A Hymn of Hope in Changing Times: John MacDuff’s “Christ is Coming” (Unveiling Hymns Using CWM RHONDDA)

The name Adventist was born out of the belief that Christ is coming soon, literally. Hence, it is not really a surprise when Seventh-day Adventists sing hymns that feature just that. However, this belief is not privy to Adventists alone. Many other denominations believed it and sang it. And in the case of Presbyterian minister,…

‘Tis Almost Time for the Lord to Come

Tis Almost Time for the Lord to Come is one of those hymns I used to sing a lot in my childhood. It has a catchy tune and a nice driving rhythm to it. I remember my friends and I would always look forward to sing that pause “Oh…” at the beginning of the refrain,…

A Hymn About the Three Angels’ Messages

This week’s lesson quarterly touches the theme of the three angels messages. When was the last time you sang precisely about this topic? One of the great things about the early advent hymns is that the pioneers sang hymns that were distinctly ‘Adventist’ in nature. The actual Bible studies they did were largely embodied and reflected…

Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying: Not Your Typical Second-Advent Hymn

A strange plague swept across Europe resulting in deaths of an estimated 25 million people. London, Florence, Venice, and Avignon took a hard hit as the viral plague, which came to be known as “The Black Death,” ravaged the cities. German cities were not hit as hard if compared to the death tolls of other…

That Glorious Day is Coming: A Rarely-Sung Second Advent Hymn

Many Adventists are familiar with the story of William Miller’s discovery of the partially correct, but extremely crucial, interpretation of Daniel 8:14. We all know of how he made a promise to God about sharing this message to people, only if invited to preach. For eight years, Miller was true to his promise. His itinerary…

There’ll Be No Dark Valley When Jesus Comes

The period between  1899 and 1901 was a dark history for Christians in China. A movement called “The Boxer Rebellion” took the life of many people, especially those who were associated with Western ideas of colonialism and the religious missionary activities that were associated with it. “They have eaten the foreigner’s medicine” This rebellion was…

It May Be At Morn

It is a natural human tendency to ask, “How long?” when they have no idea what to expect of time. This question comes in all varieties, depending on the context we ask it. “How long do I have?” a patient on the brink of dying might ask. “How much longer will this take?” an annoyed…

Face to Face With Christ My Savior

A missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Porteous, were led to a lonely mountain spot by their Chinese executioners. The angry band hated that these missionaries were preaching the gospel. Pushing them to the ground, one very angry man took out his long sharp knife to kill them, only awaiting for the leader’s order to kill. Expecting…

Gleams of the Golden Morning

This hymn is one of those oldie but goody kind of hymn. Whenever I hear this sung in church, I can’t deny the fervor and excitement that people usually sing it with. Musically speaking, I think one thing that contributes to that is the quick dotted rhythms at the beginning and end of every phrase…

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Charles Wesley could not have been more on point when he wrote about the “long expected Jesus.” Adam and Eve looked forward to His coming when they first heard the promise. Every son that was born brought hope to parents that this could be the Messiah. From the days of Enoch, patriarch and prophets recalled…