“That Day”
H J Vine
Onward our steps we urge to gain
That day! That day!
When justice, peace and joy shall reign,
When no unwelcome blot shall stain
The radiant day.
The upward road we tread to reach
The goal: it may
Be rugged, but its toils shall teach
Divinest lessons to us each
For that glad day.
To honour, thanks and glory found
When ends the way;
The trials borne in faith resound
To God’s own praise where songs abound
Throughout that day.
Our feet still forward then would speed
Without delay,
Nor Babel’s painted semblance heed,
For did not Christ our Saviour bleed
To bring that day?
And when its dawning greets the eye
With gorgeous ray,
The fiends of night and darkness fly
Before the Lord who draweth nigh
On that great day.
In that sweet time when anger’s passed
Shall Israel say,
Praise ye the Lord! His doings vast
Have wrought deliverance at last!—
Welcome the day!
’Tis Jesse’s Offspring, David’s Son—
Once cast away—
Who overwhelmed the wicked one,
Edom profane and Babylon,
Bringing the day.
At Armageddon armies great
In proud array
Appeared! He smote them, sealed their fate,
Just retribution of their hate
On that great day.
The people in the far-off shores
Praise God as they
Embrace His rule, which round them pours
Rich mercies filling all their stores!
They hail that day.
With equity He’ll rule o’er all
And fear allay.
The pure in heart and gentle shall
Upon His Name with blessings call,
In that bright day.
Not yet has dawned that glorious reign
God’s Words portray:
Their truth, however, is not vain;
Christ for His saints will come again
And bring that day.
Before He comes in power to bring
His royal sway,
Swift, like a bird of rapid wing,
They’ll rise to Him on high, and sing
Still of that day.
His love shall then be satisfied:
In white array
His bride—the Church for which He died
Rejoiceth ever at His side
In endless day.
Those who desired Him to appear,
And loved His day,
Bright crowns of righteousness shall wear,
And with Him in His glory share
Throughout that day.
Angels above in praise unite,
And hail that day!
Hosts of the heavens! Orbs of light!
Glow in your glory! Hail the sight
Of Christ’s bright day!
Forward and upward let us press
Until that day.
God’s grace, which called us, let us bless,
And hasten onward to possess
That glorious day.