The song “Revelation” by John Rich paints a vivid picture of the biblical apocalypse, drawing heavily on imagery from the Book of Revelation. The lyrics speak of a world ripe for judgment, where evil deeds are rampant and divine retribution is imminent. This is explored through potent metaphors and direct references to scripture, creating a powerful message about accountability and the return of Christ.
The opening lines, “Dancing in the flames / The people cursed his name / Bowed at the altar / Of the Father of Lies,” immediately set a scene of spiritual darkness and rebellion against God. This imagery suggests a society that has embraced falsehood and turned away from truth, engaging in actions that are self-destructive (“dancing in the flames”). The phrase “Father of Lies” is a clear biblical reference to Satan, indicating the source of this corruption.
The lyrics continue with a promise of justice: “There’s a number to their days / And all their evil ways / The Lord’s gonna turn away / From all their cries.” This reinforces the theme of impending judgment. The idea that “there’s a number to their days” implies a limit to the reign of evil and a divine plan that will ultimately prevail. The chorus then explodes with anticipation: “Oh, revelation / I can feel it coming / Like a dark train running / Oh, get ready / ‘Cause the King is coming.” The “dark train running” is a powerful metaphor for the unstoppable force of divine judgment, rapidly approaching. The repetition of “The King is coming” serves as a stark warning and a call to prepare for this momentous event.
Further verses amplify the imagery of judgment: “Brimstone upon their heads / Millstones around their necks / They’ll feel the shaking / When the trumpet sounds.” These are allusions to biblical punishments and signs of the end times. “Brimstone” is associated with divine wrath, and “millstones around their necks” evokes the idea of being weighed down by sin and facing destruction. The “trumpet sounds” is a direct reference to the Book of Revelation and the signaling of significant events in the apocalypse. The lyrics emphasize the inescapability of this judgment: “No matter where they hide / There’ll be nowhere to run / When Jesus puts His mighty foot on the ground.”
The song intensifies as it describes the actual moment of judgment: “When judgement comes like a lightning flash / Their voice will wail and their teeth will gnash.” This portrays a sudden and overwhelming event causing anguish and despair among the wicked. “He’ll set fire to the evil ones and / All the wickedness they’ve done” illustrates the finality of divine justice. The lyrics conclude with cosmic upheaval: “There’ll be no time to turn around / As the stars begin to hit the ground / And the mountains fall, and the veil is torn / With the sounding of that seventh horn.” These are dramatic images of cosmic collapse and the removal of the barrier between the earthly and divine realms, signified by “the veil is torn” and “seventh horn” from Revelation.
The song ends by grounding its message in biblical prophecy: “So wrote the prophet John / Before his days were done / The King is coming / And it won’t be long.” This explicitly connects the lyrics to the Book of Revelation, attributed to the Apostle John. It reinforces the song’s core message of the imminent return of Christ and the importance of spiritual readiness. “John Rich Revelation Lyrics” ultimately delivers a potent musical interpretation of apocalyptic themes, urging listeners to consider the message of judgment and redemption.
