Today... 'Greater than Jonah
Jonah with Jesus could not remotely compare
for none like my Lord Jesus can be found anywhere.
Jonah in his disobedience ran away,
But Jesus in obedience determined to stay.
Into the depths of the sea Jonah was then sent
but into the depths of hell my Saviour went.
For three days under the sea Jonah had to stay
but Jesus in triumph tore the bars of death away.
Jonah cried out to God and from drowning was spared
But my Lord was forsaken and not a soul cared.
Jonah's message to Nineveh was restricted
but my Lords work saved the world as was predicted.
Jesus my Lord and God is far beyond compare
and His glory with another He will not share.
That is why the people on earth heard Him declare
That One much greater than Jonah was standing there.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Related quotes
Jonah 180 Degrees Of Misdirection
Jonah an Old Testament prophet
from Galilee his fab story takes place
between years 780 B.C to 760 B.C.
Assyria was a powerful evil nation
Israel’s most dreaded enemy foreign.
The Lord spoke unto Jonah told him
go to Nineveh capital of Assyria
preach to warn sinful Ninevites.
Jonah 1: 2.
Jonah by God’s word commanded
told to warn the Ninevites to repent
or suffer judgement for wickedness.
But Jonah disobeys the will of God
Jonah plots swiftly high tales it out
180 degrees in opposite direction
Jonah boy child brought back to life
resurrected by Elijah the prophet
1 Kings 17: 17-24.
Jonah son of Amittai the son of truth
2 Kings 14: 25.
Jonah departed not to Nineveh but
to Tarshish with motives of what?
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part III)
Chapter 3:
The word of God to Jonah came,
A second time and said,
‘Set out to Nineveh, announce
The message, I give you! ’
So, Jonah went to Nineveh,
As per the Lord’s command;
It was a very large city;
It took him three full days!
And Jonah walked throughout the place,
And told what God bade him,
‘In forty days more, Nineveh
Shall be a destroyed town! ’
When people heard Jonah’s message,
Their faith in God improved;
Both great and small, they wore sack-cloth,
And fasted much and prayed!
The king too sat in ashes, dressed
In sack-cloth and much prayed;
He decreed that none should eat, drink-
No man or any beast!
They called to God in loud a voice,
And vowed to give up sin;
They hoped that God would forgive them,
And let them not perish.
The Lord was pleased by what they did;
He saw their change of heart;
His wrath was put under the lid,
As Jonah did his part!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part I)
Chapter I:
To Jonah, came the word of God,
The son of Amittai,
“Go to city of Nineveh
And warn them that their wickedness
Has come before the Lord! ”
But Jonah tried to flee from God
And boarded fast a ship;
He paid the fare to reach Tarshish,
To escape from the Lord!
God raised a tempest on the sea
That tried to break the ship;
The mariners got frightened much,
‘Each one cried to his God! ’
They threw the cargo in the sea,
While Jonah lay asleep;
The captain rudely told Jonah,
‘Pray God, we mustn’t perish! ’
They cast lots to detect the one,
Who brought them misfortune;
Poor Jonah turned to be culprit!
They questioned his business.
Then Jonah told them, ’I’m Hebrew,
My God’s the Creator!
He is the God of Heaven, earth,
And made the land and sea.’
When Jonah told he fled the Lord,
The men were seized with fear;
The sea was turning turbulent;
At stake were their lives dear.
So, Jonah told them, ‘Pick me up;
Throw me into the sea;
The storm was on account of me;
Perhaps, it could calm be.
The men rowed hard but saw no land;
The sea grew furious;
They prayed to God to forgive them,
And hurled Jonah in sea!
To their surprise, the sea turned calm;
May be, they did right thing;
They offered sacrifice to God
For, they were struck by fear!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Jonah’s Motives Were Destruction Of Nineveh
To Tarshish with motives of what?
Were Jonah’s motives fear revenge?
Assyrians had committed terrible
atrocities against the people of Israel
traveling into their midst was terrifying?
Jonah despised hated the Assyrians
desired in his heart for God to punish
Assyria? Jonah knew God’s nature.
Jonah knew if repentance he preached
to the Ninevites they would repent?
God would spare them punishment.
Jonah 4: 2.
Jonah disobeyed fled toward Tarshish.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Assyrian City Nineveh Repents
Jonah disobeyed fled toward Tarshish
because knowing God to be gracious
merciful, slow to anger, and abundant
in loving-kindness, regretting calamity.
Jonah knew God would forgive regret
his decision to destroy Nineveh a city
of more than 120,000 men domestic
animals living in spiritual darkness;
not knowing the difference between
their right hand and their left; between
good and evil. Jonah by God was forced
to voice God’s forty day warning and thus
Jonah 3: 1-4.
the king of Nineveh ordered a great fast.
All wore from greatest to the least
sackcloth, none ate nor drank not,
man nor domestic animal; all the men
called to God with strength repented
of bad ways violence of their hands.
God turned back from his burning anger
felt regret spared Nineveh did not perish.
Jonah 3: 5-10.
What moral by Jonah’s story is taught?
Jonah’s story teaches obedience necessary,
without question, to obey the will of God;
taught a willingness of spirit, gratitude,
compassion God’s grace patience mercy.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Today... 'Greater than Solomon
Solomon with Christ the Lord could never compare
For none like my Lord Jesus can be found anywhere
Solomon's great wisdom and glory was renowned
But in Christ God's Wisdom and Glory can be found
The treasures of Solomon just faded away
But the vast riches of Jesus will always stay
Though wise and rich king Solomon turned out to be
Jesus Christ is so much more powerful than he.
Jesus my Lord and God is far beyond compare
And His glory with another He will not share
That is why the people on earth heard Him declare
That One greater than Solomon was standing there
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Jonah Forced By God Warms Assyrian Nineveh
Jonah an Old Testament prophet
from Galilee his story takes place
between years 780 B.C to 760 B.C.
Assyria was a powerful evil nation
Israel's most dreaded enemy foreign.
The Lord spoke unto Jonah told him
to go to Nineveh capital of Assyria
to preach to warn sinful Ninevites. Jonah 1: 2.
Jonah by God's word commanded
told to warn the Ninevites to repent
or suffer judgement for wickedness.
But Jonah disobeys the will of God
Jonah plots swiftly high tales it out
180 degrees in opposite direction
Jonah boy child brought back to life
resurrected by Elijah the prophet 1 Kings 17: 17-24.
Jonah son of Amittai the son of truth 2 Kings 14: 25.
Jonah departed not to Nineveh but
to Tarshish with motives of what?
Were Jonah's motives fear revenge?
Assyrians had committed terrible
atrocities against the people of Israel
traveling into their midst was terrifying?
Jonah despised hated the Assyrians
desired in his heart for God to punish
Assyria? Jonah knew God's nature.
Jonah knew if repentance he preached
to the Ninevites they would repent?
God would spare them punishment. Jonah 4: 2.
Jonah disobeyed fled toward Tarshish
because he knew God to be gracious
merciful, slow to anger, and abundant
in loving-kindness, regretting calamity.
Jonah knew God would forgive regret
his decision to destroy Nineveh a city
of more than 120,000 men domestic
animals living in spiritual darkness;
not knowing the difference between
their right hand and their left between
good and evil. Jonah by God was forced
to voice God's forty day warning and thus Jonah 3: 1-4.
the king of Nineveh ordered a great fast.
All wore from greatest to the least
sackcloth, none ate nor drank not,
man nor domestic animal; all the men
called to God with strength repented
of bad ways violence of their hands.
God turned back from his burning anger
felt regret spared Nineveh did not perish. Jonah 3: 5-10.
What moral by Jonah's story is taught?
Jonah's story teaches obedience necessary,
without question, to obey the will of God;
taught a willingness of spirit, gratitude,
compassion God's grace patience mercy.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Today... 'Greater than Jacob
Jacob with the Lord could not remotely compare
and none like my Lord Jesus can be found anywhere.
For the water that flows from our Emmanuel
is far better than the water from Jacobs well.
'Come and drink of me, ' Jesus said so clear and plain
'And you'll never ever experience thirst again.'
For it is Living Water that in Jesus dwells
which you cannot get from any of Jacobs wells.
This sinner came to drink from that life giving well
drank the Living Water from Emmanuel
and as he drank in deep from the sin cleansing flow
forgiveness and everlasting life he began know.
Jesus my Lord and God is far beyond compare
and His glory with another He will not share.
That is why the people on earth heard Him declare
that One much greater than Jacob was standing there.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Do They Know It's Christmas
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
(Jonah doing Boy George)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
(Jonah doing George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
(Chino doing Simon LeBon)
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
(Jonah doing George Michael joins in)
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
(Jonah doing Bono joins in)
The bitter sting of tears
(Jonah doing Bono)
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
(Jonah) And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Chino) Oh-oh
(Jonah) Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
(Grady)Here's to you
(Jonah)raise a glass for everyone
(Grady)Here's to them
(Jonah)underneath that burning sun
(Everyone)Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Chorus (Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
song performed by by Deftones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part II)
Chapter 2:
The Lord then sent a mighty fish
That swallowed Jonah whole;
And in its belly dark, he stayed,
For three days and three nights.
And from the belly of the fish,
Jonah prayed to the Lord:
‘In distress great, I call You God:
I cry to You for help! ’
Into the heart of sea, You cast
Me forth and flood covered;
I thought I was forever lost;
Would I see your temple?
The swirling sea threatened my life;
Sea-weeds clung to my head;
I plunged into the sea-abyss;
You brought me from the pit!
A giant fish then gulped me whole,
My soul fainted in me;
I prayed to You for mercy, Lord,
You heard my plaintive voice.
I praised You, Lord with all my heart
And vowed to sacrifice;
Deliver me from fish, O God:
Jonah was spat ashore!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part IV)
Chapter 4:
What God had done, displeased Jonah;
In angry mood, he prayed,
‘I knew You’ll show clemency, Lord,
That’s why at first, I fled! ’
‘You’re a gracious, merciful God,
You’re slow to punish men;
And this is what I had said then;
You’re slow to anger, Lord! ’
‘Lord, take away my life from me,
’Tis better, I be dead! ’
God asked him, ‘Is your anger just? ’
Jonah had not replied.
He left the city to its east,
And built him small a hut;
And in its shade, waited to see,
What happened to men, beast!
God made a gourd plant grow over,
To give him more of shade;
Jonah was happy with cover,
His discomfort did fade!
Next day, God sent a worm to kill
The plant which withered fast;
The scorching sun then made him ill,
To faint, he turned almost.
The sun made Jonah angry more,
‘Better I die, ’ he said;
When God asked him, he thus replied,
‘The plant’s death made me sore! ’
And then the Lord explained Jonah,
‘You feel for gourd, not own.
You neither sowed the seed, nor raised,
The plant that lived one night! ’
‘Concerned are you, about a plant
For which you labored not;
And when it perished over-night,
You’re angry enough to die! ’
‘Oh, should I not show concern for
Great Nineveh city?
One twenty thousand men live there,
And beasts- what a pity? ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-25-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part V)
God chooses persons for missions,
Divine in nature, quite strangely;
The prophet Jonah tried to shirk
Away from warning Nineveh.
God taught Jonah, a lesson great;
A mammoth fish swallowed him whole;
When Jonah asked pardon from God,
His life was spared miraculously.
None dare to disobey the Lord;
God guides us do a perfect job;
We ought to live as per His Word;
No righteous souls can devils rob!
As king to subjects, repented,
God spared the city from His rod;
God’s kindness made Jonah bitter;
The ways of God are just and fair!
Our human minds can’t understand
The love of God and His mercy;
God holds His wrath if sinners change
Their hearts from sins to righteous ways!
God’s redemption’s for Jews, Gentiles;
His infinite mercy’s for all;
If Maker wants, He spares the rod;
To man, His acts look rather odd!
God is ready to forgive all
Of mankind’s sins, grievous or small;
His heart of mercy burns with love
To seek more souls for Heav’n above!
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Sign of Jonah
In the tomb for three days, but, He’d rise to the Father’s praise,
For three days and three nights, in that dark tomb, out of sight,
The Son of God, sent to save, now lay dead down in the grave,
For indeed, Christ was dead, the hope of many turned to dread.
It was Jonah Christ pointed to, regarding all that God would do,
In the belly of a fish for a time, three days and nights for a sign,
After taken off that wicked tree, in the earth’s belly He would be,
Christ’s body in a tomb would lay, but, as He said, it didn’t stay.
Disciples scattered by the cross, now discouraged and felt lost,
It was truly a dark time for those, before The Lord had truly rose,
From the cross to that tomb, His followers now filled with doom,
What occurred caused much grief, filling all hearts with disbelief.
Their disbelief would take a turn, as all failing hearts would learn,
That Christ did just what He said, and Jesus was no longer dead,
Alive and here just like before, was Jesus Christ, The Risen Lord,
Back again, their Lord and friend, for that grave was not His end.
Just as the fish spit Jonah out; The Lord would have a turnabout,
Now risen by His own decree, was Christ, the Savior of humanity,
Now restored to God’s right hand, Lord and Savior of every land,
God’s Proven Hope to all nations, of His One and Only Salvation.
(Copyright ©04/2009)
Today... 'Greater than Abraham
Abraham with the Lord could not compare
For none like Jesus can be found anywhere.
Just trusting in Abraham would not do
we all need to trust and believe in You.
'Before Abraham was, ' You said 'I AM.'
For You were there before the world began.
You were present at creations first dawn
and saw the day when Abraham was born.
Saw him leaving Ur of the Chaldeans.
Watched over him walking through foreign scenes.
At Sodom and Gomorrah You were there
ensuring Lot their judgment did not share.
'You are demon possessed' to You they said
and picked up stones for they wanted You dead.
Not trusting Christ but Abraham instead
would bring greater judgment upon their head.
Lord Jesus you are far beyond compare.
Your glory with another You won't share.
That is why the people heard You declare
That one greater than Abraham was there.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
We Are Jonah
And the round old fox, stepped up to make his speech
His ship was on the rocks, and rescue out of reach
Spotlit he stood, said what he thought he should
Half the crowd did laugh, though there was no joke
And soon the other half were swallowed up in smoke
A robin on the wing, could be heard to sing, the strangest thing
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Then the plane did land, for some it did not crash
From it emerged a man, in trainers and moustache
Down he laid his load, upon the heated road
Then the road did part, and the tar did melt
He loosened up his heart, he tightened up his belt
Like a piece of string, then he began to sing, like a pearly king
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Then the scene did shift, to a sun kissed sea
There was montgomery clift, jonah, the whale and me
As the sun it set, montgomery placed his bet
Then the whale did yawn, and fell asleep in four
From dusk till dawn, you shoul have heard him snore
From tierra-del-fuego, to the alaskan snows... there she blows!
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
My dear old grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Grandma
We are jonah, rolling along in the teeth of a whale
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Are Jonah
And the round old fox, stepped up to make his speech
His ship was on the rocks, and rescue out of reach
Spotlit he stood, said what he thought he should
Half the crowd did laugh, though there was no joke
And soon the other half were swallowed up in smoke
A robin on the wing, could be heard to sing, the strangest thing
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Then the plane did land, for some it did not crash
From it emerged a man, in trainers and moustache
Down he laid his load, upon the heated road
Then the road did part, and the tar did melt
He loosened up his heart, he tightened up his belt
Like a piece of string, then he began to sing, like a pearly king
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Then the scene did shift, to a sun kissed sea
There was montgomery clift, jonah, the whale and me
As the sun it set, montgomery placed his bet
Then the whale did yawn, and fell asleep in four
From dusk till dawn, you shoul have heard him snore
From tierra-del-fuego, to the alaskan snows... there she blows!
Grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
My dear old grandma, we are jonah
Rolling along in the teeth of a whale
Grandma
We are jonah, rolling along in the teeth of a whale
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jonah
Jonah was God’s special prophet;
One stormy day a whale he met.
He had run far, far, far away,
From where he was to be that day.
He had went on a old tough ship
That was now by big waves whipped
But he was tired as the storm broke
And went and snuggled in his cloak
So down in the old ship he slept
While the others on the ship wept
Captain came down him to awake
Call on your god for your own sake
They would cast lots to see just why
The gods wanted them all to die
Up on the deck they cast the lot
Who’s fault was it for what they got?
Then on Jonah the lot did fall
And then and there he told them all
He told them why all was not well
He cried Throw me in the sea swell
So up and out they threw him in
And all at once the storm did dim
But in the sea Jonah did swim
And a fish came swallowing him
In a big fish three days and nights
So dark, slimy, and with no light
So deep down in there he did pray
That God would pardon his wrong way
That fish spat him on the dry land
Onto the soft, hot desert sand
To Nineveh he quickly went
To now do just as God had sent
poem by Joses Tirtabudi
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Signs Pointing To The Christ
As the snake was lifted on the pole, Christ was lifted up to behold.
Bitten by snakes and destined to die they were told to look on high.
As those who looked were healed, at the cross Salvation was revealed.
We too were destined for the dust, but Christ my friend, died for us.
It pleased The Lord God to offer Christ to the world as a sacrifice.
The Spotless Lamb upon the cross saving men who are eternally lost.
Although He died bearing our sin by God's Power He was raised again.
He couldn't be held in the grave and was raised so we could be saved.
Jonah followed his heart of sin so God prepared a great fish for him.
There was Jonah filled with fright in the belly 3 days and 3 nights.
Jonah was to be a sign for the coming Christ who had been prophesied.
So Jesus gave up all His rights to be in the earth 3 days and nights.
And Christ visited prisons deep within claiming His victory over sin.
Then God raised His body for all to see, affirming Christ's Victory.
And all believers are buried with Christ to be raised unto new life.
One day soon our mortal body will be gloriously raised for Eternity.
He who had no sin died in our place, for this was God's Saving Grace.
He rose again in the morning hour, and this was God's Saving Power.
He rose in victory over sin so that all could have new life in Him.
He's coming back one more time, to bring Home His blood bought Bride.
Jonah
A purple whale
Proudly sweeps his tail
Towards Nineveh;
Glassy green
Surges between
A mile of roaring sea.
“O town of gold,
Of splendour multifold,
Lucre and lust,
Leviathan’s eye
Can surely spy
Thy doom of death and dust.”
On curving sands
Vengeful Jonah stands.
“Yet forty days,
Then down, down,
Tumbles the town
In flaming ruin ablaze.”
With swift lament
Those Ninevites repent.
They cry in tears,
“Our hearts fail!”
The whale, the whale!
Our sins prick us like spears.”
Jonah is vexed;
He cries, “What next? what next?”
And shakes his fist.
“Stupid city,
The shame, the pity,
The glorious crash I’ve missed.”
Away goes Jonah grumbling,
Murmuring and mumbling;
Off ploughs the purple whale,
With disappointed tail.
poem by Robert Graves
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 16)
The Pharisees and Sadducees
To Jesus came, to test and asked,
‘Do show us a heavenly sign.’
He replied, ‘If evening sky’s red,
Tomorrow will be fair, you say.
If morning sky be red, today
Will be rather a stormy day.’
You know to judge the sky’s patterns,
Yet, cannot judge the signs of times.’
For a generation evil,
And unfaithful one, no sign will
Be given, except Jonah’s sign.
Then, He left them and went away..
On the other side of the sea,
They found that they had not brought bread.
And Jesus said, ‘Look out, beware
Of the leaven of Pharisees.’
His disciples thought, Jesus said
Because they had no bread with them.
Then Jesus said, ‘you faithless ones,
Why did you draw such conclusion? ’
‘Didn’t you remember the five loaves
That fed five thousand and more ones?
Didn’t you remember the seven,
That fed four thousand and more ones?
How many loaves remained also!
How is that you don’t comprehend?
The leaven of the bread had meant
The teachings of the Pharisees! ’
In Caesarea Philippi,
He asked, ‘what do people say I’m? ’
They said, ‘Some say, John, the Baptist,
Others, Jeremiah, prophets! ’
He then asked, ‘What do you say I’m? ’
Then Peter said, ‘You’re Messiah,
Son of the Living God, that’s One.’
And Jesus then said, ‘Blessed are you
O Simon Peter, Jonah’s son.
For, flesh and blood didn’t reveal this,
But my heavenly Father just.’
And so I say to you Peter,
‘Upon this rock, I’ll build my church..
The nether gates shall not prevail.
I’ll give the Kingdom’s keys to you.
Whatev’r you bind on earth shall be
Bound also in heaven likewise;
What you loosen on earth shall be
Loosened in heaven, similarly! ’
He ordered them not to reveal
That He was truly Messiah! ’
Then Jesus told his disciples
He must go to Jerusalem,
And suffer greatly from elders,
Chief priests and scribes, and be killed then,
And to become raised on third day!
Then Peter taking him aside
Said, ‘God forbid Lord, let nothing
Like that ever happen to you! ’
But Jesus said to Peter then,
‘Just get behind me, Satan, you,
You’re an obstacle to me too!
You are not thinking as God does.
You think as human beings do.’
Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever wants
To follow me must deny things
Take up his cross and come after.
For, he who saves his life shall lose,
Who loses life for my sake, lives! ’
‘What profits one to gain the world
But just forfeit his life on earth?
What can one’s life be exchanged for? ’
‘Amen I say, some of you here,
Will not taste death, until you see
The Son of Man come in glory,
By angels flanked one day, surely! ’
(6-3-2007)
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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