2. Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning!
Long by the prophets of Israel foretold;
Hail to the millions from prison returning!
Abraham’s children, the vision behold.

3. “Wake! O awake from the dust, all you sleepers!”
Out from their graves, like the butterflies, appear:
Prophets and saints, children joined to their mothers;
“Victory!” shouts, as they rise through the air.

4. See the dead risen from land and from ocean,
Praise to the Saviour ascending on high;
Fall’n are the engines of war and commotion,
Shouts of salvation are rending the sky.

Here’s a lovely hymn about the resurrection morning. We should let our imaginations grasp that scene often, and it will make all of our trials seem quite small in view of the reward, not just for us, but for all the sleeping saints who are waiting for us to do our work so they can enter into their heavenly rest.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:6

This song borrows a few verses from the James White version in Hymns for Second Advent Believers, but I added the third verse, and included parts of the fourth from the original hymn and parts from James White’s version.

1. Faith is God’s work in us, making us new men.
2. Faith is an increase of life within the soul.
3. Faith claims nothing less than what God promises.
4. Faith is God’s Law working out in common things.
5. Faith is what will clean the soul from ev’ry sin.
6. Faith turns ev’ry curse into a blessing.
7. Faith is what is left when earthly things are gone.

Brother have you faith? Sister have you faith?

(1) Faith is God’s work in us, making us new men.
(2) Faith is an increase of life within the soul.
(3) Faith claims nothing less than what God promises.
(4) Faith is God’s Law working out in common things.
(5) Faith is what will clean the soul from ev’ry sin.
(6) Faith turns ev’ry curse into a blessing.
(7) Faith is what is left when earthly things are gone.

Brother have you faith? Sister have you faith?

(1) Faith is God’s work in us, making us new men.
(2) Faith is an increase of life within the soul.
(3) Faith claims nothing less than what God promises.
(4) Faith is God’s Law working out in common things.
(5) Faith is what will clean the soul from ev’ry sin.
(6) Faith turns ev’ry curse into a blessing.
(7) Faith is what is left when earthly things are gone.

2. When we behold your order,
    And harmony of soul,
And hear divinest numbers
    In pure devotion roll,
The gems of truth are glowing
    With such enliv’ning grace,
We view the Saviour’s image,
    Impressed on every face.

3. Speak often to each other,
    To cheer the fainting mind;
And often be your voices
    In pure devotion joined;
Though trials may await you,
    The crown before you lies;
Take courage, brother pilgrim;
    And soon you’ll win the prize.

4. You shall be mine, says Jesus,
    In that auspicious day,
When I make up my jewels,
    Released from cumbrous clay;
He’ll polish and refine you,
    From worthless dross and tin;
And to his heav’nly kingdom
    Will bid you enter in.

5. As Aaron with his girdle,
    In shining jewels dressed,
Bore all the tribes of Israel
    Inscribed upon his breast;
So will the Priest of Zion,
    Before the Father’s throne,
Present the heirs of glory,
    And God the kindred own.

6. We’ll range the wide dominion
    Of our Redeemer round,
And in dissolving raptures
    Be lost in love profound;
While all the flaming harpers
    Begin the lasting song,
With hallelujahs rolling
    From the unnumbered throng.

This song is a friendly tribute to our church center in Germany, whose pictures you see performing in the upper right corner of these web pages.

2. The Ark when borne to Jordan’s tide,
    Caused its deep waters to divide;
They need no boat for to embark;
    They cross—because they have the Ark.

3. They march around old Jericho,
    Its tow’ring walls are laid full low;
Hear ye that mighty shouting? Hark!
    They triumph, for they have the Ark.

4. Where was the strength by which it wrought,
    And to its bearers vict’ry brought?
It was a chest of wood—but mark!
    The Law of God was in the Ark.

5. When men oppose that Law of Love,
    They lack the wisdom from above;
Deluded souls! They’re in the dark.
    Without the truth—without the Ark.

6. The remnant in these latter days
    Will triumph sure; give God the praise!
They, of the beast, refuse the mark,
    They keep God’s Law—they have the Ark.

Refrain
While the choir of angels,
While the choir of angels,
While the choir of angels,
  Shall be chanting through the sky.
Repeat

2. Hark the tidings onward rolling,
    Jesus comes, the world controlling!
Hark! The tidings onward rolling,
    Jesus comes to reign.
Refrain

3. See the “sign” in heaven appearing,
    And the blazing chariot nearing,
See the “sign” in heaven appearing,
    And the Saviour there.
Refrain

4. See the earth in terror shaking,
    And the dead to life awaking,
See the earth in terror shaking,
    And the saints arise.
Refrain

5. Now on wings of light ascending
    With a shining host attending,
Now on wings of light ascending,
    See them mount the skies.
Refrain

6. See, the banner waves in glory,
    While ten thousand tell the story,
See, the banner waves in glory,
    And the saints are there.
Refrain

7. They are saved from death forever,
    Praise to Him who did deliver,
They are saved from death for ever,
    And to die no more.
Refrain

2. My soul is on fire, with faith and with love,
    I long to ascend to my Jesus above;
But no, I must follow within His humble track,
    And prove my obedience by not drawing back.

3. Then let us press onward, for Jesus is near,
    And strengthen each other with words of good cheer;
With zeal every buoyant and courage never slack,
    Be true to our Saviour, and never draw back.

2. I hope to see Him on the throne
    In glory, glory, glory;
When He shall come to claim His own,
    In glory, glory, glory.
I’ll sing while mounting through the air,
    Of glory, glory, glory;
To meet my Father’s children there,
    In glory, glory, glory!

3. Come on, dear friends, let’s mend our pace,
    To glory, glory, glory;
We soon shall see Him face to face,
    In glory, glory, glory.
The Bride shall reign, the Bridegroom too,
    In glory, glory, glory;
Let’s keep the blessed prize in view,
    ’Tis glory, glory, glory!

Thus instead of our own, it leads us to choose His way;
In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom;
In place of our weakness, His strength;
In place of our sinfulness, His righteousness.

Our lives, ourselves, are already His;
    Faith acknowledges His ownership and accepts its blessing.

Truth, uprightness, purity,
    Have been pointed out as secrets of life’s success.

It is faith, it is faith, it is faith that
    puts us in possession of these principles.
It is faith, it is faith, it is faith that
    puts us in possession of these principles.

- Education, p. 253

You may search the Internet for the “secrets of life’s success,” but you will rarely, if ever, find “truth, uprightness, and purity” in the list! Yet in God’s sight, these are the keys to success.

These keys to success come to us via the Bible, not just as theories, but as living principles, like seeds which have the law of life in them. It is faith that opens the door to receiving these blessings from God.

And that is the message of this song!

Refrain
His power gives an overwhelming comfort;
    We wait in confidence, let come what may.
In evening and in morning He is with us,
    His presence is for ev’ry dawning day.

2. Although You give sometimes a cup so bitter;
    With sorrow filled, up to the highest brim;
We thankfully accept it; God has given,
    And only goodness ever comes from Him.
You always want to fill us with Your gladness;
    This worldly glitter burns our weary eyes;
We want to see the way the You have led us,
    And give our life to You, without disguise.
Refrain

3. the quiet candle, keep it warmly burning;
    You gave it when the dark was at its height.
So lead us, when You can, to be together,
    We always know Your light shines in the night.
When deathly silence seems to be encroaching,
    Oh let us hear with clearness ev’ry tone;
The unseen world is singing all around us:
    His children’s praise, ascending to the throne.
Refrain

2. When the Lord’s my Shepherd waters are so still;
    Troubles don’t upset me, resting in His will.
Kept from all straying by His staff and rod;
    Laws and corrections: comfort from my God!
(Repeat last two lines)

3. When the Lord’s my Shepherd enemies are near;
    But He spreads a table filled with holy cheer.
“Come and partake, you wand’rers in the way!
    My cup o’erflows to everlasting day.”
(Repeat last two lines)

4. When the Lord’s my Shepherd I am His own sheep;
    Only follow His voice, His commandments keep.
Goodness and mercy follow all my days;
    In His own temple I will sing His praise!
(Repeat last two lines)

In this poetic paraphrase of Psalm 23, I’ve tried to relate the various images to points of importance in the gospel message as it fits to our day:

1. “sharing His nature” – This was the foundation of the revival of the 1888 message, which Fred Wright experienced and later taught around the world. The old spiritual nature, also called the “stony heart,” “old man,” “unclean fountain,” and “carnal mind” needs to be removed, and a new nature put in its place: the nature of Jesus Christ, the new spiritual Father of the human race. Fred used to say, “we are not men with new ideas, we are NEW MEN!”
2. “walking in His plan” – refers to the Sabbath Rest message, wherein we were taught that God is our Plan-Maker, Problem-Solver, and Burden-Bearer. This is the true principle of the Sabbath, which is lived throughout the week: resting in God’s plans. It was what Abraham learned in the struggle to obtain a promised son: God promised the son, and it would come in His plan, and His way. Human plan-making always delays God’s work, and robs Him of His glory.
3. the “peaceful, grassy way” – refers to two things. First, to the principle of non-violence, which is a part of God’s kingdom, where truth and love are the prevailing powers; Second, to the vegetarian diet which God has prescribed for these last days, especially in those countries where there is abundance, and meat-eating is a luxury that robs the poorer parts of the world from obtaining enough food to survive.
4. “resting in His will” – again refers to the Sabbath Rest message.
5. “laws and corrections” – refers to the prominence of the Law as the foundation of God’s kingdom and character. Protestants have followed the path of Rome in setting aside the divine statutes, by perverting the gospel into an excuse for sin, and misrepresenting the Law as legalism. But true law-keeping is righteousness, and it is the purpose of the gospel to make us into a law-keeping, law-loving people. God’s Law is not only the foundation of His government, but is a transcript of His character. Being conformed to His image means being made lawful.
6. “enemies are near” – like Cain, who slew his brother Abel, the true gospel makes enemies among those who stubbornly cling to their own righteousness and their own supposed goodness, and will not humble themselves and accept the healing God offers.
7. “He spreads a table” – God never intended that His church should stop advancing in truth. To those who truly follow God, His truth will constantly unfold in new and fresh revelations.
8. “come and partake” – The truths that God gives are not to be hoarded…they are for the benefit and blessing of the whole world. While not many will appreciate them, there are always some “wand’rers in the way” who long for the rest and comfort that only the living truth can give.
9. “only follow His voice” – There are many self-sent messengers who claim to have a message from God, but God has His own way of appointing His leaders: Gospel Order. The leaders God appoints will build on the past foundations, will not call attention to themselves, will be recognized by the faithful in the church, and will only speak what God gives them to speak. These are the true under-shepherds, whom the sheep can trust.
10. “in His own temple” – the temple of God in heaven is the center of Christ’s work for us. God’s people on earth will have their eyes of faith turned towards that temple, following Christ and cooperating with Him in the work He is doing, as He ends His ministry as High Priest. When He returns to claim them as His own, they will stand in that temple, on the sea of glass, praising Him who brought them safely home.