VERSE 1 
Through ages long Papal Rome oppressed
God’s faithful ones who would not yield;
The man-made throne, the papal claim,
Enforced its creed by sword and flame.
For nearly thirteen centuries truth was chained—
Yet heaven counted every pain.
The sea beast that once held saints in bonds
Fulfilled the prophet’s solemn song:

REFRAIN:
He who leads into captivity
Shall go into captivity;
He who wields the sword of tyranny
Shall fall beneath his own decree.
Here the saints endure in faith,
Trusting God who rights all wrong;
For the Judge of all the earth
Will vindicate His chosen ones.

VERSE 2 
When kingdoms shook and thrones grew weak,
A general marched from France to speak:
“Your temporal power ends—your reign is done.”
The captive pope was led along.
The persecutor now enslaved,
The hand of God in justice raised;
The deadly wound the Scriptures told
Unfolded as the ages rolled.

(REFRAIN)
He who leads into captivity
Shall go into captivity;
He who wields the sword of tyranny
Shall fall beneath his own decree.
Here the saints endure in faith,
Trusting God who rights all wrong;
For the Judge of all the earth
Will vindicate His chosen ones.

VERSE 3 
Yet prophecy declares once more
The sea beast – the Papacy will rise to rule the world;
The lamblike beast – Protestant America will speak as dragon,
Enforce a counterfeit of worship – the Beast’s mark.
Again the faithful will be tried—
But Christ stands ever at their side.
The final test will soon appear
Before the coming King draws near:

(REFRAIN)
He who leads into captivity
Shall go into captivity;
He who wields the sword of tyranny
Shall fall beneath his own decree.
Here the saints endure in faith,
Clinging to God’s holy word;
Till the heavens break with glory—
And the Lamb returns as Lord.



BRIDGE 
Hold fast, O church, though darkness swells;
The Mighty One still rules all realms.
No power of man, no earthly throne
Can silence truth or crush His own.
For justice rides with eyes of flame—
The righteous Judge will soon reclaim
All wrongs made right, all tears undone
When Christ appears, the Faithful One.

REFRAIN
He who leads into captivity
Shall go into captivity;
God remembers every sorrow—
He will end iniquity.
With patience saints their vigil keep,
While angels guard them tenderly;
Till dawn breaks forth eternally—
And truth at last is fully free.