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June 2005, Page 8.
Index of articles:
by subject,
by date.
In this issue:
(June 2005)
HC less often?
Bishop's Charge,
Social Committee,
Song.
The heavenly vision
These lines were written for the Christian Songwriter's Network "lyrical challenge" in March 2005.
I caught a vision of a city
that came from heaven to earth,
adorned as a bride for her husband
to a world of brand new birth.
And I heard from the throne a voice announcing:
"Now God will dwell with men.
He will be their God and they will be his people
for evermore, Amen!"
And in my vision there was beauty:
the earth and heaven were new,
the city was the new Jerusalem
with space for me and you.
And I heard from the throne a voice pronouncing:
"Now God will wipe their tears.
There'll be no more death or crying, pain or sadness,
for gone are mortal years."
Then in my vision was the throne room,
The Man from heaven who came:
the Beginning and the End, the Overcomer,
with eyes of fiery flame.
And I heard from the throne his invitation:
"To him who thirsts I'll give
living water without money from my fountain,
so come and drink and live.
And in my vision were the people,
before the throne were books.
The records of the actions of the lifetimes:
the good, the fair, the crooks.
And I heard from the throne the voice of judgement:
"Call me while you have breath,
for the ones whose names are written in the book of life
escape the second death."
And in my vision I cried: "Jesus,
I thirst, I hear your word.
O come and save me from the darkness,
you died for me, my Lord!"
Then I heard from the throne the words of welcome:
"Yes, you have overcome,
you've believed in me and so you've found salvation:
I'm God, and you're my son."
Copyright © John Hartley 2005.
The challenge was to write words for a song based on a choice of three texts from the bible: this one is from Revelation 21:1-7. It also refers to the previous chapter, as 20:11-15 is the backdrop of judgement which is necessary to understand the wonderful opportunity of 21:1-7. The words are often used on Remembrance Sunday, and you can hear a tune on our web site.
John Hartley