What does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean?
Question:
In the song, "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross", what does "Till my raptured soul shall find" mean?
Answer:
"In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river."
"Rapture" is an older English word for "a feeling of intense pleasure or joy." Therefore, the song is saying that we will find glory and joy in the death of Christ, and our sharing of his suffering, throughout life until the day we reach our heavenly home.
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (I Corinthians 11:26).
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).
"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).
"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2).
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" (I Peter 4:12-13).