This song of testimony, which has blessed people worldwide, was written by John W. Peterson in 1961. He was a major influence in evangelical Christian music from the 1950s through the 1970s, and he wrote over one thousand songs and 35 cantatas. He edited and compiled many hymnals and served as president of the Singspiration Music Company, the most prominent Christian music publisher of that time. His songs include “Jesus Led Me All the Way,” “Springs of Living Water,” “Jesus Is Coming Again,” and “Surely Goodness and Mercy.”
In 1961 Peterson was leading the singing at the Montrose Bible Conference in Pennsylvania. During a time of testimonies, an elderly gentleman known as “Old Jim” stood up and gave a glowing testimony of when he came to Christ. He described the experience as though “heaven came down, and glory filled my soul.” Inspired by the old man’s words, John wrote them down, and within a few days, he wrote the words and the music to the song as it is known today.
More than three million copies of Peterson’s music have been sold. “Heaven Came Down” is one of his most well-loved songs as it expresses the blessings of forgiven sin, walking in the light, and having the assurance of a heavenly home. These blessings are possible only by trusting in Jesus as Saviour. When one receives Jesus’ gift of salvation, it’s as though God puts heaven into one’s heart, and one’s soul is filled with glory. This should be the testimony of Christians as they remember that “wonderful day” when they met Jesus as Saviour and “heaven came down.”
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Saviour I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend - He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart!
Refrain:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day -
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!
Justified fully through Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made When as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer Of grace He did proffer - He saved me, O praise his dear name!
I have a future in heaven for sure, There in those mansions sublime.
And it's because of that wonderful day When at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal And blessings supernal From his precious hand I received.
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