Gone

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:1-7).

I first heard the song Gone in the mid-1970s.  It was a popular Southern Gospel song at the time often played on Christian radio.  This song should be played all during the year, not just at the Easter season.  The song is full of the good news. While we are cleansed by the blood of Christ, His resurrection was absolutely necessary for the God’s redemptive plan to be complete and to conquer death for us. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain (1 Cor 15:14). And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (1 Cor 15:17-19). Because of Christ resurrection, Christians have the assurance of resurrection, and without this life’s corruption. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power (1 Cor 15:42-43). So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15-54:57). Because of Christ’s resurrection we look forward to the blessed hope of Christ’s return. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thes 4:14-17).

Friend, do you know Jesus as your personal savior?  If not, you can.  Simply call on Him, repent of your sin and ask him to save you.  Read Romans 10.

The lyrics and music of Gone were written by Eldridge Fox in 1972.  The song was copyright by Bridge Building, a division of Zomba Enterprises (BMI). Several groups have recorded the song since the 1970s but I like the version by Teddy Huffman and the Gems the best.

Mary came into the tomb of Jesus.
The stone was moved and he had gone away.
The angel said fear not I know whom seek ye.
For He has risen, this I heard Him say.

First chorus: Gone the stone is rolled back.
Gone the tomb is empty.
Gone to sit at the Father’s side.
Gone over death triumphant.
Gone sin is defeated.
Gone and He lives forever more.

My friend if you don’t know my risen savior.
I beg of you don’t wait till it’s too late.
Don’t wait until the bride has been completed
.
Don’t wait until you here him say it’s too late.

Second chorus: Gone the church is empty.
Gone the bride is raptured.
Gone to sit at Jesus’ side.
Gone over death triumphant.
Gone sin is defeated.
Gone and he lives forever more.

Sources: King James Version of the Bible, MusicNotes