Behold, What Light Rolls Back The Sky?

Behold, what light rolls back the sky?

What fear and trepidation!

The trumpets blast a vict'ry cry

For ransomed congregations.

And leading them, their sovereign head,

Is Christ the judge of quick and dead,

Demanding exultation.

No doubt or atheistic thought

Shall then deny God's power.

Those who against his gospel fought

Shall wail and gnash and cower.

For those who claim they could not know,

Creation's witness here below

Condemns them in that hour.

The spirit-called and blood-redeemed

Shall have full vindication,

Enjoying God with bliss undreamed

In holy consummation.

And those that sleep in Christ, who rise

With flesh made new before their eyes,

Receive glorification.

Then let our voice erupt in song

In prayer for His returning.

Be pleased, Lord, not to tarry long

To end creation's yearning.

Acquitted at your judgement seat,

We'll cast our crowns before your feet-

Not ours but Christ's the earning.