. For example, am I pre-millennial, post-millennial, or amillennial? I suppose could try to claim myself 'non-opinional', but that would less than entirely honest. The truth is that I do hold to certain beliefs about the fulfilment of Last Days prophecy: First, I believe there will indeed BE fulfilment; second, I believe that this fulfilment will completely confirm Scripture; third, I believe that, to some extent, it will surprise everyone just how this confirmation plays out; and, fourth, I believe that, when the dust finally settles, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

This is not a song about the Last Days. It touches on those events merely to move past them to what comes after -- to the New Day, that Day which will never end. Because I believe that only when that Day finally dawns will it fully begin to dawn on US what it took to get us there -- what Christ really suffered on our behalf. When every knee does bow, and when every tongue confesses Him as 'Lord', it will be in part because only then will we finally, truly understand the word 'Saviour'
(Copyright © August 2007)

The Eternal Reminder

A Song by Edward Waters

(Copyright © June 1980)

(Click to hear this song.)

He said He'd be unexpected, like a thief coming at night;[1]

And, amidst the world's routine of sin,[2] the Lord burst into sight!

I recall my unimagined joy as I soared into the sky![3]

I remember, too, how I knelt in shame when He looked me in the eye.

But my Father took me in His arms and His love cast out my fear.[4]

He said, 'If I'd not forgiven you, my child, you'd not be here.

I only asked your trust and that you'd let My Spirit lead;

And though you often let Me down, your heart was set on Me.'

'I came because I love you. I died to bring you home.

I rose so you could walk with Me, nevermore to roam.

Now the pain and struggles known on Earth will fade from your recall;

But through endless time, keep in mind the price of it all.'

Then I looked beyond His outstretched hand

and I saw the world's death throes.[5]

And an instant later He had gone to defeat His ancient foe.[6]

So Jesus reigned a thousand years on Earth;[7]

and when this was through,

Heaven and Earth both passed away

and there came a world brand new![8]

Then I cried in glee,

'No more will there be any trace of sorrow or pain!'

But my Saviour shook His head and said, 'Some things remain.'

He showed to me His hands and feet and His side,

how they were scarred;

And then I knew, as never before, how much I owed my Lord.

He came because He loves me. He died to bring me home.

He rose so I could walk with Him, nevermore to roam.

Now the pain and struggles known on Earth are gone forevermore,[9]

Save the only scars that will not fade from my precious Lord;

And through endless time they will remind me what I cost my Lord.

He came because He loves me. He died to bring me home.

[1] Matthew 24.42,43
[2] Matthew 24.37-41
[3] I Thessalonians 5.17
[4] I John 4.18
[5] Revelation 8-17
[6] Revelation 17.14
[7] Revelation 20
[8] Revelation 21.11
[9] Revelation 21.4