Wonderful Story of Love

1  

Wonderful story of love; tell it to me again;  

Wonderful story of love; wake the immortal strain!  

Angels with rapture announce it, 

Shepherds with wonder receive it;  

Sinner, O won’t you believe it?  

Wonderful story of love.  

2  

Wonderful story of love; though you are far away;  

Wonderful story of love; still He doth call to-day;  

Calling from Calvary’s mountain,  

Down from the crystal bright fountain,  

E’en from the dawn of creation,  

Wonderful story of love.  

3  

Wonderful story of love;  Jesus provides a rest;  

Wonderful story of love;  for all the pure and blest;  

Rest in those mansions above us,  

With those who’ve gone on before us,  

Singing the rapturous chorus,  

Wonderful story of love.    

Refrain:  

Wonderful! 

Wonderful! 

Wonderful!  

Wonderful story of love!

  

Author: J. M. Driver    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWZmUOS0Yo&list=RDEsWZmUOS0Yo&start_radio=1

 "angels with rapture announce it; shepherds with wonder receive it"  

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.    

 "calling from Calvary's mountain"  

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.    

 "down from the crystal bright fountain"  

Revelation 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.    

 "e'en from the dawn of creation"  

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:    

 "Jesus provides a rest"  

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.    

 "rest in those mansions above us"  

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.    

 "singing the rapturous chorus"  

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.    

 What a great song! It evokes scripture with nearly every line of the lyric.    

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful !! Wonderful story of love!"

There Is a Habitation

1  

There is a habitation,  

Built by the living God,  

For all of ev'ry nation  

Who seek that grand abode.  

2  

A city with foundations,  

Firm as th'eternal throne;  

Nor wars nor desolations  

Shall ever move a stone.  

3  

No night is there, no sorrow,  

No death, and no decay;  

No yesterday, no morrow --  

But one eternal day.  

4  Within its pearly portals,  

Angelic armies sing,  

With glorified immortals,  

The praises of its King.    

REFRAIN  

O Zion, Zion,  

I long thy gates to see;  

O Zion, Zion,  

When shall I dwell in thee?

  

Author: L. H. Jameson    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0HYD7ae5xo&list=RDH0HYD7ae5xo&start_radio=1

What Is the Meaning of Zion in the Bible? The ancient Hebrew word Tsiyon (Zion) is “a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible ‘City of David.’" Zion can refer to one of three places: the hill where the most ancient areas of Jerusalem stood; the city of Jerusalem itself; or the dwelling place of God.     

In the New Testament, Zion can refer to the "New Jerusalem"  

Revelation 21:1-3 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. ...  

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.    

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.    

Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.    

Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.    

Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.    

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.    

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.    

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:    

Revelation 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.    

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.    

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.       

2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.  

Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion  

Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.  

Psalm 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.  

Psalm 132:13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.  

Isaiah 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:  

Isaiah 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.  

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  

1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

When We All Get to Heaven

1  

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,  

Sing His mercy and His grace;  

In the mansions bright and blessed  

He'll prepare for us a place.  

2  

While we walk the pilgrim pathway  

Clouds will overspread the sky;  

But when trav'ling days are over  

Not a shadow, not a sigh.  

3  

Let us then be true and faithful,  

Trusting, serving ev'ry day;  

Just one glimpse of Him in glory  

Will the toils of life repay.  

4  

Onward to the prize before us!  

Soon His beauty we'll behold;  

Soon the pearly gates will open–  

We shall tread the streets of gold.     

Refrain:  

When we all get to heaven,  

What a day of rejoicing that will be!  

When we all see Jesus,  

We'll sing and shout the victory!

  

Author: E. E. Hewitt (1898)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ClwsynwVrI&list=RD6ClwsynwVrI&start_radio=1

 John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.    

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.    

Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.    

Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Alone At Eve

1  

Walking alone at eve and viewing the skies afar,  

Bidding the darkness come to welcome each silver star;  

I have a great delight in the wonderful scenes above,  

God in His pow'r and might is showing His truth and love.  

2  

Sitting alone at eve and dreaming the hours away,  

Watching the shadows falling now at the close of day;  

God in His mercy comes, with His Word He is drawing near,  

Spreading His love and truth around me and ev'rywhere.  

3  

Closing my eyes at eve and thinking of Heaven’s grace,  

Longing to see my Lord, yes, meeting Him face to face;  

Trusting Him as my all wheresoever my footsteps roam,  

Pleading with Him to guide me on to the spirit’s home!  

Refrain:  

O! for a home with God, a place in His courts to rest.  

Sure in a safe abode with Jesus and the blest;  

Rest for a weary soul once redeemed by the Savior’s love,  

Where I’ll be pure and whole and live with my God above!

    

Author: Thomas R. Sweatmon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_u3DVjSy38&list=RDy_u3DVjSy38&start_radio=1

 Psalm 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!    

Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.    

Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

I Know My Name is There

1  

My name is in the book of Life,  

Oh, bless the name of Jesus;  

I rise above all doubt and strife,  

And read my title clear.  

2  

My name once stood with sinners lost,  

And bore a painful record;  

But by His blood the Savior crossed,  

And placed it on His roll.  

3  

Yet inward trouble often cast,  

A shadow o’er my title;  

But now with full salvation blest,  

Praise God! it’s ever clear.  

4  

While others climb through worldly strife  

To carve a name of honor,  

High up in heaven’s book of Life,  

My name is written there.

Refrain:  

I know, I know,  My name is there;  

I know, I know,  My name is written there.  

     

 Author: D. S. Warner    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aou8kGsCvsw&list=RDaou8kGsCvsw&start_radio=1

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.    

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand

1  

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,  

And cast a wishful eye  

To Canaan's fair and happy land,  

Where my possessions lie.  

2  

O'er all those wide extended plains  

Shines one eternal day;  

There God the Son forever reigns,  

And scatters night away.  

3  

No chilling winds or poisonous breath  

Can reach that healthful shore;  

Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,  

Are felt and feared no more.  

4  

When I shall reach that happy place,  

I'll be forever blest,  

For I shall see my Father's face,  

And in his bosom rest.  

Refrain:  

We will rest in the fair and happy land by and by  

Just across on the ever green shore  

Sing the song of Moses and the Lamb by and by  

And dwell with Jesus ever more.

  

Hymn lyrics: Samuel Stennett (1787)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg4lvzAi0Uc&list=RDRg4lvzAi0Uc&start_radio=1

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.    

 The hymn writer imagines himself in the place of Old Testament Israel, about to cross the Jordan River into the land God had promised Abraham, a land flowing with milk and honey. In many hymns and gospel songs the image of "crossing the Jordan" is symbolic for passing from this earthly life into the heavenly realm.    

 Joshua 3:14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; 15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) 16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan…    

Joshua 4:17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. 18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.    

 There are two versions of this song in my memory. One is the version we sang at the Watervliet Church of Christ -- the one cited above -- with the refrain "We will rest in the fair and happy land by and by". The other version is one we sang at Harding College, which had a somewhat more sedate tune and the refrain "I am bound for the promised land..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPAxha7VMkA&list=RDQPAxha7VMkA&start_radio=1

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

1  

We read of a place that’s called heaven,  

It’s made for the pure and the free;  

These truths in God’s Word He hath given,  

How beautiful heaven must be.  

2  

In heaven no drooping nor pining,  

No wishing for elsewhere to be;  

God’s light is forever there shining,  

How beautiful heaven must be. 

3  

Pure waters of life there are flowing,  

And all who will drink may be free;  

Rare jewels of splendor are glowing,  

How beautiful heaven must be.  

4  

The angels so sweetly are singing,  

Up there by the beautiful sea;  

Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,  

How beautiful heaven must be.     

Refrain:  

How beautiful heaven must be,  

Sweet home of the happy and free;  

Fair haven of rest for the weary,  

How beautiful heaven must be.

  

Author: Mrs. A S. Bridgewater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aRNSjoHdKI&list=RD8aRNSjoHdKI&start_radio=1

 "fair haven of rest for the weary"  

Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  

Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

    "God's light is forever there shining"  

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.  

 "pure waters of life there are flowing"  

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.    

 "rare jewels of splendor"  

Revelation 21:19-21 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.    

 "the angels so sweetly are singing"  

Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.    

 "sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing"  

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.  

Revelation 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:  

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.