Today’s hymn (also known as “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory”) was written in 1861 by Julia Ward Howe. Its opening lines were the last words spoken by Martin Luther King, Junior. On April 3, 1968, King gave a speech in support of sanitation workers in Memphis. He announced, “I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight! I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” The next day he was assassinated on the second floor of the Lorraine Motel.
Jeremiah 25:30-31– “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread [the grapes], against all the inhabitants of the earth. 31 A noise shall come [even] to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them [that are] wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.” Revelation 14:7 - “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 19:1 - “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:”
Song Lyrics: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord! He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps; they have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps; His day is marching on! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him; Be jubilant, my feet; Our God is marching on! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free; While God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
We are in a spiritual battle … we’ve read the end of The Book … Christ-followers win!
Artist: Billy Dean
Writer: Julia Ward Howe
