The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven…the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we…shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
Words: Albert B. Simpson, 1896. Appeared in Heralds of Grace, edited by Addison Bowser (Danville, Pennsylvania: 1899), number 34.
Music: Addison B. Bowser (🔊 pdf nwc).
I am longing for the gath’ring
Of the ransomed over there;
I am waiting for the coming
Of the Bridegroom in the air;
I am putting on the garments
Which the heav’nly bride shall wear;
For the glad home coming draweth nigh.
I am letting go the pleasures
And the treasures worldlings prize;
I am laying up my treasures
And ambitions in the skies;
I am setting my affections
Where there are no broken ties,
For the glad home coming draweth nigh.
I am hastening the coming
Of the Bridegroom in the air,
I am sending forth the Gospel
Of the Kingdom everywhere;
I am warning saints and sinners
For the summons to prepare,
For the glad home coming draweth nigh.
Oh! the joy of meeting Jesus
And the loved ones gone before;
Oh! the bliss when death and sorrow,
Sin and sickness come no more.
All my heart is turning ever
To that everlasting shore,
Where the glad home coming draweth nigh.