Poet’s Note to the Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

These lines were written that you might lift your eyes above the present hour and behold the King in His beauty. They are offered to the family of believers—not as mere ornament, but as a summons: to see Christ, to rest in the surety of God’s care, and to anticipate with gladness the day when every sorrow shall flee and everlasting joy crown the heads of the ransomed.

Herein are set the joys of Heaven: the fullness of joy in the presence of God, the pleasures forevermore at His right hand, the great multitude crying “Hallelujah” at the marriage of the Lamb, the city whose light is the glory of God and the Lamb, the dwelling of God with His people, the wiping away of every tear, and the everlasting song of the redeemed who enter Zion with singing. These are no distant shadows, but the promised inheritance—joy unspeakable and full of glory, the reward of those who look to Him.

The rhyme is classical, the manner victorious, that the music itself might echo the majesty of the One who reigns. May the poem serve as a quiet companion on the way, pointing always beyond itself to the Lamb upon the throne, the marriage supper prepared, and the city whose light is the glory of God. May it stir in you a holy longing for the joys that await, where sorrow and sighing shall flee away forever.

Read it, if you will, in the company of those you love; let its measures carry you toward the joy that no hand can take away.

Yours in the hope of that day,
The Poet

Isaiah 35:10 (ESV)
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Revelation 19:6–7 (ESV)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.

Revelation 21:3–4 (ESV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

In realms beyond the veil of mortal breath,
Where time has ceased and silence yields to song,
The hosts of heaven, with the saints from death,
Lift up their voices in a throng so strong
That earth’s last echoes tremble at the sound,
And glory crowns the everlasting ground.

Behold the Lamb, once slain, now crowned in light,
His wounds the trophies of the victory won;
Around His throne the ransomed saints unite,
Their tears all wiped, their labor all undone.
No mourning lingers, no more sighing stays—
For everlasting joy is on their heads.

The city comes, descending pure and bright,
Its gates of pearl, its streets of living gold;
The glory of the Father is its light,
The Lamb its lamp, more radiant than of old.
God dwells among them; they are His own care,
And He their God, and they His people fair.

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God now reigns;
Let every creature in the heavens rejoice.
The marriage of the Lamb has come; the chains
Of death are broken by His sovereign choice.
The Bride is ready, clad in linen white,
And all the angels shout with pure delight.

O family of the faithful, lift your eyes!
The path of life is known; the promise sure.
In His right hand are pleasures that arise
Forevermore, and joy that shall endure.
Set now your hearts on things above, and see
The Christ who calls you to His victory.

The former things have passed; the night is done.
The former order fades before His face.
Enter the joy your Master has begun—
The fullness of His presence, love, and grace.
With singing come, the ransomed of the Lord,
And crown His head with everlasting word.

Thus shall the Kingdom stand, triumphant, free,
And every tongue confess the Lamb is King.
Sorrow and sighing all at last shall flee,
While saints and angels one great anthem sing:
“Worthy is He who sits upon the throne—
To Him be glory, power, and praise alone!”

**To God be the glory always and only.