New World Son - Waitin' Till The Rapture Come Lyrics
Lyrics
Old man Jonah sittin' in his chair got no teeth and got no hair
Got no daughter and got no son he's just waitin' till the rapture come
Waitin' till the rapture come
He never did marry and he never went far never bought a house or a big ole car
But he ain't no beggar and he sure ain't dumb he's just waitin' till the rapture come
Waitin' till the rapture come
And when the rapture come the Lord's gonna call his name
(When the rapture come) Jonah's gonna put down his cane
(When the rapture come) Heaven's gonna take him away
But until that day...
Old man Jonah's got an old brass horn had it since the day that he was reborn
But he ain't gonna blow for just anyone he's gonna wait till the rapture come
Waitin' till the rapture come
Preacher come a-walkin' down that country mile said 'hey Jonah, know it's been a while'
But Jonah keep his eyes on the settin' sun he's just waitin' till the rapture come
Waitin' till the rapture come
Waitin' till the rapture come
Video
Waiting Till The Rapture Come
Meaning & Inspiration
New World Son’s "Waitin' Till The Rapture Come," released on November 23, 2014, introduces us to the poignant figure of Old Man Jonah, presenting a powerful meditation on faith, patience, and the profound hope of eternity. The song paints a vivid picture of a man living a life stripped of worldly complexities, entirely focused on a singular divine promise. Jonah embodies a quiet, unwavering devotion, rejecting the clamor of earthly ambitions—he never married, accumulated wealth, or sought distant horizons. Yet, the song assures us he is neither helpless nor simple-minded; his choice is deliberate, rooted in a deep-seated spiritual conviction. He exists in a state of profound anticipation, his entire being aligned with the Lord's return, echoing the biblical wisdom found in Matthew 6:19-21, which urges believers not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven, where true value resides.
The narrative of Jonah's existence is one of profound patience, a spiritual readiness that transcends typical human endeavors. His lack of engagement with conventional life pursuits, his simple needs, and his consistent gaze upon the "setting sun" are not signs of detachment from life itself, but rather a fierce attachment to life eternal. This deep-rooted hope is central to the Christian walk, reminding us that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). The song beautifully articulates the Christian belief in the Rapture, depicting it as a moment of divine calling when "the Lord's gonna call his name" and "Heaven's gonna take him away." This imagery directly parallels the scriptural promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where it describes the Lord descending from heaven, the dead in Christ rising first, and then believers being caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. Jonah's waiting is not passive resignation but an active, expectant posture of faith, a daily living in light of Christ’s imminent return.
A significant detail in Jonah's story is his "old brass horn," acquired "since the day that he was reborn." This horn is not for everyday use; he “ain’t gonna blow for just anyone,” but specifically "till the rapture come." This symbolic instrument speaks volumes about his spiritual journey and calling. Being "reborn" points directly to the transformative experience of spiritual regeneration, as Jesus explained in John 3:3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." The horn, reserved for the momentous occasion of the Rapture, might symbolize a readiness to join the heavenly chorus, or perhaps a personal trumpet of witness and proclamation awaiting its divine cue. It speaks to a life dedicated to a higher purpose, a profound spiritual identity that colors every aspect of his patient existence.
Even when a preacher approaches, attempting to connect with Jonah, the old man keeps "his eyes on the settin' sun," remaining undisturbed in his focus. This encounter highlights the unique, personal nature of Jonah's waiting. His spiritual journey is so deeply personal and singularly focused on the divine timeline that even religious fellowship, though valuable, takes a secondary role to his direct anticipation of God's final call. It’s not a dismissal of community but an illustration of an absolute, unwavering gaze toward the promised end. His steadfastness serves as a powerful reminder of James 5:7-8, which encourages patience until the coming of the Lord, likening it to a farmer waiting for precious fruit. "Waitin' Till The Rapture Come" is ultimately an inspiring call to evaluate our own spiritual priorities, encouraging us to cultivate a similar spirit of unwavering hope and readiness, fixing our eyes not on the fleeting allure of this world but on the glorious, eternal promise of Christ's return.