Hello World!!!
In spite of the title of this post, I am determined to make this a fun and whimsical post – hopefully, it will not be sacrilegious…I’m sure somebody will let me know if it is.
So tonight, we start studying the book of Revelation in Bible Study. I’ve never been too excited about this book. All of the symbolism just goes way over my head. And the battle between Good and Evil is downright scary even though Good wins. Have you taken a look at Revelation lately? There is mention of creatures covered with eyes, a beast with horns but with the voice of a dragon, plagues, men gnawing their tongues in agony, a fiery lake of burning sulfur and I could go on…pretty scary stuff – as scary as any scary movie I’ve ever seen. Also, I have childhood memories of watching this creepy movie, Thief in the Night, in church one Sunday night. In the movie, this woman discovers her Christian husband has been raptured, and she is living in the last days of the Antichrist. Everyone must get the mark of the beast, etc. Imagine seeing that as a six year old – no wonder I have tried to avoid the book of Revelation pretty much since then. (Aside: I have heard people speculate that Barack Obama may be the Antichrist…My answer to that is – why the black man gotta be the Antichrist? I mean…)
By the end of Revelation, however, John, who wrote the book, describes his vision of heaven. He said “it shown with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” According to John, the sun or moon are obsolete in heaven as “the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” There will be no need for health or life insurance (Thank You Jesus!) as “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things have passed away.”
So when is this post going to get fun and whimsical? Keep reading! 🙂 As the daughter of a pastor, I have heard many a gospel song over the years – one in particular comes to mind. I remember riding with my father to church one Sunday and this song came on, Walk Around Heaven, by Cassietta George. In the song, George said in Heaven, every day will be Sunday…I remember telling my father just then that if in Heaven, every day is Sunday, I just as soon not go. He laughed and asked me to explain why. Here’s the thing. I truly enjoy going to church on Sunday, and on some Sundays, I love going to church. But when it’s time to go, I leave and sometimes very happily… I just want don’t want heaven to be an eternal church service where we are reading scripture, passing the offering plate, listening to long, rambling testimonies, listening for when the pastor is going to shut down the sermon, wondering why our pantyhose is itching, etc.
I want Heaven to be like a tropical island – a place where the water is so blue that it is nearly indistinguishable from the sky. I want to be able to walk up right up to God and talk to Him as long as I want to about anything that comes to mind. Why didn’t Erik Estrada from “CHiPs” marry me when I was a little girl? Why are some really mean people rich and some really nice people poor? Why does there have to be war? And for goodness sake, who let the dogs out? (Yes, I’m being silly) I hope in heaven everyone is their best self – whatever that means. And I hope we’re not just spirits walking around in heaven. I hope that we still have our bodies – toned up though. And I hope there is male and female for reasons I won’t go into here, ha, ha…
So what is your idea of Heaven? When I listen to that song, Zoom, by the Commodores, I think of Heaven…It’s a beautiful song really. Uh, oh, I can hear you singing, “Zoom, Zoom.” 🙂
Any Thoughts?
I’ll be the first to bite on this one. I would love to hear your thoughts after the Revelation study.
As to sacrilegious, I wouldn’t necessarily say you are sacrilegious, but I do question your questioning. I mean have been called a dog (B.C.) and I don’t care who let us out. I would be more concerned with “Why did I feel like that why did I chase the cat (gotta be a P Funker to understand)?” And who wants to look at hard bodies in heaven. I don’t want to have to be distracted by Gabriel Union, or Kerry Washington or Janet Jackson (Ms. Jackson if you will).
Lastly if the Heaven sparkles like jewels, jasper and crystal, then my neighborhood must be Heaven because with all the gold chains, gold teeth, pinky rings, diamond earrings, noserings, bellyrings, eyerings, liprings, tonguerings, etc. etc. I see DAILY, I must have arrived. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. “This Must Be Heaven” (Brainstorm 1977).
BTW, again good writing. The light side of Christianity is not necessarily a bad thing. Content means a lot. Some people can be serious and never make the point needed. This article says to me, “I think I’ll look again at this book.”
On a serious note… I too would love to read your thoughts about the book of Revelations once your study is done. I too have recently started reading the book and hold your same views as a child as to why I stayed away from the book all these years.
On a lighter (more comical) note… I see heaven as a wonderful place, but I have always questioned if all dogs go to heaven where do all of our other pets go? Are dogs the anointed pet? I mean think about it God promises us mansions and streets of gold all surrounded by pearly gates who wouldn’t want to go? Not saying that I am looking forward to getting there anytime soon (I am having fun here right now). I personally look forward to having a BBQ and playing dominoes, spades and bid wis every weekend.
Just having a little “Christian” fun. Good article and I think we all should stop and take time to really understand that happiness is something different from everyone and God doesn’t limit us to one definition.
This is my favorite song about Heaven. Listen to the words — beautiful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L3DYzuyVAw
@Cbb – You’re showing your age? 🙂
@EL – Of course, dogs are anointed! Just ask Michael Vick! I wonder what happens to moose – I guess that’s another question for another day!
@Chicki Brown, thanks for sharing the song!
Why have fear? If I read correctly, by the time all the bad things in Revelations really manifest, all of those that believe will be gone, right? If you’re not living right, this is when there will be problems. I don’t know if I agree that Obama is the Antichrist, but we all have to admit that his presence does fit the description very well. Not to mention the Verichip, perceived New World Order, and the other numberous Signs of the Times.
I am also having fun right now, so I can’t say I want this to be the end either. But considering I’ve never had a choice when GOD decided it was time for something to happen, I believe my soul is ready for a better life – or would that be afterlife? Either way, I accept and welcome Heaven when the time comes. My mind will eventually get over it, just like all the other life changing events I lived through.
@DR, thanks for your comment!