EV 5:5{EV 5:6{
How dark the night around us! Sin and death.
Are reigning conquerors o'er this rebel world;
The serpent's trail defiles; and error's breath
Corrupts the very truth that grace unfurled
To rescue man from sin's vile slavery,
And make him, as God's freed-man, truly free.
Alas! the name of Christ Himself is used,
By those who call Him Lord, to sanction ill;
The time of God's long suffering is abused!
Because He smites not, man grows viler still;
" The mystery of iniquity " abounds,
While the false watchman " peace and safety " sounds.
But here we see, in Heaven's unclouded light,
An Object hidden from man's earth-closed eyes;
The Lamb, once slain, now raised beyond all height,
His name the theme of all heaven's symphonies:
We hear His praise from harps divinely sweet,
And see the elders worship at His feet,
Oh, how delightsome are the heavenly scenes,
Which John, in Patmos, favored was to view!
The soul, that on the Savior's bosom leans,
Knows in itself that all His words are true;
Breaks out in songs to see the Lamb once slain,
Now crowned in heaven, and soon o'er earth to reign.
His coming glories with Himself are ours!
His Bride shall share the honors of His name.
Oh, how this hope the faithful heart empowers
His cross to bear, and smile at toil and shame!
"Lo, I come quickly!" is His last sweet word:
Amen, e'en so; come, quickly come, O Lord.