In Defense of "I'll Fly Away"

[12strings]

(I’ll Fly away, by Albert E Brumley)

1. THE BIBLICAL DEFENSE:

Some bright morning when this life is over, I'll fly away

Revelation 22:5 - And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

1 Cor. 5:2 - For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

To that home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away

Revelation 22:2 - through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life1 with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Hebrews 13:14 - For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.


I'll fly away oh glory, I'll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away

Hebrews 8:5 - They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Colossians 2:17 - These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:12 - For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly, I'll fly away

2 Timothy 4:18 - The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 8:21 - that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Oh how glad and happy when we meet, I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet, I'll fly away

(See release/bondage verses above)

Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,


To a land where joys will never end, I'll fly away

John 16:22 - So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.


(I’ll Fly away, by Albert E Brumley)



2. THE PERSONAL DEFENSE: (From: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2012/02/ill-fly-away.html )

Over the years I've heard preachers and theologians completely throw songs like I'll Fly Away under the bus. Why? Because it's escapist!

...I understand the criticism. Where is the whole "may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"? Where is the vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to earth in Revelation 21-22? It does seem like I'll Fly Away is pointing us away from this world in anticipation of the next. The song suggests that the whole goal and aim of the Christian life is to "fly away" from this world to the next.

But here's what I found in the prison. I'll Fly Away is one of their favorite songs. We sing it every week. And it's not hard to see why...

...The point is, while I get the theological criticism of I'll Fly Away the song sounds completely different in prison. Just like the bible.

Because here's the deal, does I'll Fly Away make any sense when it's sung by rich people of power and privilege? I mean, what the heck are you flying away from? Life in suburbia? The Caramel Macchiatos at Starbucks? The vacations at the beach? The fact that you have clean water, indoor plumbing, central heating/air, and two cars?

...There is a prophetic aspect to I'll Fly Away that privileged people generally miss. Having never suffered slavery, oppression or imprisonment we can't hear the lament in I'll Fly Away. So of course when the privileged sing the song it sounds theologically shallow.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I just thought it was a made up movie song with George Klooney.....What do you know.

 

[salzer mtn]

I know that we can see in creation things that remind us of the new birth and the resurrection but in death or the resurrection i don't think we will grow wings like a bird and fly away. I don't think we will fly period. At the resurrection we shall either be changed in a moment and in a twinkling of an eye or we shall come forth from the graves and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. When we sing songs in a worship service that are misleading we sing lies unto the Lord.

 

[12strings]

I know that we can see in creation things that remind us of the new birth and the resurrection but in death or the resurrection i don't think we will grow wings like a bird and fly away. I don't think we will fly period. At the resurrection we shall either be changed in a moment and in a twinkling of an eye or we shall come forth from the graves and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. When we sing songs in a worship service that are misleading we sing lies unto the Lord.

Seriously?

1. You yourself said we would be "in the air". Is that not flying?

2. Even though I don't think literal flying is necessarily excluded from scripture, It doesn't even have to be literal, since one might say "I fly to the Lord for refuge," simply meaning "I go quickly to the Lord for refuge."

3. You truly believe that anyone, anywhere who speak of flying away to God after this life is lying, and has zero literal or figurative valid biblical reason to say that?

 

[salzer mtn]

Seriously?

1. You yourself said we would be "in the air". Is that not flying?

2. Even though I don't think literal flying is necessarily excluded from scripture, It doesn't even have to be literal, since one might say "I fly to the Lord for refuge," simply meaning "I go quickly to the Lord for refuge."

3. You truly believe that anyone, anywhere who speak of flying away to God after this life is lying, and has zero literal or figurative valid biblical reason to say that?

Other than what i have already said, songs that i enjoy are songs that praise and glorify God for the salvation of sinners. Songs that magnify his sovereignty. I love songs that has words about the master. These songs about places and events takes a back seat to what we as christians need to hear. I use to sing these songs like I'll fly away back when i was a free will but after the Lord taught me of his free grace, those I'll fly away songs are to shallow. I've never seen a bird that can fly straight up as i will be caught up to meet him in the air.

 

[InTheLight]

Other than what i have already said, songs that i enjoy are songs that praise and glorify God for the salvation of sinners. Songs that magnify his sovereignty. I love songs that has words about the master. These songs about places and events takes a back seat to what we as christians need to hear. I use to sing these songs like I'll fly away back when i was a free will but after the Lord taught me of his free grace, those I'll fly away songs are to shallow. I've never seen a bird that can fly straight up as i will be caught up to meet him in the air.

So, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder" is not a good song for you?

 

[Michaelt]

Would really like to see some of your churches hymnals; with all the music that is being tossed about as not good to sing, it's interesting to know what some of you consider good enough to sing.

 

[InTheLight]

As to the song "I'll Fly Away":

Psalm 90:10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

 

[12strings]

Other than what i have already said, songs that i enjoy are songs that praise and glorify God for the salvation of sinners. Songs that magnify his sovereignty. I love songs that has words about the master. These songs about places and events takes a back seat to what we as christians need to hear. I use to sing these songs like I'll fly away back when i was a free will but after the Lord taught me of his free grace, those I'll fly away songs are to shallow. I've never seen a bird that can fly straight up as i will be caught up to meet him in the air.

So in light of the evidence, especially InTheLight's last post, are you backing off your assertion that singing "I'll fly away" is singing LIES? I noticed you didn't address that in your response.

 

[salzer mtn]

So in light of the evidence, especially InTheLight's last post, are you backing off your assertion that singing "I'll fly away" is singing LIES? I noticed you didn't address that in your response.

Yes, you guy's proved me wrong. In light of scripture we will fly away, but i still think there are better songs to sing.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[RLBosley]

I'll Fly Away is probably one of my all time favorite Hymns!

But the song seems to be more about our soul "flying away" to be with the Lord at death than the rapture... so I don't get the criticism.

 

[percho]

So, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder" is not a good song for you?

Exactly when is, the roll called up yonder?

 

[InTheLight]

Exactly when is, the roll called up yonder?

Not sure when, but when the roll is called up yonder I'll be there.