# The Great Tribunal explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

A vision of the final judgment, where the dead and living stand before the Judge. The speaker reflects on the terror of facing God's wrath, the exposure of every secret work, and the misuse of talents and mercies. Yet, hope is found in the book of life, pleading Christ's death as the ground of salvation, leading to boldness at the last day.

## Themes in this chapter

### Judgment and Retribution

The chapter vividly portrays the terror of the final judgment, where every work and secret thing is exposed, and the fate of the wicked is sealed.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

Despite the sinner's guilt, the book of life offers hope, and the plea of Christ's death secures salvation, highlighting God's mercy.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

The Judge who will hasten down in the vision; the one whose death is pleaded for salvation.

### The Narrator

The speaker, John in vision, who contemplates his own fate at the judgment.

### God

The Almighty whose pen writes the books of judgment.

### The Saints

The faithful few who are owned and saved at the right hand of the Judge.

## Key lines

> I John in vision saw the day When the Judge will hasten down; Heaven and earth shall flee away From the terror of his frown.

In a vision, I, John, saw the day when the Judge will come quickly; the heavens and earth will flee from the terror of his angry face.

_The opening lines set the scene of the final judgment, emphasizing the overwhelming fear of God's presence._

> If he to remembrance bring, And expose to public view, Every work and secret thing, Ah, my soul, what canst thou do?

If he brings to mind and publicly reveals every deed and hidden thing, what can my soul do?

_The speaker acknowledges the impossibility of hiding any sin from the all-seeing Judge._

> But the book of life I see; May my name be written there: Then from guilt and danger free, Glad I'll meet him in the air.

But I see the book of life; may my name be written in it. Then, free from guilt and danger, I will joyfully meet him in the air.

_The hope of salvation is found in having one's name in the book of life, leading to joyful expectation._

> Lord, I am a wretch indeed— I have sinn'd, but thou hast died.

Lord, I am truly a miserable sinner—I have sinned, but you have died for me.

_This line expresses the core of the gospel: acknowledging sin while trusting in Christ's atoning death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/79-the-great-tribunal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters