7 Worship Songs About The Second Coming (Maranatha)

The early church had a greeting that summarized their hope: “Maranatha,” which means “Come, Lord!” For centuries, the church has lived with one eye on the present mission and one eye on the eastern sky, waiting for the return of the King. As Titus 2:13 says, we wait for “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

However, many modern worship setlists focus almost exclusively on the “here and now.” Songs about the Second Coming reorient our hearts. They remind us that suffering has an expiration date, that justice is coming, and that we will see Jesus face to face. These songs fuel our endurance.

Why These Songs Matter

We selected these songs because:

  • They are expectant. They capture the longing of the Bride for the Bridegroom.
  • They are victorious. They don’t focus on escapism, but on the ultimate triumph of Christ over death and evil.
  • They provide perspective. Singing about the end of the story helps us navigate the difficult chapters we are living in right now.

7 Songs To Declare “Come, Lord Jesus”

  1. Come Jesus Come – This song has resonated powerfully because it voices the exhaustion of the world and the simple prayer for Christ’s return. It is a raw, honest cry that says, “We are ready for You to make things right.”
  2. Glorious Day – While often sung for salvation, the final verse is purely eschatological: “One day the trumpet will sound for His coming.” It brings a high-energy excitement to the promise of the resurrection.
  3. Hymn Of Heaven – “There will be a day when all will bow before Him.” This anthem paints a vivid picture of the moment we join the resurrection. It is a theological masterpiece about the beatific vision.
  4. The Lion And The Lamb – The imagery of this song is drawn from Revelation. It describes the God who comes not just to save, but to rule. “Open up the gates, make way before the King of Kings” is a declaration of His imminent arrival.
  5. All Hail King Jesus – “One day every knee will bow.” This song celebrates the Lordship of Jesus that will one day be recognized by the entire cosmos. It is a majestic, royal anthem fit for the returning King.
  6. Christ Our Hope In Life And Death – “Unto the grave, what will we sing?” This modern hymn anchors our hope not in avoiding death, but in the resurrection that follows. It reminds us that our story doesn’t end in the ground.
  7. 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) – The final verse of this beloved song looks forward to the day when “my strength is failing.” It frames death and the return of Christ as the moment our praise becomes “unending.”

Example Setlists For The Second Coming

Setlist 1 (The Blessed Hope)

  1. Glorious Day – Celebrates the joy of the coming resurrection.
  2. Come Jesus Come – Slows down to voice a prayer of longing.
  3. Hymn Of Heaven – Ends with a vision of the eternal city.

Setlist 2 (The Conquering King)

  1. The Lion And The Lamb – Declares the authority of the returning Lord.
  2. All Hail King Jesus – A coronation anthem for the King.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Sing them during Advent. Advent is the season of waiting for the *second* coming just as much as the first. Come Jesus Come is a perfect modern Advent hymn.
  • Use them at funerals. Songs like Hymn Of Heaven bring immense comfort to grieving families by reminding them that the separation is temporary.
  • Teach the theology. Before singing The Lion And The Lamb, remind the church that we are not waiting for a defeat, but for a victory.

Next Steps

Does your church live with an eternal perspective? This Sunday, try ending your service with Come Jesus Come. Leave your people with a prayer on their lips that looks beyond the coming week to the coming King.

By Jonah Stevens, WorshipChords Editorial Staff

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