Biblical Reference for the Song “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.”
The song “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” is inspired by the Bible verse found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)
17 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.
This verse speaks of the second coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead in Christ, which is a central theme in the song.
What Does the Phrase “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” Mean?
The phrase “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” refers to a Christian belief related to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the final judgment. In this context, “the roll” typically refers to a list or record of people who will be gathered or called by God when Jesus returns.
The idea is that when the end times come and Jesus returns, there will be a figurative roll call of all the faithful believers who will be called to join Him in heaven. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, a metaphorical record of the saved, will be called to meet the Lord and will enter into eternal life. This concept is often associated with themes of salvation, redemption, and the hope of being reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.
The song “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” expresses this anticipation and hope that when the roll is called in heaven, the believer’s name will be on that list, and they shall be assembled to be in the company of the Lord. It’s a song of faith and longing for the fulfillment of these Christian beliefs.
What Does Yonder Mean?
The word “yonder” is an older or more poetic term used to refer to a place or location that is at a distance but still within sight or within a general area, though not necessarily nearby. It’s a way of indicating a place that is not right here but not necessarily very far away either.
For example, if someone points in the direction of a distant hill and says, “Look yonder,” they are directing your attention to that distant spot. In the context of the song “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” “yonder” is used to evoke the idea of the heavenly realm, a place beyond the immediate earthly realm where the roll is being called, and believers are being gathered to meet the Lord during the Second Coming. It conveys the sense of looking to the future and the distant, but hoped-for, reunion with God in heaven.
Prayer
Here’s a prayer inspired by the song “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder”:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts filled with gratitude and hope, for we know that one day, when the roll is called up yonder, we will be gathered to meet You in Your glorious presence. We long for that blessed day when we will see Your face and hear Your voice calling us home.
We thank You for the promise of the Second Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ when He will descend from heaven with a shout and the trumpet of God. We look forward to the day when the dead in Christ shall rise, and those of us who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the skies to rendezvous with the Lord in the atmosphere.
As we wait with anticipation for that moment, help us to live our lives in faith, love, and obedience. May our names be found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that we may be among those called up yonder to be with You for all eternity.
We pray for Your guidance and strength to walk in Your ways, to share Your love with others, and to be prepared for that glorious day when the roll is called. Help us to serve You faithfully and to be a light in this world until we are called to join You in the next.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
