Shepherd’s Sign

We have been going through a series on the book of Daniel over the last few weeks in our Sunday sermons.  I spoke on chapters 7-9 yesterday, and covering chapters 10-12 next Sunday.  (You should be able to here the lesson here, if you’re interested.)  These are the parts of Daniel that are known as apocalyptic in genre.  Apocalyptic literature is full of imagery and symbolism, exotic creatures, angels, heavenly visions and journeys, giving a stark contrast between present conditions and a glorious future.  This type of writing (also found in the book of Revelation) is especially found during times of crisis, as it provides hope that God is in control, he rules the nations, his plan will bring future hope and he is reigning in heaven (even when things look their bleakest).

I became a disciple of Jesus and was baptized right at the end of my junior year of high school, and my senior year was a particularly challenging time, as many of my friends from school started partying and I found myself alone often because I was trying to lead a holy life.  I faced persecution and pressures of teenage life.  And I loved apocalyptic scripture, finding hope in its dramatic imagery.  I wrote this song my senior year, based particularly on Matthew 24 (known as a “mini-apocalypse”).  I told the congregation I would post it for them to be able to hear.  So here it is, “Shepherd’s Sign” –written in about 1988, and this recording was made way back in 1996.  When I get some time I’d love to make a new updated recording of this one.   Let me know what you think…

Shepherd’s Sign

 

The light-life eyes of those who’ve died
Yet live again a sacrifice
Lifted up, they’ll see the sign
They’ll see the night-thief as he flies

Summer’s here, the fig tree’s bloomed
We trim our lamps to see the bridegroom
And in the air a trumpet call
Echoes the heart cry in my soul

The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky
The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky

Rejected love, they realize
“Who are you?” he asks, with a tear in his eye
“Lord, Lord” Lord, they say
But they lived their life their own way

The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky
The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky

Lo, what a glorious sight appears
To our believing eyes
The earth and sea are passed away
And the old rolling skies
From the third heaven where God resides
That holy, happy place
The new Jerusalem comes down
Adorned with shining grace
His own soft hand shall wipe the tear
From every weeping eye
And pains and groans and griefs and fears
And death itself shall die
And death itself shall die
Death itself shall die

The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky
The sun is black, the sky is red
The stars are fallen, the moon is dead
Creation heaves its childbirth cry
The shepherd’s sign is in the sky

 

 

 

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