Isaac Watts "The Ruin of Antichrist" Trinity Bible Chapel Congregation

For more info on this hymn text (as well as resources/music): https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/isaac-watts-and-the-ruin-of-antichrist/

This is a recording of TBC's 1st and 2nd Services combined singing a little known hymn text by 17th/18th Century hymn writer Isaac Watts. Watts wrote many beloved historical hymns such as Joy to the World, I Sing the Mighty Power of God, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. His father was a contemporary of John Bunyan and was, like Bunyan, twice incarcerated for his non-conformist faith. Watts was a teenager when Bunyan died and was undoubtedly influenced by his life and ministry.

The theme of Antichrist can evoke different reactions, perhaps because of modern sensational teachings on the subject. 1 John tells us that every spirit that does not confess that Jesus is the Christ is an antichrist spirit, and that many antichrists have come. An antichrist spirit seeks to usurp the authority of God and his Christ in the lives of all people, but it especially rears its head against faithful churches.

Drawing from Isaiah 63:4-7, and perhaps with Bunyan's book "Of Antichrist and His Ruin" in mind, Isaac Watts writes of God’s ability to defeat the spirit of antichrist in any age and ends the text with a refrain of praise from the people of God to their deliverer.

Lyrics:

"I lift my banner," saith the Lord,
"Where Antichrist has stood;
The city of my gospel foes
Shall be a field of blood.”

"My heart has studied just revenge,
And now the day appears;
The day of my redeemed is come
To wipe away their tears.”

"Quite weary is my patience grown,
And bids my fury go;
Swift as the lightning it shall move,
And be as fatal too.”

"I call for helpers, but in vain;
Then has my gospel none?
Well, my own arm has might enough
To crush my foes alone.”

"Slaughter and my devouring sword
Shall walk the streets around,
Babel shall reel beneath my stroke,
And stagger to the ground."

Thy honours, O victorious King!
Thine own right hand shall raise,
While we thy awful vengeance sing,
And our deliv'rer praise.

Isaiah 63:4–7

For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
and my year of redemption had come.
I looked, but there was no one to help;
I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold;
so my own arm brought me salvation,
and my wrath upheld me.
I trampled down the peoples in my anger;
I made them drunk in my wrath,
and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD,
the praises of the LORD,
according to all that the LORD has granted us,
and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love. (ESV)