"Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying"

"Wake, awake, for night is flying,"
The watchmen on the heights are crying:
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Oh where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia!
With bridal care
Yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris'n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son.
Hail! Hosanna!
We enter all
The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.

Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee,
Let saints and angles sing before Thee
With harp and cymbals' clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where, joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light,
No ear has heard the might
Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we
Eternally
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!

Text and Tune: Philipp Nicolai (tr. Catherine Winkworth)

I have always loved the music of this hymn. And the words give wonderful imagery of our victorious Lord, the Bridegroom, coming. There is no need to be afraid of end times; we know by faith in Christ we are ready for our Lord's coming and have so much to look forward to. We can't begin to imagine how awesome heaven will be, but we can take comfort right now as we go through the struggles of everyday life, that since we have faith in Christ, His victory is ours, and we will reign with Him.