Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #596 - Look For the Waymarks

“Look for the Waymarks” is a distinctly Adventist hymn of prophetic faith and hope, encouraging believers to trace the unfolding of God’s plan through history and to watch for the signs of Christ’s soon return. The hymn invites worshippers to “look for the waymarks” — the significant events in the rise and fall of nations — that point to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The message is both instructional and inspirational: it calls believers to remain alert, faithful, and confident in God’s guiding hand. The melody is bright and march-like, reinforcing the sense of movement and anticipation as God’s people journey toward His eternal kingdom. Each verse identifies key prophetic “waymarks”: The succession of empires symbolized in Daniel’s vision (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome). The establishment of modern nations and the nearing end of time. The call to look forward with faith to Christ’s promised second coming. “Look for the Waymarks” was written by Franklin E. Belden (1858–1945), one of the most prolific hymn writers of the early Seventh-day Adventist Church. Known as the “sweet singer of Israel” among Adventists, Belden composed hundreds of hymns emphasizing Christian hope, Bible prophecy, and readiness for Jesus’ return. This hymn first appeared in Hymns and Tunes for Those Who Keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus (1886), an early Adventist songbook. Belden wrote both the lyrics and the music, crafting a song that clearly reflected the prophetic emphasis of the Adventist movement, especially the message of Daniel 2 — the succession of world empires leading to God’s eternal kingdom. The “waymarks” mentioned in the hymn represent prophetic milestones that assure believers of the reliability of Scripture and the certainty of Christ’s return.