When I Shall Come to the End of My Way Meaning, History, and Theology
"When I shall come to the end of my way"
- Written
- 1924
- Category
- Hymn
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Story
When I Shall Come to the End of My Way, also known as Sunrise or Sunrise Tomorrow, is a 1924 gospel hymn by William C. Poole and Bentley D. Ackley. Its message centers on heaven, Christ's welcome, the ransomed in praise, and the believer's hope of sunrise with Jesus for eternity.
Overview
When I Shall Come to the End of My Way is a gospel hymn of heavenly hope and assurance. It looks toward the close of earthly life with confidence that the believer will be received by Jesus and will enter the glory prepared by God.
The hymn uses the image of sunrise to describe the believer's passage from the fading daylight of earthly life into the bright joy of life with Christ. Its comfort is not merely that suffering will end, but that the redeemed will see Jesus, join the ransomed in praise, and live with him for eternity.
For worship, the hymn is especially suitable for funerals, memorial services, gospel services, services of assurance, and devotional teaching on heaven. It helps a congregation sing about death with Christian hope rather than despair.
Historical Background
When I Shall Come to the End of My Way is commonly titled Sunrise or Sunrise Tomorrow. Hymnary identifies William C. Poole as the author, Bentley D. Ackley as the composer, and the publication date as 1924. Hymnal instances also report a 1924 copyright by The Rodeheaver Company, with later appearances in collections such as Hymns We Love and Victorious Hymns.
Poole was a Methodist minister and gospel song writer, and Ackley was a gospel song composer and music editor. Their collaboration produced a song in the American gospel hymn tradition, using direct language, a memorable refrain, and vivid imagery of heaven.
The text and original tune were published in 1924 and are identified by Hymnary as public domain. However, this particular setting includes a 2014 arrangement by Samuel V. Guerrero. Because that arrangement is modern, the represented version should not be treated as public domain for unrestricted display or reproduction unless permission or licensing is confirmed.
Biblical Foundations
The hymn is strongly rooted in John 14:2-3, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for his people and receive them to himself. This gives the hymn's heaven language its personal center: the believer's home is with Christ.
Philippians 3:20 supports the hymn's heavenly orientation by declaring that the believer's citizenship is in heaven. Revelation 22:4 gives the hymn its deepest longing, the promise that God's servants will see his face.
Revelation 21:3-4 gives the pastoral comfort behind the hymn's sunrise imagery: the former things of death, mourning, crying, and pain will pass away. Hebrews 6:19-20 enriches the image of heaven's harbor by presenting hope as a sure anchor of the soul. Revelation 5:9-13 supports the hymn's vision of joining the ransomed in eternal praise.
Verse Explanation
Stanza 1 describes the end of the earthly journey and the rest that follows life's day. The hope is personal and Christ-centered: the believer anticipates the welcome of Jesus and the sunrise of glory.
Stanza 2 turns to the beauty of the King and the worship of the ransomed. Heaven is pictured as praise, communion, and the joyful tribute of the redeemed before Christ.
Stanza 3 returns to the image of life's day ending and the soul finding harbor. The believer's anchor is finally cast in heaven, where seeing the Savior brings the long-awaited sunrise.
The refrain gathers the whole hymn into its central image. Sunrise tomorrow means glory with Jesus, not merely a new day but eternal life in his presence.
Theological Reflection
The hymn teaches Christian hope as hope centered on Jesus. Heaven is not simply rest, reunion, or escape from trouble. It is being welcomed by Christ, seeing the Savior, and sharing the worship of the redeemed.
The sunrise image gives the hymn a gentle eschatology. Death is described as the close of life's day, but for the believer that close is followed by dawn. The gospel changes the meaning of the end because Christ has prepared a future beyond it.
The hymn also emphasizes assurance. The singer does not claim heaven on the basis of personal achievement, but on the promised welcome of Jesus and the grace that gathers the redeemed. This makes the hymn useful for pastoral comfort, especially when fear of death needs to be answered by the promises of Christ.
Church Impact
Hymnary documents Sunrise in numerous hymnals and gospel song collections. It has appeared in conservative Protestant, gospel, and revival-related collections, including Hymns We Love, Victorious Hymns, The Christian Hymnary, and The Cyber Hymnal.
The hymn's lasting usefulness lies in its tender and accessible picture of heavenly hope. It gives congregations language for facing death through the promise of Christ's welcome and the joy of seeing the Savior at last.
Musical Notes
The tune is commonly identified with the song title Sunrise and was composed by Bentley D. Ackley. Hymnary gives the meter as 10.10.10.8 with refrain.
The melody belongs to the gospel song tradition, with a clear stanza structure and a refrain that carries the central image of sunrise and eternal life. The refrain should be sung with warmth and confidence, since it provides the hymn's pastoral center.
A moderate tempo is appropriate. In funeral or memorial use, the accompaniment should support the congregation gently while allowing the words about Jesus, heaven, and eternal hope to remain clear.
Application
- Use the hymn to help believers speak honestly about death while holding firmly to the promise of life with Christ.
- Comfort grieving people by pointing beyond loss to the Savior who receives his people.
- Teach heaven as communion with Jesus, not merely a pleasant place or sentimental reunion.
- Use the image of sunrise to explain Christian hope after the darkness of suffering and death.
- Encourage the congregation to live now as citizens of heaven who are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
- What images does the hymn use to describe death and heaven?
- How does the hymn's gospel song style help communicate comfort and assurance?
- How does John 14:2-3 shape the hymn's confidence about the end of the believer's way?
- What does the hymn teach about the difference between heaven as a place and heaven as life with Jesus?
- How can the hope of sunrise with Jesus strengthen faith during grief, illness, aging, or uncertainty?
Teaching Tips
- Begin by reading John 14:2-3 and explain that the hymn's hope rests on Christ's promise to receive his people.
- Teach the sunrise image as a Christian symbol of hope after the darkness of death.
- Use Revelation 22:4 to show that the hymn's highest hope is seeing the Savior's face.
- In funeral settings, sing the hymn with pastoral warmth rather than excessive sentimentality.
- Explain that the original text and tune are old, but a modern arrangement may require permission before reproducing the music.
Sources
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Hymnary.org, text authority page for When I shall come to the end of my way
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Hymnary.org, The Christian Hymnary entry for When I Shall Come to the End of My Way
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Hymnary.org, Hymns We Love 1935 entry for Sunrise
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Hymnary.org, Victorious Hymns 1939 entry for Sunrise
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The Cyber Hymnal, Sunrise, also known as Sunrise Tomorrow
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World English Bible, public domain text
Lyrics
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Sheet Music
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