Lyrics
Jesus The Risen King
Read together: 2 Timothy 4:6–8; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 7:13–17; Psalm 90:1–4, 12
Some of the old hymns had a phrase for heaven: the great by and by. This song brings that phrase back with joy. It imagines a day when Jesus comes in the sky to gather His people, and everyone who belongs to Him gathers around the throne of the risen King to sing Holy, holy, holy and Worthy is the Lamb.
The third verse describes who will be there: those who have run our race. Read 2 Timothy 4:6–8. Paul wrote near the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who have loved His appearing." The Christian life is a race, sometimes exhausting and painful. But it has a finish line, and the Lord Himself is waiting there.
Notice the song's honesty about how anyone gets there: made possible only by God's grace. Paul could speak about finishing his race because Christ had first finished His work. The crown is not a wage. It is a gift given by the One who loved us.
Then comes the heart of the song: We will see Jesus—oh, we will see Him face to face! Read 1 Corinthians 13:12. "Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." In this life, our view of Jesus is real but limited. We see Him through Scripture, through prayer, through the lives of His people. One day, the mirror will be set aside, and we will see Him as He is.
Read Revelation 7:13–17. One of the elders asks John about the great multitude in white robes. "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." And then the promise: "They will never again hunger or thirst… For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." The song says it simply: All pain, suffering, and sin will be done.
The bridge borrows a beloved image: when ten thousand years have rolled by, we will only have just started an eternity worshipping Jesus. That can be hard to imagine. We get tired of almost everything after a while. But Jesus is infinite. There will never come a moment when we have exhausted His beauty or run out of reasons to praise Him. Read Psalm 90:1–4. "From everlasting to everlasting, You are God… A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by." The eternal God offers His people an eternal joy.
And Psalm 90:12 adds a practical prayer for those of us still running: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." The hope of heaven is not an escape from this life. It is the reason to live this life well.
If you are not sure you will be among that great multitude, you can be. Their robes were not made white by their own goodness, but by the blood of the Lamb. Turn to Jesus today, and you will join them.
A moment to respond: Read Revelation 7:13–17 slowly. Then pray Psalm 90:12, and ask God to show you one way to "run your race" more faithfully this week. If you are weary, tell Him so, and thank Him for the finish line.
Let's pray: Holy, holy, holy are You, Jesus, the risen King. Worthy is the Lamb who died for us. Thank You that by Your grace we will one day see You face to face. Strengthen us to run our race and keep the faith. Wipe away every tear when we gather at Your throne. Until then, teach us to number our days and live for Your glory. Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that the hope of seeing Jesus face to face would give you strength to keep running your race today.
