A Dream of Heaven

A DREAM OF HEAVEN I dreamed I went to heaven, and as I entered there And saw the streets so golden and all the mansions fair, I marveled at its beauty, I stood there with such awe; I met the Bible heroes, and so many more I saw. My friends, my many loved ones, the preachers I had heard, The ones who had been martyrs for standing for God’s word, The throne of God and Jesus, the precious mercy seat Where Jesus laid His blood down when His work was complete. It truly was much better than described to human ear, The place I’d be forever, with no more sin or fear. I noticed something missing, and then I wondered why This one thing they had told me would be there in the sky Was now so strangely absent! This sure could not be so! For all my life I’d heard that this would be where I’d go. There was no voice of shouting! No hallelujahs said, No singing of a choir of victory from the dead. No praise to the Lord Jesus for His salvation free, No hands raised there in glory for what they now could see. I asked another member, “Why aren’t there any shouts? They told me oh, so often, I’d hear them without doubt.” The member looked then at me with a face almost grim And I was so astonished with words that came from him. “Well, so many, many Christians attended church below Where shouting was forbidden, and voices were kept low. It was too much distraction; respect it could not be In such a holy meeting for one to shout with glee. God finally decided this place should be that way So all would be in comfort for their eternal day. So, I know you are excited that you are in this place, But please don’t go a-shouting or sing ‘Amazing Grace.’ We just all sit here quiet and look around all day And meditate on Jesus as we walk along the way. We keep our hands both folded, we walk with steps so slow, We bow our heads in reverence wherever we may go.” I woke then on my bed there, glad that it was a dream, For when I get to heaven, I want to shout and scream! “I know I was not worthy to be here in this place, But how I thank You, Jesus, for all Your love and grace! And thank You that the devil with all his imps below Are gone from life forever, with all their pains and woe!” I wouldn’t want a heaven with streets made out of gold, And mansions there to dwell in, with beauty yet untold, And saints of all the ages, and Jesus there to see If there could be no shouting for joy and victory! The shouts will make it heaven! At last our victory won! Where we’re free and there forever with God’s eternal Son!