DOCTRINES >> Judgment
SDAH 417
O solemn thought and can it be
The hour o judgment now is come
Which soon must fix our destiny,
And seal the sinner’s fearful down?
Text
1
O solemn thought and can it be
The hour o judgment now is come
Which soon must fix our destiny,
And seal the sinner’s fearful down?
Yes, it is so; the judgment hour
Is swiftly hastening to its close;
Then will the Judge, in mighty power,
Descend in vengeance on His foes.
2
He who came down to earth to die
An offering for the sins of men,
And then ascended upon on high,
And will e’er long return again,
Is standing now before the ark,
And mercy seat and cherubim,
To plead His blood for saints, and make
The last remembrance of their sin.
3
The solemn moment is at hand
When we who have His name confessed,
Each in his lot must singly stand
And pass the final, searching test.
Jesus! we hope in Thee alone;
In mercy now upon us look,
Confess our names before the throne,
And blot our sins from out Thy book.
4
O blessed Savior! may we feel
The full importance of this hour.
Inspire our hearts with holy zeal,
And aid us by Thy Spirit’s power,
That we may in Thy strength be strong,
And brave the conflict valiantly;
Then, on Mount Zion, join the song,
And swell the notes of victory.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Rev 14:7 (b) Acts 1:11 (c) Dan 12:13; Rev 3:5; Acts 3:19 (d) Rev 14:1, 15:2
Author
Roswell F. Cottrell (1814-1892)
Year Published
1886
Copyright
Music copyright 1984 by Allen W. Foster
Hymn Tune
FINALLY
Metrical Number
L.M.D.
Composer
Allen W. Foster (1940-)
Alternate Tune
DUANE STREET, SDAH 441
Get the hymn sheet in other keys here
Notes
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The heavenly court scene of Daniel 7:9–14 depicts the central event of the chapter. The books; the Ancient of Days on the throne; and the Son of man, surrounded by heavenly clouds (Dan. 7:13) as He comes into the presence of the Ancient of Days, portray a scene of judgment in heaven. For the saints, who have been persecuted by the little horn, the judgment means vindication, salvation, and restoration. We should bear in mind that the judgment of the living will take place only when the time of probation closes and the seven last plagues begin to be poured on Babylon (Revelation 15, Revelation 16). But most important, we must not fear the judgment because the “Son of Man” is our representative in the heavenly tribunal. Thus, rather than condemnation, the heavenly judgment will bring us vindication and deliverance. (Lesson 8, 1st Quarter 2020 – Tuesday, The Court Was Seated, 2/17/2020)
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