Gaither Vocal Band - Jesus is Coming Soon Lyrics
Lyrics
Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore, free from all care
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Oh, Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Heavenward bound, heavenward bound
Video
Jesus Is Coming Soon (Live At Gaither Studios, Alexandria, IN/1994)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band’s rendition of "Jesus Is Coming Soon," notably the live recording from Gaither Studios in Alexandria, Indiana, in 1994, which saw a digital release on January 7, 2020, stands as a powerful declaration of an enduring Christian hope. The song plunges directly into a narrative reflecting the anxieties and spiritual longing that often characterize human experience, particularly within a faith context. It opens by acknowledging "Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear," a resonant sentiment across generations that harks back to prophetic warnings found in Scripture. The mention of "freedom we all hold dear now is at stake" can be broadly interpreted as a concern not just for civil liberties, but for spiritual liberty in an increasingly complex world, a theme often tied to biblical admonitions about spiritual warfare and societal decay.
The narrative swiftly pivots from worldly distress to a call for spiritual awakening and readiness. The lyrics urge "Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod; Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake." This is a profound call to repentance and adherence to a path of righteousness. The concept of humbling oneself before God is a cornerstone of Christian teaching, reiterated in passages like James 4:10, promising exaltation to the humble. The "chastening rod" serves as a reminder of God's loving discipline for His children, meant for correction and spiritual growth, as illuminated in Hebrews 12:6. To "seek the way pilgrims trod" is to embrace the narrow path of faith and obedience walked by countless believers throughout history, a path Jesus Himself described in Matthew 7:13-14 as leading to life. The urgent command "Christians awake" echoes the New Testament's constant exhortations for vigilance and readiness for Christ's return, notably in Romans 13:11, which speaks of the hour being late and salvation nearer than when we first believed.
At the core of the song's message is the unwavering proclamation: "Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon." This central truth of Christ’s imminent return, a pivotal tenet of Christian eschatology, is delivered with an immediacy that bypasses precise timelines, emphasizing the biblical teaching that no one knows the exact day or hour (Matthew 24:36). This deliberate ambiguity serves to foster a state of perpetual readiness among believers. The song then describes the awe-inspiring events associated with this return: "Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound; All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies." The sounding of a trumpet is a distinct biblical marker of Christ's return and the resurrection, vividly described in 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The concept of "many will meet their doom" speaks to the ultimate judgment awaiting those who have rejected God's grace, a stark reality detailed in Revelation 20:11-15. Conversely, the promise that "all of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies" paints a glorious picture of the resurrection of believers and the rapture, where those alive in Christ will be caught up to meet Him in the air, as beautifully articulated in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
The concluding verses of "Jesus Is Coming Soon" shift to the glorious hope that awaits the faithful: "Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore when we meet on that shore, free from all care." This expresses the ultimate liberation from earthly suffering and anxieties, a promise of eternal peace and joy found in the new heavens and new earth, where God Himself 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," as declared in Revelation 21:4. The imagery of "Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye; Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share" encapsulates the profound longing for heaven, the believer's true home, and the anticipation of sharing in God's divine glory, a promise extended to all who are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). The song, therefore, functions not merely as a reflection on future events but as a powerful encouragement to persevere in faith, offering a tangible vision of eternal hope that transcends present difficulties and inspires spiritual vigilance.