Straight from the Pastor’s heart
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
We are coming closer to twilight about the coming of Jesus Christ in the clouds. We are now seeing many signs to warn the whole of humanity of the last opportunity to receive the grace of salvation. For God’s children, it is a time of rejoicing for “redemption draweth nigh.”
However, this is not the time to relax and to stop serving just because we are finally going home. It is important that we remain involved in the service of the Lord and take advantage in reaching as many people as God allows by sharing the hope that only Jesus gives. Not only the hope of heaven but also the hope of serving Jesus.
This is the message of “Until Then. It is a song of hope and not of sadness. It is an expression of assurance that all the trials we face and the afflictions we suffer are a calling that will make our eternity more glorious.
“Until Then” was composed by Carl Stuart Hamblen, a well-known country-western singer who also became a Hollywood actor in the 1930s to 1940s. He was also known as the “singing cowboy.” He was a Pastor’s son, but in his youth, he turned his back on the Biblical morality his parents taught him. In 1949, during Billy Graham’s Crusade in Los Angeles, Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ and his life took a totally different direction. He gave up his acting and became an itinerant preacher, reflecting an effective witness of the grace of God. Instead of using his singing for the world, he began to use his musical talent in the Lord’s service, and composed several gospel songs, including the popular “It Is No Secret what God can do.”
One day when he was thinking about his death, Stuart Hamblen said, “When you see me fall asleep, say amen. But don’t you weep.” To him to depart from this world and to be with Christ is a reason for rejoicing. We may be under severe trials and afflictions at present, but “Until Then,” comes joy and eternal blessing.
It was in 1958 when these thoughts came to him that led to the writing of this gospel song “Until Then.” Its message tells us of the glorious change it would bring. This should remind us to remain faithful and obedient in the way we live our lives while we are waiting for the Lord’s return.
Conclusion:
Do you have the same hope and glorious anticipation for His coming? It will be sad if when the Lord comes we are not prepared to meet Him as our Lord and Master. You may be assured of heaven, but are you assured of the rewards to receive to give to our loving Savior? Until Then, what? Will Jesus Christ get the glory and praise?
Let us consider the lyrics of this song and ponder upon its message:
Until Then
I. My heart can sing when I pause to remember A heartache here is but a stepping stone Along a trail that's winding always upward, This troubled world is not my final home. Chorus; But until then my heart will go on singing, Until then with joy I'll carry on, Until the day my eyes behold the city, Until the day God calls me home. II. The things of earth will dim and lose their value If we recall they're borrowed for awhile; And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble, Remembered there will only bring a smile. III. This weary world with all its toil and struggle May take its toll of misery and strife; The soul of man is like a waiting falcon; When it's released, it's destined for the skies.