PAUL’S VISION

You have not seen what I have seen,

Nor heard what I have heard;

You entered not where I have been,

Where strangely I was stirred.

Through intervening skies I rose

To the third heaven of bliss;

And saw what no man sees or knows,

Nor earth can show, like this.

I heard, where sinless angels dwell,

Words awesome, great and grand;

Words I could never dare to tell,

Nor you could understand.

I only know, and this in part,

What God revealed to me;

Things inexpressible – my heart

Glimpsed things before unseen.

And only He who lifted me

Through those expanding skies,

Can open each high mystery

Close hid from human eyes.

Yet ever in my soul abides

What was to me revealed;

But till He shows what now He hides

My lips are closely sealed.

Fling open. Lord, heaven’s glorious gates;

Unseal my eyes and lips,

My ransomed spirit longs and waits

That great apocalypse.

Till then, Lord, I would patiently

Anticipate the day,

When I Christ’s unveiled glory see,

And own His sovereign sway.

Then shall I gaze on Christ who died

From sin to set me free;

See Him enthroned and glorified

In power and majesty.

NORMAN R. PERRY