UP AND AWAY | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1875

UP AND AWAY.

“The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

Sudden and swift the call that bade me rise, To meet the Saviour in the glowing skies; Up and away, as bird escaped the snare, I leave behind a world of sin and care, So swift the change has come, no time for thought, A glad surprise; a wondrous change is wrought!

Free from the earth, its dullness and its clod, I own and feel the life of Christ in God; The sense of time is past, eternity In all its height and depth ennobleth me. Made like to him, I wake, I live, I glow, Life, light, and love, through all my being flow.

Not one alone, but thousand thousands more, That summons have obeyed, from earth’s far shore; From time’s remotest bounds they come, and greet The blood-washed saint just snatched to Jesus’ feet; For all are there, the babe in Christ, and they Who’ve borne the heat and burden of the day.

Yes, all are there, the ransomed hosts untold, Of kindreds, tongues, and peoples manifold, Vast glitt’ring ranks, immortal praises bring, And far and wide, loud hallelujahs ring; For all the Christ behold, arrayed in light, In grace, and love, incomparably bright.

Oh, blessed lot! with new-found powers to stand, And join glad voices with that happy band, As gazing on that now resplendent face, The Father’s glory in the Son we trace; Then with one mind before the presence fall, And worship Him who filleth all in all.

No joy like his, amid that joyous throng, No voice like his, who leads that wondrous song, No praise like his ascending to the throne, No glory there like his, he stands alone; The dazzling center of that glory, he! Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

—Sound Words.