# The Future Peace and Glory of the Church explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This chapter, based on Isaiah 60:15-20, presents a prophetic vision of the future peace and glory of the Church. God promises His afflicted and broken people that He will build them fair abodes, where tribulation and war will cease. The Church will enjoy endless pleasures, peace, and righteousness, and will no longer experience the cycles of suns descending or waning moons. Instead, God Himself will be their everlasting light and glory, transforming their gloom into eternal noon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life

The chapter vividly portrays the future state of the Church as one of eternal peace, joy, and uninterrupted light, where God is the everlasting light.

### Suffering and Affliction

The opening lines acknowledge the present afflictions and brokenness of God's people, which are contrasted with the future glory.

## Character check-ins

### God

The speaker who promises future peace and glory to His people.

### The Saints

The people of God, described as faint, few, comfortless, afflicted, and broken, who receive the promises of future glory.

## Key lines

> I Hear what God the Lord hath spoken: 'O my people, faint and few, Comfortless, afflicted, broken, Fair abodes I build for you;'

Listen to what God has said: 'My people, who are weak and few, without comfort and afflicted, I am preparing beautiful homes for you.'

_This paraphrase captures God's promise of future blessing to His suffering people._

> You shall name your walls Salvation, And your gates shall all be Praise.

Your walls will be called Salvation, and your gates will be named Praise.

_This poetic imagery signifies that the Church's security and entrance will be characterized by salvation and praise._

> Ye no more your suns descending, Waning moons no more shall see; But, your griefs for ever ending, Find eternal noon in me.

You will no longer see the sun setting or the moon waning; instead, your sorrows will end forever, and you will find eternal brightness in me.

_This contrasts the temporal cycles of earthly life with the eternal, unchanging light of God's presence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/65-the-future-peace-and-glory-of-the-church
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters