Lo! He Comes, With Clouds Descending- Hymn with Lyrics

1. Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,
once for favored sinners slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of His train:
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
God appears on earth to reign.

2. Every eye shall now behold Him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at naught and sold Him,
pierced, and nailed Him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply
wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

3. Every island, sea, and mountain,
heav'n and earth, shall flee away;
all who hate Him must, confounded,
hear the trump proclaim the day:
Come to judgment! Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come to judgment, come away!

4. Now redemption, long expected,
see in solemn pomp appear!
And His saints, by men rejected,
coming with Him in the air.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
See the day of God appear!

5. Yea, amen! Let all adore Thee,
high on Thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the pow'r and glory,
claim the kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly, O come quickly, O come
quickly!
Alleluia! Come, Lord, come!

Scripture; Genesis 1:3-5; Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:13-18; 

Matthew 6:13

 

The hymn "Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending" is one of the most powerful and vivid hymns in Christian liturgical tradition, depicting the Second Coming of Christ. The hymn is based on the Book of Revelation, specifically Revelation 1:7, and it has been a favorite part of Advent and eschatological worship services, focusing on Christ’s return in glory and majesty.

Story Behind the Hymn:

The hymn was written by Charles Wesley (1707–1788), one of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history, and the brother of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Charles Wesley wrote "Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending" in 1758, and it was first published in 1759 in a collection titled "Hymns for the Advent of Our Lord."

Wesley, who wrote over 6,000 hymns in his lifetime, was deeply engaged in the theological themes of redemption, salvation, and the ultimate return of Jesus Christ. His hymn reflects the intense expectation of Christ’s Second Coming, a theme that was important in the 18th century, particularly in the context of Wesley’s own religious convictions.

The hymn was composed during a time when there was a great deal of focus on the apocalyptic themes of the Bible. Christians in the 18th century often looked toward the Second Coming with anticipation, particularly in the context of political and social upheaval. The imagery of Christ returning "with clouds descending" emphasizes His majesty, glory, and the final judgment. Wesley’s powerful words invite believers to reflect on the coming of the Savior to establish His eternal kingdom.