Exploration of "When the Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash Pt. 2

Back again!  We are examining Johnny Cash's prophetically inspired song, "When the Man Comes Around."  Here is a link to the video if you haven't seen it: 

https://youtu.be/jiMXK9eDrMY

 Last time we explored the first verse and the refrain.  Here is a link to that page if you haven't seen it:

https://literalove1.blogspot.com/2022/07/exposition-of-when-man-comes-around-by.html

We are starting with the second verse!  And here it is:

"Till armageddon no shalam, no shalom"

This is a reference to several parts of the Bible about "peace" or "rest." The Hebrew word for peace or rest can be "shalam" or "shalom." The best reference for this is Isaiah 57:

But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 57:20‭-‬21 ESV

In other words, Johnny says that forever, there will be no shalom for the wicked.

Next up!

"Then the father hen will call his chickens home"

Jesus talks to the people of Jerusalem by describing them as His "brood" of chicks, and how he longs to call them home to Him:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Matthew 23:37 ESV

When Jesus returns, He will gather us up in the Rapture.

Next up!

"The wise men will bow down before the throne

And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns

When the man comes around"

This is a reference to Revelation 4:9-11:

"And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'”

Revelation 4:9‭-‬11 ESV

Next up!

"Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still

Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still

Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still

Listen to the words long written down

When the man comes around."

The first three lines of this stanza are a direct quote from Revelation, and the rest is just telling us to listen.  So here it is:

"Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Revelation 22:11 ESV

The most convincing interpretation I've heard of this quote is that after we pass into the next life, those who have already accepted Jesus (the righteous and the holy) continue in their way (being righteous and holy in heaven). Those who die without Jesus, the unjust and filthy, continue being unjust and filthy in hell, or in the "lake of fire."  Direct quote from Revelation, wonderful verse.

Second to last one!  The refrain repeats, but Johnny adds a couple key phrases that are also associated with scripture passages:

"In measured hundredweight and penny pound

When the man comes around."

One hundred pounds is another way to say "hundredweight," and it is found in Revelation 16:

From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

Revelation 16:21

The wrath of God is measured.  People are accountable and will be repaid for their deeds on the earth.  One of the measures is the measured weight of the hailstones that will rain on the unrighteous.

Pennypound is a similar reference, but it is from Luke 12.  Here is the verse:

“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Luke 12:57‭-‬59 ESV

As we can see, Jesus is talking about forgiving others who have wronged you and asking forgiveness of those you have wronged.  If we do not repent of our misdeeds against a neighbor, he may take us to the court, and the judge (God) will throw us in jail (hell) until we pay the very last penny (we pay eternally for the sins we committed on this earth).

The reference to the wicked making restitution in "pennies" or "penny-pounds" is a similar concept to God making restitution on the wicked with "hundredweight" hailstones.

Last one!

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts

And I looked, and behold a pale horse

And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"

This is also a direct quote from Revelation.  Here is the full reference:

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

Revelation 6:7‭-‬8 ESV

Here is a small exposition of this verse: some say that the four horses and their horsemen are the "they" who were given authority to kill a fourth of the earth, and this is why the first horseman can't be Jesus.  But I think the "they" are Death and Hades, not all four horsemen.  So the first horseman can be Jesus.  That's just a little food for thought!  Hope you enjoyed this exploration together!