Gaither Vocal Band - These Are They Lyrics
Lyrics
The oceans give up
All the dead that are in them,
The graves open wide
To set captives free
And those who are roaming the earth
Rise to meet them,
Abraham's seed as the sands of the sea
These are they who have come
Out of great tribulation
They have washed their robes
In the blood of the Lamb,
They have gone through much sorrow
Into great jubilation,
They're redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
Like a strong, mighty army
Their voices are ringing
The great cloud of witnesses
Sings freedom's song
As they enter the country
Built by their own Father,
The promised homeland
They've looked for so long
And all the pilgrims and all the strangers
Will be no longer strangers
All the tired and the weary wanderers,
They will wander no more
The table is spread for the great celebration,
And the "Welcome Home" banner
Flies over the door
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - These Are They [Live] ft. Gaither Vocal Band
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2009 as part of their album *Reunited*, Gaither Vocal Band's "These Are They" offers a profound and moving exploration of eschatological hope and the triumphant reunion of believers with their Creator. The song draws directly from the imagery and promise found throughout Scripture, painting a vivid picture of the resurrection and the eternal dwelling place prepared for the faithful. Its narrative is rooted in the powerful prophecy of Revelation 7:9-14, which speaks of a great multitude, "from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb," clothed in white robes and proclaiming salvation through the Lamb's blood. This is not merely a song about death, but about the ultimate victory over it, a concept echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 where the Apostle Paul triumphantly declares, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" The lyrics meticulously describe the opening of graves and the release of captives, evoking Isaiah 26:19, "Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you dwellers in the dust! For the dew of the morning is your dew; the earth will give birth to those who have fallen." The "Abraham's seed as the sands of the sea" imagery speaks to the immense, uncountable number of those redeemed, a direct allusion to God's covenant with Abraham as recorded in Genesis 22:17. The journey described is one of immense struggle— "great tribulation," "much sorrow"—but it culminates in an overwhelming "jubilation" and the cleansing power of the Lamb's sacrifice, referencing the profound theological truth articulated in Hebrews 9:14: "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God?" The song beautifully captures the essence of the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, those who have persevered through faith and now join in an eternal chorus of praise. Their journey culminates in reaching the "promised homeland," a concept central to Christian theology, representing the heavenly Jerusalem described in Revelation 21. The final verses resonate with the promise of a perpetual homecoming for all who have journeyed through life's trials; the "pilgrims and strangers" will find rest, the "tired and weary wanderers" will wander no more, and a "great celebration" awaits with a resounding "Welcome Home." This imagery of a prepared feast and a welcoming door is reminiscent of Jesus' parables, such as the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, and the ultimate invitation to eternal fellowship with God. "These Are They" stands as a powerful testament to the enduring hope found in the Christian faith, celebrating the ultimate triumph of life over death and the eternal peace awaiting those who have placed their faith in the Lamb.