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