1 LO! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favoured sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of his train:
Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.
2 Every eye shall now behold him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.
3 The dear tokens of his passion
Still his dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!
4 Yea, Amen! let all adore thee,
High on thy eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for thine own;
Jah, Jehovah,
Everlasting God, come down!
Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending Video
Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" is a hymn written by Charles Wesley, a prominent figure in the history of Christian hymnody. This powerful hymn has been sung by believers for centuries, expressing their anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ. With its vivid imagery and profound lyrics, it captures the essence of the biblical teachings on Christ's return and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. This article explores the meaning of the song, its inspiration, and the Bible verses that resonate with its message.
1. The Inspiration and Story Behind the Hymn:
Charles Wesley, along with his brother John Wesley, played a significant role in the 18th-century Methodist revival. As a prolific hymn writer, Charles composed thousands of hymns to be sung by the Methodist movement. "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" was written by Charles Wesley in 1758, and it is believed to have been inspired by the biblical passages that speak of Christ's second coming.
2. The Meaning of "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending":
The hymn begins with the phrase "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending," signaling the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The phrase "Lo!" is an exclamation used to grab attention and emphasize the significance of the event about to take place. The image of Christ coming with clouds is drawn from Revelation 1:7, which states, "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen."
The hymn continues to describe the scene of Christ's return, with thousands of saints attending and swelling the triumph of His train. This imagery is based on Jude 1:14-15, which speaks of the Lord coming with His holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly. The saints mentioned in the hymn are those who have been redeemed by Jesus and are eagerly awaiting His return.
3. A Message of Redemption and Triumph:
"Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" not only speaks of Christ's second coming but also emphasizes the redemptive work He accomplished through His crucifixion. The hymn mentions the scars that Jesus bears on His body, which serve as dear tokens of His passion. These scars remind believers of the price paid for their salvation and evoke a sense of awe and gratitude.
The hymn also exclaims, "Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign." This line echoes the anticipation of the establishment of God's kingdom on earth when Christ returns to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. This theme finds its roots in various biblical passages, such as Revelation 11:15, which states, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever."
4. Bible Verses Related to the Hymn:
"Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" draws heavily from the book of Revelation, which provides vivid descriptions of the events surrounding Christ's second coming. Here are a few key verses that relate to the hymn's message:
a. Revelation 1:7: "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen."
b. Revelation 19:11-16: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords."
c. Jude 1:14-15: "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'"
5. The Timeless Relevance of the Hymn:
"Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" remains a beloved hymn in Christian worship today because it encapsulates the hope and anticipation of believers throughout the ages. The message of Christ's second coming, His triumph over sin and death, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom resonates deeply with Christians longing for the fulfillment of God's promises.
Conclusion:
"Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" is a timeless hymn that stirs the hearts of believers, reminding them of the glorious day when Christ will return to judge the world and establish His kingdom. Through its powerful imagery and profound lyrics, the hymn captures the essence of biblical teachings on the second coming of Jesus. As Christians sing this hymn, they express their faith, hope, and longing for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
