“What If It Were Today?”
By Brian F. Reid, NTUBC, October 21, 2007

Rev. Robert Lowry, was an American Professor of Literature, a Baptist Minister, and Composer of gospel hymns. Once upon a time, a very severe epidemic (of either Yellow Fever or Cholera) was raging through NY. All around him, family, friends and acquaintances were passing away to the spirit land, in large numbers.

These, are his words;

“One afternoon in July, 1864, when I was pastor at Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, the weather was oppressively hot, and I was lying on a lounge, in a state of physical exhaustion. My imagination began to take itself wings. Visions of the future passed before me with startling vividness.”

“Brightest of all, were the throne, the heavenly river, and the gathering of the saints. I began to wonder why the hymn writers had said so much about the “river of death,” and so little, about the “pure water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.”

“As I mused, the words began to construct themselves. They came first as a question of Christian inquiry, ‘Shall we gather?’ Then, they broke in chorus, ‘Yes, we’ll gather.’

On this question, and answer, the hymn developed itself. The music came with the hymn.”

All hymns, written, bring glory and praise to God; and (most often) are based upon scripture. You can take (almost) any hymn, and trace it’s origins, right back to the Word.

And, one can gain a certain understanding of Scritpure, from simply analyzing the words of hymns; hymns like; “Shall We Gather at the River.”


Some time, after the original hymn as written and published, numerous times in various hymnals and volumes (with 5 verses), the second verse as changed, and the 4th verse was completely removed.

This hymn, is one of the most beloved, ever written; used (most often) during funerals and memorial services. It is a comfort, and a calling home.

But, the song doesn’t have to be connected or associated with just, such, sad, times; for, it is (also) a happy reminder of the promise that God made, and then, made possible, through Jesus Christ. This hymn talks about our eternal destiny and glory, and life everlasting.

So, let’s take a closer look at this hymn; as it stands today.

Vs 1.
Shall we gather at the river.
Back then, a river was most important to the people.
It served as transportation, people drew food from it, used it as irrigation for their crops, they bathe in it, and the children played in it. For example, the River Jordan was scared - to these people.

So, the word ‘river’ was used as a metaphor, where the river runs through out all the land, reaching to the farthest, most isolated and desolate of land; and people.

The river symbolizes life from God, and the blessings that flow from His throne. It is a gentle, safe, deep river, expanding as it flows. The many blessings of God are also - gentle, safe, deep/abundant, and the flow expands; effecting and influencing many – those who believe.

In this metaphoric use, the River also represents a meeting place of those who believe. There, we will cross the River into God’s glorious Kingdom; where we will live for eternity.

Remember the song we sang earlier;
“And then one day I’ll cross the river; I’ll fight life’s final war with pain; And then as death gives way to victory, I see the lights of glory, and I’ll know He lives.”

We shall live, with Him – there.

Where bright angel-feet have trod.
What is the significance of the Angel’s footprints?
Angels are Holy messengers of God, first and foremost. They offer guidance and gives instructions, delivers prior information of coming events; such as the Birth of Jesus in Matthew 1 & Luke 29.
They also are agents of destruction and judgment, sent by the Lord. But, most importantly, they are agents of protection and deliverance.

Trod means pathway, trail, or stepped. So, this line is just to let us know, that where we are going, Angel’s have already been there, and will return again; at the appointed time. It is a re-assurance; for if God sent His angels there, it must be a heavenly and peaceful place – free from all influences of sin; a most protected place.

At the River, is where we will be delivered into the Kingdom of God; with angels as our guide and protection.

With its crystal tide forever.
This line has a double meaning.

First, the water is crystal clear, a reference to being clean; such as having our sins washed away, and we becoming pure – as white as snow. So, the crystal waters of the River remind us of our purity; because of the washing away of our sins by Christ, and that the Water itself (x2), is free, from all impurities and imperfections.

The other meaning, in this line, is simply a guarantee, that the waters will flow ‘unceasing.’ “With its crystal tide forever.”





Flowing by the throne of God?

Here, we are told that the waters ‘flow by’ the throne of God; which means; by way of, or through, or because of; the Throne of God

A ‘throne,’ in its literal sense, is a chair, of a reigning monarch. Figuratively, the word ‘throne’ signifies royal power, rather than a place of administration. It is (also) a symbol of exaltation, glorification, and majesty.

It was Jeremiah, who declared Jerusalem as; “The Throne of the Lord,” (Jeremiah 3:17).

This was God’s earthly throne, but in Isaiah 66:1, the Lord, Himself proclaimed; “Heaven is my Throne, and earth is my footstool.”

Heaven is God’s Throne, and where He rules from; and, grants the outpouring of Living Water.

Verse 2;

On the bosom of the river,
Where the Savior-King we own
We shall meet and sorrow never,
‘Neath the glory of the Throne.

‘Bosom’ indicates intimacy or closeness. If the river represents life from God, then this special bond, this closeness (the bosom) points to the connection of the life-saving redemption of Christ.

“Where the Savior-King we own.” Our Savior is Christ, our King is our Lord, God; here 2 of the trinity are present (in one being). Then, the next line, “we shall meet;” finally the three are united. God the Father, and King; Jesus, the Son, and Savior; and the Holy Spirit, which has been dwelling in us, since we came to believe. Finally, together.

The word ‘own’ in this line, could indicate our ownership of the salvation, that the ‘Savior-King’ offers.
It could also be a happy and joyous reminder of His claim, possession or dominion over us; and the peace, security, and confidence, that comes from knowing that.

Along the banks of that River, we will become one with the Lord, as we become an important, and intricate, part of the Kingdom of God. And in that Kingdom, in that dwelling place, sorrow does not exist.

‘Neath the glory of the Throne.’ ‘Glory’ has to do with the splendor and the magnificence of eternity; as well as a way to praise and describe God’s presence.

Hebrews 2:10 says;
“And it was only right that God – who made everything, and for whom everything was made – should bring His many children into glory…through the suffering of Jesus.”

God’s grace, to us, led Christ, to His death. Jesus did not come into the world to gain status or political power, but to suffer, and to die, so that we could have eternal life.

That, my friends, is the ‘Glory, beneath the Throne, that we have inherited as Children of God; life eternal.

Vs 3. Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

The word ‘ere,’ I think, means ‘when’ (not if); ‘when we reach the river’ – it instills, an absolute certainty.

The ‘shinning’ of the river, might be in reference to the way that light sparkles and dances on the particles of water; we often see near the shoreline. That light, that ‘shinning,’ may be Christ’s own illumination.

Then, when we do reach the river (and we will – all those who believe), we can lay every burden down. Every care or concern we ever had, or have, can be given up, laid down, and swallowed up, by the ‘shinning river;’ which is flowing-full with God’s blessings, His mercy, His love, and His grace.

For, it is His Grace, that will deliver our spirits, to the other side – of the river. God’s grace, His free and unmerited favor toward (us) sinful humans, His grace knows, no bounds, no limitations, and God’s grace knows, no delay.

Luke 4:19 tells us; “the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Grace.

The ‘robe and crown,’ spoke of in this verse, is one of the many promises from God. Through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, God promises to rid our lives of sin; washing us clean – giving us a whole new wardrobe.

Zechariah 3:3-4;
“Jeshua’s clothing was filthy, as he stood before the angel. So, the angel said to the others standing there, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ And turning to Jeshua, he said, ‘See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you, these fine new clothes.’”
In those days, fine robes and clothing was given and worn as a distinction of honor. In Revelation 6:10, those who were martyred for Christ’s sake, were given white robes to wear. It was a way to signify what they had given for Christ – with white represents purity.

Also, in Revelation 4:4, the Apostle, John describes the 24 thrones in heaven and the 24 elders who sat upon them; “They were clothed in white robes and had golden crowns on their heads.”

Their ‘white garments’ and ‘golden crowns’ suggest righteousness, spiritual purity, and victory. The robes that will be offered to us, at the river, symbolize God’s goodness – draped over us; these robes suggest our new bodies, that we will given – on that day; for, finally, we will be completely purified.

The Apostle, Paul, tells us this from 2 Timothy 4;
“I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And, now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, that the Lord will give me, on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.”

In Roman games, a laurel wreath, was given to the winners; a symbol of triumph and honor. Such was the ‘crown of righteousness;’ given by God, a show of victory – victory over sin and victory over death.

Vs 4. Soon we'll reach the silver river;
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

When Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well, he spoke of the Living Water. Christ offered his Living Water to her, and offers it to all; for anyone can come and drink of the Water of Life.

Salvation cannot be earned, for God gives it freely; through his Living Water. It’s sad to think that we live in a world of thirsty people, drowning in a sea of sin. Christ invites all to come and drink; and never be thirsty again.

Revelation 22:17;
“Come. Let each one who hears them say, ‘Come.’ Let the thirsty ones come – anyone who wants to. Let them come, and drink the water of life, without charge.


The Chorus
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river,
That flows by the throne of God.

We, all who believe, and have crossed into God’s Kingdom, now walk the shoreline, praising, in thanksgiving, Christ, for His gift of salvation. All day long, with no cares or concerns; we are content.

We will be smiling at the river, as we accept our rightful place; but the river ‘smiles’ also. The river that reflects the saviors face, is happy (also), because we have accepted His offer of everlasting- life.

The Saints are all those who have accept Christ as their savior and Lord; for we are all saints; we are a priesthood of believers – Holy Ones, consecrated, blessed, and sanctified for God’s service.

And our physical death, will not separate us from God’s love; for when our physical bodies die, that death is the beginning of eternal life. And it is that death, that gives way to victory, that we all seek, and are most thankful for.


Conclusion:

God makes it possible, through Christ, Jesus, that we might meet at the river, and be escorted into the Kingdom of God. God makes it possible, through Christ, Jesus, that we might live forever. God makes it possible, through Christ, Jesus, that we might live eternally in peace and contentment. God makes it possible, through Christ, Jesus, that we might gather with the Saints at the River.

(Stories of the Great Hymns of the Church, page 141, # 123)

My question to you, is the very same, of that of the lady to the Scottish laddie; “Shall you be there?

Let’s Pray;