The New Jerusalem

Oh city! new Jerusalem, from heaven now descending,
How precious now you are to those who are your ways attending.
Oh King of Zion, you have built this glorious city solely.
And when in spirit we look up, our cares of earth leave wholly.

What hath my spirit now perceived, of something great attaining?
As through this new door now I gazed, the old no more remaining.
So lovely in abundance now my eye is all attending,
What caused this silence and sweet rest? I am not comprehending.

My breathing is so easy now, the air is so agreeing,
The region is all joyful here where e'er my eyes are seeing,
And when my eyes look toward the east I see the sunrise gleaming,
I then am charmed because this place with holiness is streaming.

I think 'tis only but a dream, or some imagination,
But no, so how shall I kneel down in true humiliation?
I am so happy now within, with heav'nly jubilation,
I am so happy now within, with pain's elimination.

An escort then was sent to me, to walk with me so gently,
He kindly offered me his hand, and promised he would guide me.
So calmly now he leads me with increased acceleration,
Peace grows within, and now the day show more illumination.

The sunrays now have reached their height, My Lord, what am I seeing?
I asked my guide of these strange fields, who brought them into being?
And what amazing glory here, who made these sights so pretty?
Who has this all in order set? Who built this glorious city?

My loved one dear, what sights I see in this full sunlight glowing!
This is the land of Canaan now with Zion's border showing.
The city, new Jerusalem, its doors you are perceiving
Where you shall soon in comfort dwell, and never more be leaving.

Oh brother! it is now I sense a new life I'm discovering,
And there I see in heav'ns gleam the souls of thousands hov'ring.
I see what I ne'er saw before and it is so astounding,
I hear oh such a melody, I hear the trumpets sounding.

Oh brother! let your courage rise, think what you will be hearing,
And there the watchmen are on guard, your honor they're revering.
The heav'ns rejoice with gladness now that you have been victorious,
For now you have eternal peace, and that will be most glorious.

How can I prove my righteousness, what merits this within me?
O brother, when I see my sins, of this I am not worthy!
That door will yet be closed to me; here's my walk's termination,
So let me in the sunlight here prepare my habitation.

My brother, be not now despaired, the door ajar is standing,
No thought is giv'n to sins up here, and here, no reprimanding
About the things that hindered you, your crossing will be certain,
Where many of your loved ones dwell, who've gone beyond death's curtain.

We now move upward on our way, so swiftly and so easy,
And there I saw the pearly gate was opened wide before me.
Then as I looked upon the streets, through this door in my vision,
I thought how pure one has to be, who makes this great decision?

A new thought then occurred to me, what peace throughout the ages.
The Book of Life was opened and my name was on its pages.
My righteousness was soon declared, my wedding garb in order,
Come servant enter into rest, within this city's border.

I now was fully through the door, most royally conducted,
A robe of white was now my garb and as a prince instructed.
What singing and what shouting here upon these streets they're raising,
I hardly understood the cause for all this thanks and praising.

The city's glory then I saw, its beauty it was boundless,
Great tones of praise heard far and wide, ne'er leave the city soundless.
The sun is always shining here, its rays the clouds ne'er hiding,
The rule of love is in control, the judge is never chiding.

As I saw now from whence I'd come, to join this numerous union,
Together there in peace they live, in pleasant sweet communion.
Where each one to the other looks with lovelight fully glowing,
Soon songs of honor, love, and thanks unto the Lamb they're showing.

My leader asked that I proceed, more distance still unfolding,
For in this city you will be much greater things beholding.
Then passing through the golden streets, my way I still was wending,
Till I became so overloved, I was not comprehending.

From everywhere I heard them sing the songs with tones victorious,
I also heard the trumpets and the harps chime oh so glorious.
Here once again we stood a bit, the victors' flags were swaying,
The victors' crowns were given, too, their conqu'ring pow'rs displaying.

Then finally I moved in line, their code of honor heeding,
A crown of righteousness I gained as I was there proceeding.
A crown of honor, too, was giv'n, while in this place of glory,
Such as King Solomon ne'er wore as told to us in story.

I now have come to the redeemed, beyond the scenes terrestrial,
A citizen complete within the city built celestial.
Forevermore our joy is full, all grief from here is banished,
And we are told all things are new, the former all have vanished.

Then nearly to the ground I bowed in true humiliation,
What shall I do? What will they do? What is my situation?
So I cried out, "My God and Lord, my burden you are bearing!
Such honor You bestow on me, such values You are sharing."

Then everyone who saw me there showed gladness for our meeting,
They welcomed me so kindly and embraced me with their greeting.
The multitude began to praise their Lord who lives forever,
Because another child came home, his ties no more to sever.

A friend whom I had known on earth, still toward me there was pressing,
With loving clasp he shook my hand, then said, my name addressing,
"Enter into your great reward, we welcome you with pleasure,
This is true rest, delight, and peace, the soul's eternal treasure.

Then soon another came to me and said to me with feeling,
Vict’ry, redemption be to you for your true faith revealing.
Because on earth you gave to me good counsel and example,
Beside the grace of God in life your guidance was most ample.

Still farther on along the way, these heav'nly brethren guiding,
We came unto another place, found other friends residing.
What are these scenes, these lovely sights, before my eyes appearing?
Oh yes, it is a children's choir, the sounds that I am hearing.

There I could see them from afar, delight and joy was showing,
Also the sounds so wonderful were from their harps upraising.
These golden harps with heav'nly tones were to God's glory ringing,
And joined with this you heard the choir their hallelujah's singing.

Respect to God and to the Lamb were central on their praising,
Also the sounds so wonderful were from their harps upraising.
These golden harps with heav'nly tones were to God's glory ringing,
And joined with this you heard the choir their hallelujah's singing.

I saw their radiant innocence, almost beyond defining,
With tenderest humility, their cheeks were bright and shining.
Full glory, love and happiness, enriched their jubilation,
I felt they're mine; my friends were there, amidst this congregation

In their delight I saw them gleam, oh such a home of beauty,
Oh peace, true peace, but as for now they leave their choir duty.
Then soon their recognizing me and come without delaying,
To greet me with their welcome and paternal honor paying.

They said, "Dear father, have you come, do you appear before us?
Oh triumph, victory, and here, we're thine," said they in chorus.
Embracing them with outstretched arms, they waited to receive me,
And then they all began to think that they would never leave me.

No one can know how these scenes to me bring exultation,
We learn there the true joys of heav'n, and meaning of salvation.
Salvation to my children, Lord, You highly recommended,
And now You've shown me this anew, although it never ended.

I found my mansion there prepared so nicely and inviting,
They took me in for on the door my name was placed in writing.
How ornate here, what splendor, too, the room it is so spacious,
And many mansions You have made, dear Savior, You've been gracious.

The children's little band of love indeed was very touching,
When there they lead me farther on as they my hand were clutching.
They brought me to their home where they eternally are reigning,
And as now they think that I with them will be remaining.

This house of God He built Himself, and true it is most surely,
And here I see the temple, too, as farther on they lead me.
The fount of life here issues forth, and is God's glory showing,
In holiness and purity, it crystal clear is flowing.

It constantly is flowing on and new streams is creating,
Providing all the streets up there, its volume ne'er abating.
Its princes there are honored while the city it's supplying,
And he who drinks shall never thirst, 'tis fully satisfying.

There, too, you see the trees of life, along the stream they're growing,
How wondrously they spread their limbs, true humbleness they're showing.
One sees them nearly all the time, their green leaves showing clearly,
They're also filled with sweetest fruit that's yielded twelve times yearly.

Yet this is not just to behold or only for our knowing,
This fruit is giv'n for our delight, its good to us bestowing,
And here is a true paradise prepared for each one's sharing,
When viewed with Eden's garden now its charm's beyond comparing.

All trees that grow here may be touched, their fruit's for our receiving,
The serpent has no room up here, there is no more deceiving.
True servants here refresh themselves, exhaustion is here never,
The word is true we have read, all tears are gone forever.

For this cause that true Canaan land with milk and honey flowing,
Tired wanderers can here enjoy heaven's breezes gently blowing.
Affliction, strife, and sorrow past, true rest is now remaining,
Here in this holy Zion where God with His own is reigning.

And there I saw from Adam on, the Patriarchs, the sages,
In joy and brightness fully praise, the monarchs of the ages.
The kings of earth who to the Lord their loyalty had plighted,
To catch a glimpse of Him from the earth would have been most delighted.

The teachers and the prophets are in perfect state reclining,
Like heaven's stars and planets, they with brightness there are shining.
Through faith's light they the Savior saw, who rescues each believer,
And then they saw the serpent's face who is man's great deceiver.

The Lord's disciples here in joy and triumph are remaining,
They gladly followed Him on earth, but now with Him are reigning.
With grief and trials now all past they there with Him are sharing,
Next to Him now, they'll judge with Him when man's fate He's declaring.

Here one can see great multitudes of holy men selected,
The Lamb they served through trial's hour, their strong faith not affected.
They stand before the glassy sea, and they God's harps are playing,
In worship, they before Him fall, to Him full honor paying.

The cherubim and seraphim are openly relating,
With countenance uncovered they on this great King are waiting.
One sees them there in worship as before God they are kneeling,
And now in holiness one hears, the words "thrice holy" pealing.

If I could but express myself to all, what I am seeing,
Made joyful by the brightness, it's enchanting all my being.
I saw there in that holy light a bliss beyond defining,
I saw my Savior face to face, who wore a crown so shining.

He was so gentle and so mild, but I must cease to share it,
For oh, there is no picture that's sufficient to compare it.
A mortal can no more explain, his words are non-availing,
I therefore now must veil my face because my words are failing.