Ride This Train Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
#### What is the meaning of "Ride This Train" by The Canton Spirituals?
"Ride This Train" by The Canton Spirituals is a gospel song that invites listeners to join in a spiritual journey towards salvation and eternal life with God. The train metaphor is used to represent the Christian path to redemption and the urgency of preparing one's soul for Jesus Christ's return. The song emphasizes the importance of having faith, repenting, and living a righteous life to gain everything in the heavenly kingdom, highlighting that there's nothing to lose but everything to gain by boarding this spiritual journey.
#### Can you break down the lyrics of "Ride This Train" chronologically?
In the chorus, "Oh, Come along my friends come along / Get aboard lets ride this train. / Nothing on this train to lose...everything to gain," listeners are directly invited to embark on this spiritual journey, emphasizing the promise of eternal rewards over worldly losses.
In the first verse, "The gospel train is coming / Coming around the bend / The Lord God said that He's coming back / But one thing He didn't say when," introduces the concept of the Second Coming of Christ, a fundamental belief in Christianity that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. The verse calls for readiness, as the time of His return is unknown.
The repetition of, "Get your houses in order," in the song serves as a metaphor for preparing one's soul and life for Jesus' return, stressing the urgency and importance of spiritual readiness.
#### Are there any Bible verses that relate to the song "Ride This Train"?
Yes, several Bible verses relate to the themes presented in "Ride This Train":
- **Matthew 24:36** - "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This verse correlates with the song's mention that the time of the Lord's return is not known, emphasizing the importance of always being prepared.
- **Mark 1:15** - "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" This verse echoes the song's call to repentance and to embrace the gospel as the path to salvation.
- **Luke 12:40** - "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Like the song, this verse warns about the unpredictability of Christ's return and the necessity of being spiritually prepared.
- **Revelation 22:12** - "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done." This verse supports the song's message that those who are ready and have lived according to God's will have everything to gain at Jesus' return.
