Oh Warrior of the Heavens Come

Revelation 9:11-16

John Martin, “The Great Day of His Wrath,” oil on canvas, 197cm x 303cm, Tate Britain, London

oh warrior of the heavens come 
in fury draw your righteous blade
may angels beat their battle drums 
as wicked run to rocks afraid 

the prince of heaven ready stands 
his wrath no strength might hope evade  
he waits above the darkened lands  
to rend the very skies he made 

command the armies at your side 
to tear the earth with fire and sword
destroy it all but save your bride 
and ready her for her reward 

your warhorse shakes and smells the blood
that stains your robe and drips to earth 
she rears and snarls and stomps the mud
hearkening earth's childbirth  

the care-free birds that fly above 
are hungry for the flesh of kings
the feast of flesh—a sign of love—
for those you hide under your wings 

we long oh warrior for the day 
when justice rides unyielding wind 
fulfilling what the oppressed pray
that wickedness would find it's end

when full the count of chosen souls 
whose lives for you they freely gave
now buried deep in holy holes 
you'll come and raise them from the grave 

the reckoning is hell for most 
yet even thus your people pray 
so make your bloody sword our boast 
maranatha, oh God, today.  



               — joey shaw