The book of Revelation tells us that The One who bore the crown of thorns while on the cross is now crowned with “many crowns” and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven.

 The words to this great hymn are the work of two important Anglican ministers, Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring. Bridges wrote the first 6 verses and thought of it as a sermon in song based on Revelation 19:12. Later Godfrey Thring added 6 additional verses. Both men wanted to write a hymn that showed that Christ’s sufferings were not wasted.  He conquered death and now reigns as the King of Kings in Heaven.  John 1:29 and I Peter 1:18-21 are two verses that talk about Jesus as the Lamb of God.  In Acts 2 and Hebrews 8 the Bible says that the Lamb of God is now upon His throne. Because Jesus Christ--the Lamb of God--conquered death and lives in heaven, those who accept him as Lord can also have eternal life in Heaven. The song encourages believer’s souls to “Awake …. and sing of Him who died for me.”  The words tell us to “hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.”  Revelation 5:6-7 and Rev 11 and 12 teach us that because Jesus Christ is the victorious Lamb upon the throne, He is worthy of all our praise.