The Happy Goodmans - I Believe He's Coming Back Lyrics
Lyrics
High upon a mountain from where He ascended
An angel of the Lord declared that it would be
He said, "Don't stand hear grievin' for the one that you see leavin'
In like manner He's coming back for you and me
And I believe He's coming back like He said
I believe that a trumpet's gonna sound so loud one day it'll wake the dead
In the twinkling of an eye, He'll split the Eastern sky
And I believe He's coming back like He said
I believe the time is nearing; we'll soon see His appearing
This could be the hour, this could be the day
When the saints from every nation will lose gravitation
In the middle of the air be caught away
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - I Believe He's Coming Back [Live] ft. The Happy Goodmans
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 1978 on the album *Refreshing*, "I Believe He's Coming Back" by The Happy Goodmans stands as a powerful declaration of faith rooted deeply in the prophetic hope of Christ's return. This song isn't merely a melody; it's a sermon set to music, a vibrant reminder of a foundational promise within Christian belief. The narrative arc of the song is drawn directly from the ascension of Jesus, as recounted in the book of Acts, where angels informed the stunned disciples, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). The Happy Goodmans lean into this angelic announcement, transforming it into a song of anticipation rather than grief, echoing the apostle Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
The core message of "I Believe He's Coming Back" is an unwavering conviction in the imminent and literal return of Jesus Christ. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this future event, drawing from biblical imagery. The sounding of a trumpet that will "wake the dead" directly references 1 Corinthians 15:52, which speaks of a trumpet call at the resurrection, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, which describes the Lord descending with a trumpet call. The phrase "in the twinkling of an eye" is a direct echo of 1 Corinthians 15:52 as well, emphasizing the swift and instantaneous nature of this divine intervention. The splitting of the Eastern sky further evokes prophetic visions of Christ's glorious appearance, as described in Revelation 1:7: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." The song masterfully conveys the excitement and awe surrounding the future gathering of believers, a concept articulated in passages like Matthew 24:31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where believers are "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." The repeated assertion, "I believe He's coming back like He said," acts as a personal affirmation of this sacred truth, a steadfast anchor for the soul in a world often filled with uncertainty. It's a testament to the enduring power of Scripture to inspire hope and conviction, reminding believers that the promises of God are immutable and will undoubtedly come to pass.