Before the Crowds of Heaven - the story behind the song

'Before the Crowds...' was written a few years ago now but started as a response to a revelation. It's an attempt to capture the heart of a vision I had whilst sat in church. And although i'm not entirely sure of the theological accuracy of my description, and my imagination for that matter, allow me to try to describe that vision;

I saw heaven's throne room in all it's splendour, God, shining a brilliant, dazzling white in all His glory, seated on His throne being worshipped by thousands of angels, some flying around the throne, their wings fully extended as they sang, some stood like a crowd on the floor and others knelt facedown before the King. The atmosphere was intensely worshipful and the sound of the angel's song echoed throughout the heavens. Until one angel arrived at the gate. It was Gabriel, returning from a conversation with a young girl in Nazareth, Mary.

As his angelic colleagues continued their unceasing praise, Gabriel made his way through the crowds towards the throne. He reached the feet of God and knelt as if to report back from his succesful mission and as He did so, heaven fell silent.

At that moment, God the Father turned to His right to look at His Son and simply said "It's time". A loving glance between the Father and His Son implied "You know what to do".The angelic crowd, still silent looked on with a bewildered and 'what's happening?' type concern as Jesus, still in His holy and radient appearance, whiter than white, dressed like the Prince of Peace He is, stood up in full view 'Before the Crowds of Heaven', Removed His Crown and left it on His throne, and began to walk towards the gate.

As He stepped down from the throne, the crowds parted gradually to create a path for the Son to walk through. Although slient, a murmer of disbelief and confusion began to carry across those gathered. And as Jesus walked through, I saw a change. Gradually the Majesty of His glorious appearance faded to the nature of an ordinary, humble man. His face which shone like the sun 'shining in all it's brilliance' became olive skinned and darker, His hair changed from being 'as white as wool, as white as the snow' to a darkened brown and His robe and Golden Sash faded away to nakedness as the Son of God changed from Prince of Heaven to a helpless child before my own eyes;

Infinite and Powerful, Infant now and Beautiful;Almighty God becomes so meek and Mild.
That is where the Vision for me ended. But it's only half the song. I wanted to capture the whole story. To tell of His mission on earth, and of His glorious return to the throne He had left to redeem us.The chorus simply echoes the Word of Jesus Himself, that "Greater love has no man... than to lay down His life for His friends" and ends with my response:

I promise You [Jesus] that I'll never forget the sacrifice of God that paid my debt.

(hear the song at www.myspace.com/jimmyorr)