Even so Lord quickly come
To Thy final harvest-home
Gather Thou Thy people in
Free from sorrow free from sin
There forever purified
In Thy presence to abide
Come with all Thine angels come
Raise the glorious harvest-home
Come, Ye Thankful People Come 1844
By: Henry Alford (1810-1871)
Listen to this modern version of this seasonal hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we conclude our journey through this seasonal prepare yourself to come and praise. Prepare yourself but also be ready to issue the call to others to join you. What better time than this season of year end and into the next? Let’s tune our hearts.
Even So?
We finished out Christmas journey with a focus on Christ’s return and taking us to be with Him eternally. So it is fitting we wrap up this hymn text and the year picking up that idea and carrying it into a New Year. For though we long to see Him breaking through the clouds to take us home, there is a little uneasiness as we log for His return.
Why? Because not everyone is ready. Even so….we desperately wait for it.
Part of that longing is fueled by the imperfection of this world, and the promised perfection of the one to come. Oh, to be rid of all the heartache and tears of this fallen age. It makes absolute sense that we want that to all come to an end.
For those who have not found wholeness in Christ, the end of this age will be dreadful. It will make the end of their opportunity to find that peace. Though they will be forced to acknowledge Him as Lord they will spend eternity separated from Him.
Even so? Yes, but not without at least a little tension. Can you feel it?
Even so Lord quickly come
To Thy final harvest-home
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV
Why, “Even so”? Because even though His return will mean the fruitful ears will be gathered to Him, the tares will be cast into the fire. Still we want Him to come, but their fiery fate should spur us on to telling as many as will listen how to prepare for that final harvest home.
We want Him to come quickly because we are prepared but unfortunately many are not. We should find ourselves in a tension to see His return soon, but also hopeful He will tarry so more may come to know Him and be raised to that final harvest home.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the return of Jesus and what it will be like for you. Now think about what it will be like for those who do not have peace with Christ. Ask the Spirit to help you rest in that hope, yet stir you to invite others into it as well. Make this your simple prayer today “Jesus, come quickly, but not too quickly.”
Absolutely!
We long for that day when our hope in Christ is finally realized. When He gathers us to Himself to receive the inheritance that been waiting for us since Jesus finished His work on the cross. When He raises us up to be with Him eternally.
Gather Thou Thy people in
Free from sorrow free from sin
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 ESV
He will gather in those who belong to Him, His people, bought with His blood. That transaction, the purchase of our souls rendered us free from sin and sorrow. Have you been a recipient of that transaction? It will make you eternally alive at His coming.
Gathered in to a place without sin or sorrow. Those two things are very closely related. Where there is sin, there is sorrow. The place we are headed has neither. That alone seems to make it heaven, but there is yet one more thing that truly makes it so. We will examine that more closely in our Thursday Thoughts.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on what Jesus has accomplished for you. What He did on the cross frees us from sorrow and sin. It is a transaction that is incomprehensible apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Lord, thank You for setting us free from sorrow and sin.”
God, thank You for the final work of gathering us in You will complete upon Your return. Though we long for it help us to help others prepare for it even while we wait. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Liberated Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 34.4 Transcript
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
Even so Lord quickly come
To Thy final harvest-home
Gather Thou Thy people in
Free from sorrow free from sin
There forever purified
In Thy presence to abide
Come with all Thine angels come
Raise the glorious harvest-home
We want Him to come quickly because we are prepared but unfortunately many are not. We should find ourselves in a tension to see His return soon, but also hopeful He will tarry so more may come to know Him and be raised to that final harvest home.
Jesus, come quickly, but not too quickly.
Gathered in to a place without sin or sorrow. Those two things are very closely related. Where there is sin, there is sorrow. The place we are headed has neither. That alone seems to make it heaven, but there is yet one more thing that truly makes it so.
Lord, thank You for setting us free from sorrow and sin.
The thing that makes any place heavenly is the presence of God. When we arrive there, forever purified, we will enjoy a communion with Him that eludes us in this age. We will live in HIs presence, holy to the Lord. How we long for that reality and the coming of that purity!
God, how I long to live in Your presence.
When His angels accompany Him on His second advent it will not be like the first. He will not come back as a baby, but as the Lord of all mankind. How much greater will their song be when He comes to rule the earth? When He comes to establish His glorious harvest home?
Jesus, come with all Your angels.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Are You Ready for Christ’s In-Gathering?appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Even so Lord quickly come To Thy final harvest-home – https://pixabay.com/photos/heaven-clouds-cloud-shape-3335585/
Gather Thou Thy people in Free from sorrow free from sin – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-silhouette-human-106416/
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