(The scene is gradually transformed to a hillside, which the Apostles climb. The Chorus sings from offstage.)
APOSTLES On our right and left hand, |
CHORUS MEN Ooo . . . |
THADDEUS: And he led [us] out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed [us].91 SIMON ZELOTES |
APOSTLES and CHORUS Feed Thy lambs, |
(On the hill, the Apostles look up. From the colonnade, two Angels speak. The Chorus continues to sing under the dialogue.)
ANGEL 1: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?94
ANGEL 2: This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.95
(The chorus fills the stage as the Apostles address them.)
[Music cue: Segue into “Come, Lord Jesus—End of Act Two” , ]
PHILIP: [Now] there was in the days of Herod..., a certain priest named Zacharias.96
ANDREW: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.97
MATTHEW: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field.98
NATHANAEL: Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden.99
JAMES ALPHEUS:[And we] took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre.100
THOMAS: And... Jesus... stood in the midst of [us], and saith unto [us], “Peace be unto you.”101
PETER: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty...102
JAMES: For the Son of man [shall come] in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.103
JOHN: And I John saw these things and heard them... [He is] the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. He which testifieth of these things saith, Surely I come quickly. . . . Even so, come, Lord Jesus.104
ALL
Come, Lord Jesus, Great Redeemer,
Light of morning from the east.
We will be Thy children ever,
Dry our tears, all weeping cease.
Come in glory to the earth,
Come to us to rule and reign.
Ready us to kneel and greet Thee.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Jesus, once of humble birth,
Now in glory comes to earth.
Once He suffered grief and pain;
Now He comes on earth to reign.
Now He comes on earth to reign.105
(All assemble beneath a column of light, gazing upward into heaven, some reaching up toward the light.)
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
+ Because these two pieces are performed without a break, the audio file contains both of them.
NOTES
91. See Luke 24:50.
92. See Luke 24:51.
93. See Acts 1:9.
94. Acts 1:11.
95. Acts 1:11.
96. See Luke 1:5.
97. Luke 2:7.
98. Luke 2:8.
99. John 19:41.
100. See Mark 15:46.
101. See Luke 24:36.
102. 2 Peter 1:16.
103. See Matthew 24:30–31.
104. See Revelation 22:8, 16–17, 20.
105. Hymns, no. 196.
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