O word of joy, eternity

1 O word of joy, eternity, Which holds such charms and joy for me, O Life without cessation! Eternity, from sorrows free, Such thoughts bring peace that I can be Relieved from earth’s vexation; They fill my heart with sweetest cheer, When trials and grief assail me here. 2 No splendor here can be unfurled Which will remain, but with the world Shall fall into destruction; Eternity will e’er endure; Its light and joys, divinely pure, Are free from all corruption; Yea, God to us did this reveal Within His word of sweet appeal. 3 It matters not that we endure, As martyrs also did of yore, The cross and much affliction. Although our suff’ring were amassed And all upon the balance placed, We’d find this full conviction: Eternal life doth far outweigh All trials for which it doth repay. 4 Behold the plight of the condemned, How sad their fate without an end, Those cast into perdition! They ever die, but death comes not; They weep and bear the saddest lot In mournful, lost condition. How great will then that glory be For us who from this will be free! 5 Throughout the long eternity The ransomed host shall dwell with Thee; They never shall grow weary. Rejoicing with the angels there, The blest inheritance they share In peace and endless glory. As angels, they from manna live, Which Christ, true to His promise, gives. 6 Ah, how I long now to depart To satisfy my weary heart With Thee, O life immortal! When can I soon to Thee ascend To where my thoughts do daily wend And enter heaven’s portal? I would forget this world and strife And work for sweet eternal life.

Source: Zion's Harp: a collection of hymns and songs for the Apostolic Christian Church of America #103