Hymns by theme
Hymns about the second coming
The church has always lived in hope that Christ will come again. Hymns of his return look forward to the day he appears in glory, when the dead are raised, wrongs are put right and God's kingdom comes in full. Some ring with trumpets and triumph; others call believers to watch and be ready.
These hymns belong especially to the first Sunday of Advent and the last Sundays of the church year, but they also bring hope to funerals and to hard times. The most widely sung are listed first. For the full season of Advent, see the Advent hymns page. All are in the public domain.
Some of these hymns were written in times of war or persecution, when the hope of Christ's return was especially urgent; their words still speak to congregations facing hard times today. Print several at once, or add them to an order of service for an Advent or All Saints' service.
Print all lyricsBuild an order of service
Most widely sung
Ranked by how many hymnals print them (Hymnary.org), with chord-charted hymns first.
- Battle Hymn of the Republic — Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
- Ye servants of the Lord — Ye servants of the Lord,
- When, Thou My Righteous Judge — When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come
- Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers — Rejoice, all ye believers,
- The Warning — And will the Judge descend,
- The End of Things Created — Great God, what do I see and hear!
- The Glorious Reign of Christ on Earth — Lo, what a glorious sight appears
- Christ's First and Second Coming — Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands,
- It May Be at Morn — It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
- The Solemn Midnight Cry — Thou Judge of quick and dead,
The full list
- Behold! the Mountain of the Lord — Behold! the mountain of the Lord
- What a Gathering That Will Be — At the sounding of the trumpet, when the saints are gather'd home,
- Christ our High Priest and King, and Christ coming to judgment — Now to the Lord, who makes us know
- Lo! He Cometh! — Lo, he cometh! countless trumpets
- See The Eternal Judge Descending — See the eternal Judge descending!
- The Second Advent — He comes! he comes! the Judge severe;
- Christ Reigning in Heaven, and Coming to Judgement — He reigns! the Lord, the Saviour reigns!
- Christ is Coming! — Christ is coming! let creation
- Thou art coming, O my Savior! — Thou art coming, O my Saviour!
- O'er the Distant Mountains Breaking — O'er the distant mountains breaking,
- The Bridegroom Cometh — Ye virgin souls, arise,
Questions about hymns about the second coming
Which Sundays suit hymns about Christ's return?
The first Sunday of Advent and the last Sundays before Advent traditionally focus on Christ's coming again, but these hymns fit any sermon on hope.
Are these hymns free to use?
Yes. They are in the public domain in the United States.