Lyrics
Verse 1
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
Chorus
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
Verse 2
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
Chorus
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
Chorus (Repeat)
Well, 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
Bound, Heavenward bound
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This gospel song gives a warning and a hope about the return of Christ. The first verse describes troublesome times that fill hearts with fear and puts a question to Christians: to humble themselves before God and seek the way the pilgrims walked.
The chorus is the main message, "Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon". It describes trumpets sounding, the dead rising and the righteous meeting in the sky, headed to a place "where no one dies". The second verse looks past present troubles to a time free from care, with believers rising up and saying goodbye to this world.
These images follow Paul's words to the Thessalonians about the Lord descending with a trumpet call and the dead in Christ rising first. The words about not knowing the hour also match Jesus' teaching to stay watchful. The song is written in a plain hymn-like style, and the final chorus repeats with a short tag so the congregation can end on the words "Heavenward bound".
Related Scripture
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 The Lord descends with a trumpet call, the dead in Christ rise, and believers meet Him in the air.
- Mark 13:35 Jesus tells His followers to watch because the master may come at evening, midnight, dawn or morning.