Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A Vision of Heaven

Many years ago I had a vision of heaven. I don't talk about it much. It's not describable except in tongues. Words can't frame eternity and the full manifested Glory of God. So I don't try. When I have it always falls far short. People will say, "so that's why you are the way you are". Once you have seen heaven, fearlessness and passion become your trademark. I understand the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. I hope every believer will get a glimpse on this side of the veil.

Sometimes it will refresh in my mind and spirit. This morning was one such. I had seen the glassy sea. The throne. Heard the thunder. The sound of many waters. Then it hit me. Great and small. Old and young. Women and men. Every tribe. Every nation. The love. The common theme. The song of the Lord. I have heard it a few times when a whole congregation begins to sing in the Spirit softly and it rises. It is a familiar song. It brings tears to my eyes every time. Once you go there, you will ever long for the glassy sea.

One thing in the body of Christ we joke about, "there will be no sound systems in heaven". Usually when the church's sound system doesn't work right, (which in many churches is all the time). I can't hear what people are saying in most church settings (except at Crusaders where they seem to have this figured out).

This morning as I was meditating on the vision again, it occurred to me, there are no microphones in heaven. No one HAS the mike. The throne is the only focus. "To HE who Sits on the Throne".

In fact, if any person began to sing out over the song of the Lord it would be out of line...but its heaven and no one does.

Think if your church was having one of those moments and the congregation began to worship in spiritual song, when suddenly someone jumped up and begin to sing out over the top. You would consider them out of order...and they would be.

In fact the concept of a song leader in heaven is crazy. The song is the song. No leader needed. The words come from Holy Spirit as he gives them. The melody is formed in the atmosphere. It's glorious. No one preaches. No one yells. They all give glory to God as the voices are raised together.

One last thing, this will be hard, and this will be one of those places where words don't work. On the glassy sea every voice is heard by every person and all in concert as well. I don't know how to explain this. If there are 3 billion people, all are heard, no one is drowned out, all are one and ....
nope can't be explained.

I just wish Church could be like that. It's not. Sometimes for a brief moment it is. But usually when the mikes are off. Only in humility. Only when true worship takes place. It's seldom...but...I long for the Glassy Sea. Let's manifest heaven on earth...PLEASE?

2 comments:

Vincenzo said...

Gene, you may want to check out a book called 'Ask for the Ancient Paths' by Jessica Jones. She was given visions of many things from the fall of Lucifer to the nature of the universe, even glimpses of what eternity would be like. You may not agree with everything in the book, but it's thought provoking. Plus, she defers back to Scripture.

margaret said...

I had a vision of Heaven four years ago, after the tragic death of a loved one. It is still so clear to me - the huge crowd in front of the throne, the loud noise of praise which was actually beautiful, the waving of palm leaves, knowing my relatives were around me. I remember the pull to be there was so strong I didn't want to 'return' out of my vision! I had never had a vision before that about Heaven or as strong a vision since then. It warms my heart just to remember it...