When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem: Meaning And Inspiration
When The Toils Of Life Are Over, also known as In The New Jerusalem, is a Christian hymn written by Gloria Bailey. The song speaks about the hope that believers in Christ have of meeting Him in heaven when this life is over. It is a song of encouragement and comfort to those who are going through difficult times, reminding them that there is a place of rest and peace awaiting them in heaven.
The inspiration for the song comes from the Bible, specifically the book of Revelation, which describes the new Jerusalem that will come down from heaven after the end of this age. The song paints a vivid picture of what it will be like to be in that city, with its streets of gold and gates of pearl. It speaks about the joy of being reunited with loved ones who have gone before us and the excitement of seeing Jesus face to face.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and moving, and they have been a source of comfort to many Christians over the years.
The Meaning Of When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem
The song is a celebration of the hope that Christians have of eternal life with Christ. It speaks about the struggles and difficulties of this life, but encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on the prize that awaits us in heaven. The lyrics are filled with imagery from the book of Revelation, describing the new Jerusalem and the joy that we will experience when we are there.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics:
"When the toils of life are over,
And we lay our armor down,
And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares,
We shall meet and greet our loved ones,
And our Christ we then shall crown,
In the new Jerusalem."
This verse speaks about the end of our earthly lives and the hope that we have of being reunited with loved ones who have gone before us. It also speaks about the crowning of Christ, which is a reference to the passage in Revelation 19:12 that describes Jesus as having many crowns.
The refrain of the song is a celebratory chorus that emphasizes the joy that we will experience when we are in the new Jerusalem:
"There'll be singing, there'll be shouting
When the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem,
Waving palms with loud hosannas
As the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jerusalem."
This chorus speaks about the celebration that will take place when we are in the new Jerusalem. It references the passage in Revelation 7:9-10 that describes a great multitude of people from every nation, tribe, and language standing before the throne of God and worshiping Him.
The second verse of the song speaks about the struggles and difficulties that we face in this life, but encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on the hope that we have in Christ:
"Though the way is sometimes lonely,
He will hold me with His hand,
Through the testings and the trials I must go.
But I'll trust and gladly follow,
For sometime I'll understand,
In the new Jerusalem."
This verse speaks about the comfort and strength that we can find in Christ when we are going through difficult times. It reminds us that we can trust Him to guide us through the trials and challenges of this life, and that ultimately we will understand why we had to go through those things when we are in the new Jerusalem.
The third verse of the song speaks about the joy that we will experience when we finally see Jesus face to face:
"When the last goodbye is spoken
And the tear stains wiped away,
And our eyes shall catch a glimpse of glory fair,
Then with bounding hearts we'll meet Him
Who hath washed our sins away,
In the new Jerusalem."
This verse speaks about the moment when we will finally meet Jesus in person. It references the passage in Revelation 21:4 that describes a time when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death, mourning, or crying. It also speaks about the fact that our sins have been washed away by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and that we can approach Him with confidence because of what He has done for us.
The final verse of the song speaks about the eternal life that we have in Christ:
"When we join the ransomed army
In the summer land above,
And the face of our dear Savior we behold,
We will sing and shout forever,
And we'll grow in perfect love,
In the new Jerusalem."
This verse speaks about the fact that we will spend eternity with Christ in heaven. It references the passage in Revelation 22:1-5 that describes the river of life that flows from the throne of God and the tree of life that bears fruit every month. It also speaks about the fact that we will continue to grow in our love for God and for each other throughout eternity.
The Inspiration Behind When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem
The inspiration for the song comes from the Bible, specifically the book of Revelation. Gloria Bailey was inspired by the descriptions of the new Jerusalem that are found in that book, and she wanted to write a song that would capture the hope and joy that Christians have in Christ.
The book of Revelation is a difficult book to interpret, and there are many different opinions about what the various symbols and images mean. However, one thing that is clear from the book is that God is in control of history and that He has a plan for the future. The book describes a time when Jesus will return to earth and establish His kingdom, and it speaks about the hope that we have of eternal life with Him.
The new Jerusalem is a symbol of that hope. It is described as a city that is filled with the glory of God, where there is no more death, mourning, or crying. It is a place where we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us, and where we will finally see Jesus face to face.
The book of Revelation can be a difficult book to understand, but it is also a book that is filled with hope and encouragement for believers. It reminds us that no matter what we are going through in this life, there is a place of rest and peace awaiting us in heaven.
Bible Verses That The Song References
The lyrics of When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem are filled with references to the Bible, specifically the book of Revelation. Here are some of the key verses that the song references:
Revelation 7:9-10 - "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"
Revelation 19:12 - "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."
Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 22:1-5 - "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."
Practical Application Of When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem
The song When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem is a powerful reminder of the hope that Christians have in Christ. It speaks about the struggles and difficulties of this life, but also reminds us that there is a place of rest and peace awaiting us in heaven.
As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that we have a hope that goes beyond this life. No matter what we are going through, we can trust that God is in control and that He has a plan for our lives. We can look forward to the day when we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us and when we will finally see Jesus face to face.
The song also reminds us of the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on the hope that we have in Christ. It can be easy to get caught up in the struggles and challenges of this life and to forget that there is a greater purpose and meaning to our existence. But when we remember the hope that we have in Christ, it gives us the strength and courage to keep going, even when things are difficult.
In conclusion, When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem is a beautiful and inspiring hymn that speaks about the hope that Christians have in Christ. It reminds us of the fact that there is a place of rest and peace awaiting us in heaven, and that we can
