Song Meanings: End of End

You can listen to and purchase this song at http://undertheroseband.com/track/end-of-end. 

Puritan Metal (Puri-Core?)

This song was my attempt at writing Anne-Bradstreet-style poetry about the end of the world. In fact, I originally intended to include some direct quotes from Bradstreet’s poem “Spirit.” I love the way she eloquently expressed her thoughts about living with her Creator.

Awesome in Wrath

“End of End” is a retelling of several passages from Revelation, including chapters 1 and 20–21. When read as a dry, Sunday School story, Revelation 20 loses its full impact. But when I imagined what it might actually be like to witness the events described, I was overwhelmed. The earth and sky will flee from the awesome presence of God. The dead will be lifted from the earth and the oceans and asked to answer whether or not they sought God during their lives. What would that look like? If you saw it, how would you react? Would you fall on your face as though dead, like the Apostle John?

I would without a doubt be filled with terror as God tore apart His creation in preparing for its restoration. Have you ever considered the sheer scale of the universe? Have you considered that it takes nine full minutes for the light from the sun to reach the earth, even at a speed 186,000 miles per second? Have you considered how vast the sun is to power our entire existence? The sun is a medium-sized star, and there are countless trillions of stars in the universe.

Now consider that God will in an instant rend His creation apart and fashion NEW heavenly bodies. What sheer force! What control! What sovereignty!

Awesome in Grace

But while witnessing the end of all temporal things, I hope I would also remember that God plans to eliminate death, pain, and suffering: God “will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Rev. 21:3–5).

Like many songs on this album, “End of End” represents the juxtaposition of life and death, judgment and mercy. It is the thunder of war and the beauty of eternal peace. It is a cry for mercy and a bold declaration of victory. For me, it is both difficult and hopeful to process. If nothing else, this song is a pale attempt at explaining the grandeur of the God who saved me.

--Aaron