When Descending From The Sky – Hymn Lyric
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When Descending From The Sky – Hymn Lyric
When descending from the sky
The Bridegroom shall appear;
And the solemn midnight cry,
Shall call professors near:
How the sound our hearts will damp!
How will shame o’erspread each face!
If we only have a lamp,
Without the oil of grace.
Foolish virgins then will wake
And seek for a supply;
But in vain the pains they take
To borrow or to buy:
Then with those they now despise,
Earnestly they’ll wish to share;
But the best, among the wise,
Will have no oil to spare.
Wise are they, and truly blest,
Who then shall ready be
But despair will seize the rest,
And dreadful misery:
Once, they’ll cry, we scorned to doubt,
Though in lies our trust we put;
Now our lamp of hope is out,
The door of mercy shut.
If they then presume to plead,
Lord open to us now;
We on earth have heard and prayed,
And with thy saints did bow:”
He will answer from his throne,
Though you with My people mixed,
Yet to Me you ne’er were known,
Depart, your doom is fixed.”
O that none who worship here
May hear that word, Depart!
Lord impress a godly fear
On each professor’s heart:
Help us, Lord, to search the camp,
Let us not ourselves beguile;
Trusting to a dying lamp
Without a stock of oil.
Meaning of When Descending From The Sky
When Descending From The Sky: A Hymn of Warning and Preparation
In this hymn, we are reminded of a future event – the descent of the Bridegroom from the sky. It is a solemn occasion that calls all professors near, awakening their hearts and bringing forth feelings of shame and embarrassment. The hymn uses the metaphor of a lamp and the oil of grace to emphasize the importance of being prepared for this event.
The first verse paints a picture of the Bridegroom appearing and a midnight cry sounding, alerting everyone to His arrival. It is at this moment that the state of our hearts will be revealed. If we only possess a lamp without the oil of grace, our hearts will be dampened, and shame will cover our faces. It is a powerful reminder that merely appearing to have faith is not enough – we must also possess the grace and righteousness that comes from a genuine relationship with God.
The second verse highlights the fate of the foolish virgins who wake up in the midst of the Bridegroom’s arrival and seek to borrow or buy oil. However, their efforts are in vain as they discover that it is too late. They now desperately desire to share in the grace of the wise virgins, but find that there is no oil to spare. This emphasizes the importance of not procrastinating or relying on others to supply us with grace. We must each individually nurture and cultivate our relationship with God, ensuring that we have a personal supply of oil that will sustain us in times of need.
The third verse takes a different perspective, focusing on the wise virgins who are blessed and ready when the Bridegroom appears. In contrast to the despair and misery that grips the rest, they are prepared and find themselves in a state of joy and peace. This verse encourages us to be among the wise, to be ready when the time comes. It reminds us that our spiritual preparedness is essential in avoiding despair and finding comfort in the presence of the Lord.
The hymn then shifts to a cautionary tone, warning against those who scorned doubt and placed their trust in lies. These individuals may have participated in worship and bowed with the saints, but they never truly knew the Lord. In their time of need, as they plead for the door of mercy to be opened, they will receive a sobering response. The Lord will declare that despite their association with His people, they were never truly known by Him. This serves as a reminder that our actions and outward appearance are not enough; it is the state of our hearts and our genuine relationship with God that truly matters.
The hymn concludes with a prayerful plea, expressing the desire that none who worship here may hear the dreaded word “Depart.” It calls for the Lord to impress a godly fear on the hearts of each professor. It urges us to examine ourselves and not deceive ourselves into relying on a dying lamp without a stock of oil. It is a plea for genuine faith, genuine relationship, and genuine preparedness.
In conclusion, “When Descending From The Sky” is a hymn that serves as a spiritual wake-up call. It reminds us of the importance of genuine faith, true preparedness, and cultivating a personal relationship with God. It cautions against relying on appearances, borrowing grace, or procrastinating in our spiritual journey. May it serve as a reminder for all of us to continually nurture and cultivate our relationship with God, ensuring we possess the oil of grace to sustain us when the Bridegroom descends from the sky.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
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