Where will it all end?

Jesus Christ will come again
– as He went He will return.
All will see Him, own Him King,
Alpha and Omega – Come!
Totally transform the earth:
no more illness, no more death,
all that’s evil, bad remove:
just and holy, God of love.

Jesus Christ, the First and Last
came before to save and call.
Soon, when time of grace is past
He will come again, we all
at His throne will meet the Judge
whose assessments none can fudge:
in His book is listed those
who His gift of pardon chose.

Do not fear earth’s ruination
– war, destruction, detonation
– bombs –, or greed, manipulation,
electronic domination,
poison, climate hot, pollution.
Rather fear just condemnation –
pray His pardon and redemption,
trust Him for your preservation.

Tune: 77 77 77 77 eg ‘Humility’ by John Goss (tune of ‘See amid the winter snow’) last stanza has a syllable hanging at the end of each line to squeeze in!

The Kingdom of heaven

The King had come, His Kingdom was at hand.
The access-sacrifice was planned.
*So Satan tried to scupper, spoil, seduce –
See Jesus satan’s craft refuse.
Glory to God – His Word, the Kingdom’s Guide,
and trust Him, in His will abide.

Befriend, and bow the knee, accept His rule:
Awake, no longer play the fool!
It is good news, indeed it’s glorious –
He came to purchase life for us,
and in His service there is freedom true,
fulfilling work for me and you.

Learn of Him, He is gentle, kind and strong.
He knows our weariness, we long
to be more like Him – we’ll be hated too
as He was – He will see us through,
and what we gain is of infinite worth
– don’t choose instead vain gifts of earth.
Tune: 10 8 10 8 10 8
(*see Matthew 4:1-11)

Sure hope of a world free from …

Our world has beauty,
but viruses ravage;
much love and kindness,
but sins hurt and damage.
Our world is sustained,
provisioned, protected,
its Maker is caring,
though scorned and rejected.

He’s wise to warn us,
instructing our ignorance;
he tells of judgement,
but also deliverance,
revealing mercy,
love, pardon – abundance:
his rule acknowledge,
with truthful repentance.

A new beginning
with viruses, hatred
removed – we’re longing
that such be created.
But could we go there
without contributing
ill tempers fouling
that new place polluting?

King Jesus came here
as baby – he only
could live life perfect
– unique in all history,
so he would suffer
as substitute for us,
and we could be cleansed for
that place with no virus.

Ingatherings

The harvesters have gathered crops
to fill the factories, barns and shops
with food for everyone of us
and we should pray with thankfulness.
     All safely gathered in once more
     to eat, enjoy, or safely store.

Christ said one day he will return
and all his followers gather in
– those who already passed through death,
and those still living here on earth.
     All safely gathered in with him
     for his new earth that’s free from sin.

And when the books of what we’ve done
are opened, then we all each one
will know we’ve failed, but in his book
of those with sins forgiven he’ll look –
     That Book names all who did receive
     his gift of life, on him believe.

And what a gathering there will be
of all who love the Saviour, he
with them, a busy, happy life
with harmony, no pain or strife.
     All safely gathered there begin
     that blest eternity with him.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg ‘Solid Rock’ by W Bradbury

Bow to the King of the Universe

Christ’s Spirit now convicts to turn
from mutiny against the King
– the King Creator most men spurn
though we should bow the knee to him.
O come, O come and find the one true King
Who’ll wrap you in his care, forgive your sin.

He made the universe, and he
the Supernatural Source whose might
the photons, order that we see
created – all was perfect, right.
O come, O come  …

Until the mutiny began
and some protection he withdrew,
now calls to every woman, man
to turn, repent, ask help anew.
O come, O come  …

And one day he will come again
and put away the pain and death,
and root out sin, remove all shame
to people then his perfect earth.
O come, O come  …

Tune: 88 88 10 10 iambic eg Veni Emmanuel (O come, O come, Emmanuel)

Perfect, Broken, New Perfect

The Bible begins with a perfect earth,
created in beauty with skill –
no illness, no strife and no famine, death,
with nothing to mar that good life until …

The end of the Bible reveals again
a perfect new heavens, new earth
when Jesus returns to judge everyone:
the pardoned gain life, not a living death.

We’re living between, with troubles to bear
because the Creator was spurned.
He’s calling to all to repent, come to share
in the future that Jesus has earned.

Tune: 10 8 10 10

His face shone, transfigured … Why?

His face shone like the sun,
his clothes as white as light –
his deity and glory shown:
an awesome, dazzling sight.

Elijah had appeared,
and also Moses too –
they spoke with Jesus of his death,
all that he soon would do.

As Peter, James and John
observed, a cloud came down,
enveloped them – they heard a voice.
– ‘He’s my beloved Son’.

‘With him I am well pleased.
Mankind should listen well.’
So, do we listen to those things
that Jesus came to tell?

And are we awed and thrilled
at such a glimpse of power
that will one day put right all wrongs –
a glorious judgement hour?

Tune: SM

‘Every eye shall see him’*

We’re waiting for his coming,
we do not know the hour
– it may seem he’s delaying,
but soon he’ll come with power
– he’s patiently time given us
to pray, anticipate
the Landlord is returning:
repent, be ready, wait.

Tune: 76 76 D eg Cruger (Hail to the Lord’s anointed) or Passion Chorale (O Sacred Head sore wounded)

‘He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.’
Hebrews 9:28

* Revelation 1:7

The beginning and end of tears

This world, when all was brought to be –
the beauty, wonder we still see
was not yet marred in any way,
with no frustration, till fall’s day.
He who had mutinied, and lost
his place among the heavenly host,
became God’s enemy, until
an end to all his plans of ill.

So when God made the universe,
this Satan schemed, earned judgement’s curse;
he tempted Eve to doubt, rebel,
and so to sin and hurt she fell.
Could not for ever live like this,
their world and they were now amiss,
though still supported, all would groan
until salvation wrought, made known.

Christ came to pay the debt,  he will,
soon come again, and all fulfil,
and meanwhile hear now, heed his call
and friendship, like before the fall,
you can enjoy with God, and when
he comes, returns, a world that then
will have no damage, and no fears,
with happy work, no death, no tears.

Tune: LM or DLM ‘Ye banks and braes’

Reconciliation

Adopted and redeemed,
welcomed and embraced,
justified, forgiven –
salvation’s facets traced.

His Spirit will comfort us
through life in this place,
and Christ soon will come for us:
high purpose of grace.

Sanctified, instructed,
chastened and preserved,
guarded and protected,
serving as we’re served.