CHRISTIAN LIFE >> Watchfulness
SDAH 596
Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
Look for the way-marks passing one by one;
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four—
Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o’er.
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For Worship Leaders
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This hymn, based on the prophecy of Daniel in his interpretation of the dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar, is virtually a Bible study in verse. It was composed by Franklin Edson Belden (1858-1945; see Biographies) and appeared in Hymns and Tunes, 1886. Four scriptures were listed at the head of the hymn, namely: Deuteronomy 29:29; Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21; Daniel 2:28. Below the hymn was the title “The Four Universal Kingdoms,” and then Daniel’s description of the dream, which the king had forgotten, as given in Daniel 2:31-36. Under the heading “Interpretation of the Dream” verses 37 to 40 and 42 to 44 were quoted, with occasional remarks in parentheses to identify the kingdoms mentioned. The hymn follows this interpretation, giving a succinct summary of world history from Assyria (or Babylon) to the future establishment of Christ’s everlasting kingdom. The notes under the hymn show that the “smiting of the image” cannot refer to the first advent of Christ as a babe, but to the Second Advent, when He comes in glory as King of kings. The note ends: “The ‘smiting’ results in total destruction and annihilation of all earthly kingdoms, which will occur at the second coming of Christ.”
The tune, unnamed, was also composed by Franklin Belden.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
Look for the way-marks passing one by one;
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four—
Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o’er.
Refrain
Look for the way-marks, the great prophetic way-marks,
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four.
Look for the waymarks, the great prophetic way-marks;
The journey’s almost o’er.
2
First, the Assyrian kingdom ruled the world,
Then Medo-Persia’s banners were unfurled;
And after Greece held universal sway,
Rome seized the scepter—where are we today?
3
Down in the feet of iron and of clay,
Weak and divided, soon to pass away;
What will the next great, glorious drama be?
Christ and His coming, and eternity.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Jer 6:16 (b) Dan 2:38-40 (c) Dan 2:42, 44
Author
Franklin E. Belden (1858-1945)
Year Published
1886
Metrical Number
10.10.10.10.Ref.
Composer
F.E. Belden
Year Composed
1886
