Did you know that William Booth had a dream/vision of heaven? It's true. I'm simply going to post it here in it's entirety. It's fascinating, and a bit scary. Hat tip to Salvation Factory for providing a PDF copy of it online. Hat tip to the book Visions by William Booth where I originally read it. Enjoy.
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 1
I had a very curious vision of Heaven the other day, and I have been much perplexed
as to whether I should tell it to my friends or not. The chief difficulty I find in giving it
publicity arises from its apparent uncharitableness. It would seem at first sight as
though I made the gate to the Celestial City narrower than the Bible is supposed to
do, and therefore shut out a large number of those fully expecting to be welcomed
there, and that with a flourish of trumpets.
In this narrowing of the way it will be considered, perhaps, that my vision is at fault,
and therefore somewhat misleading; but on its behalf I may suggest, that as Heaven
is, as the negro said, “a mighty big place,” it may be only some special part of the vast
continent of blessedness that caught my attention, and which is contemplated in my
vision.
Then, again, I have felt a difficulty in supposing myself to be any other than a good
Salvationist, and I have not failed to see that this also may lay my story open to
objection.
But, as everyone knows that dreams and visions are fantastic and contradictory
things, I have thought that these eccentricities might be passed over for the useful
lessons they are calculated to convey. I have, therefore, decided to let this one see the
light, leaving the reader to judge whether it has any interest for, or any application to,
himself.
In my vision I thought that, in some way or other, I had ceased to be, what I hope I am
in fact, a persistent seeker of souls and a resolute opponent of Satan.
I thought that I had been transformed into a Christian of that type which we all know is
so very common around us. It may seem strange also, but I was not conscious whether
I was connected with The Salvation Army or with any other religious organisation.
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 2
All I knew was the simple fact that I claimed to be a follower of Christ, and regarded myself
as having the favour of God, hoping for the enjoyment of the blessings promised to
His people hereafter.
In my vision I imagined that, so far as this world was concerned, Solomon's prayer was
answered in my circumstances, for I had neither poverty nor riches. All my temporal
wants were fully supplied. I had home, friends, and leisure, and all that was really
necessary to happiness in those respects.
I was, as I have already said, a Christian. Most of my more intimate friends professed
to be the same. We visited at each other's houses, and were alike interested in each
other's amusements, business engagements, political opinions, and many other
things. We bought and sold, and married and gave in marriage; in short, we acted as
though the world we were in was going to last for ever.
I thought also that I took some active part in the Church to which I belonged. I always
attended its services on the Sunday, held a prominent position in its financial
management, and occupied myself zealously in teaching Bible truths to the children;
indeed, I considered myself quite a shining light.
Now and then — not very often — I visited the sick, in a friendly way, especially when
they happened to be connected with my own circle of acquaintances, and in addition
to these good deeds I contributed a little money to support missionary operations.
In all this I was quite sincere. I had no notion of playing the hypocrite. In fact, I did not
do so. It is true I did not stop to think what Christianity really was, although I talked
about it freely enough at times, and pitied people who did not profess it. But I seldom
seriously considered what were the claims of Jesus Christ and the poor, sinning,
suffering world about me, although I occasionally heard them discussed, but more
seldom did I meditate upon the length and breadth of those claims in their relation
to myself. I had got into a certain rut of thought, action, and profession, and I went on
from day to day, hoping that all would turn out well at the last.
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 3
But in my vision I fancied that, without any apparent warning, a dangerous fever
seized me. I went down most unexpectedly, and before I knew where I was, the doctor
pronounced me to be in a dangerous condition; in fact, in a few hours I was brought
to the very verge of death.
This was a serious business indeed. Everyone around me was in the greatest
confusion, while many of those who loved me were paralysed with despair. Then
followed consultations with other physicians, a hurrying from far and near of my
family, many suggestions as to remedies from my numerous friends and
acquaintances, together with the most careful nursing which money could procure or
affection dictate. But all proved in vain.
For my own part I did not feel any particular alarm about my state. Whether it was the
suddenness of the visitation, or the benumbing character of the disease, or the effects
of the narcotics which the doctors gave me to procure sleep or soothe the pain, I
cannot tell; but, strangely enough, I seemed to be the least disturbed person in the
household.
I felt as though I were in a dream. I knew I was ill — dangerously ill — for a relative
insisted on my being informed of my real condition, and yet I was not distressed by
the announcement. I thought I should recover. Most people do, I suppose, until the
hand of death is actually on them. And if not, what need had I to worry myself, for was
I not a Christian? Had not Christ died for me? Had I not been converted? Did I not
believe in the Bible? Had I not lived a moral life? What had I to fear?
And then, again, was I not all the time hearing hymns sung for my comfort, and
prayers offered for my restoration, and that if recovery could not be granted me, it
was as earnestly asked that I might pass away without suffering, and have a happy
admission into Heaven? Why should I be very much disturbed?
And even if disquieting thoughts did cross my mind — for I could not help questions
arising as to whether I had done my duty to a perishing world with my time and
influence, and money and family — it was all in a dreamy way.
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 4
So it seemed as though it were impossible to do anything different under the
circumstances than let things drift. How could I do otherwise, with the burning fever
lapping up the vital current, and my brain all confused, and my energies laid
prostrate? Consequently, when I complained that I had not much joy, I readily
acceded to a suggestion made by my minister, that my condition prevented it. Then I
felt, moreover, that if I were not “ready” for the change, I had neither the thought nor
the energy required to begin so serious a business over again as the salvation of my
soul.
Besides, how could I make the confession in the presence of my wife and children and
church comrades that I had been mistaken all these years, and that my life had been a
failure? No! It was too late, and I was too ill, for any such action. One thing I could do,
and that I did: I cast myself, with what force of soul I had left, on the mercy of my
Saviour, and again and again repeated a couplet which had always been a favourite
with me:
"I am a poor Sinner, and nothing at all,
But Jesus Christ is my All-in-all."
It was with this very sentence on my lips — a sentence taken up and reproduced at the
Memorial Service held on the following Sabbath — that a cold numbness came
creeping over me, and a great difficulty in breathing followed.
My friends were alarmed — I read their apprehension in their faces. Some fell on their
knees, and broke out in prayer, while others wept, and my dear ones moistened my
lips, and kissed my brow, and spoke their last and lingering farewells in my ears.
Meanwhile a strange faintness seized me, destroying my consciousness. My next
sensation was altogether beyond description: it was a thrill of a new and celestial
existence. I was in Heaven!
After the first feeling of surprise occasioned by this sudden translation had somewhat
subsided, I looked around me, and took in the situation. It was delightful beyond
anything of earth; and yet some of the more beautiful sounds and feelings and scenes
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 5
of the world I had just left appeared to be reproduced in my new experience after an
enchanting fashion.
Still, I am constrained to say no human eye ever beheld such beauty, no earthly ear
ever heard such music, no human heart ever experienced such ecstasy as it was my
privilege to see and hear and feel during the first hours I spent in the celestial country.
Above me was the loveliest of blue skies. Around me was an atmosphere so balmy
that it made my whole physical frame vibrate with pleasure. By the bank of roses, on
which I found myself reposing, there flowed the clearest and purest of rivers, which
seemed to dance with delight to the murmurings of its own waters. The trees that
grew on its banks were covered with the greenest foliage, and laden with most
delicious fruit, sweet to my taste beyond all earthly sweetness. By lifting my hand I
could pluck and eat the fruit to my heart's delight. In every direction, above and
around, the air was not only laden with the richest of odours yielded by the loveliest of
flowers, but rendered vocal with sweetest sounds, and filled with fairest forms.
Floating about me were beautiful beings, whom I felt by instinct were angels and
archangels, seraph and seraphim, cherub and cherubim, together with the bloodwashed and perfected saints who had come from the world below, sometimes far
away and sometimes drawing nearer. The blue sky appeared at times to be full of
white-winged, happy, worshipping, joyous beings, while the whole country —
apparently of limitless extent — seemed to be filled with a blissful ecstasy that could
only be realised by being experienced.
My sensations may, perhaps, be imagined. At first I was swallowed up with a sort of
rapturous intoxication, which was immensely enhanced by the blessed consciousness
that I was securely landed in Heaven — that I was safe, and should suffer no more.
"Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in."
And then, strange to say, a new set of feelings began to creep over me. Marvellous as
it may appear, I felt somewhat solitary and not a little sad, even in the midst of this
infinitude of felicity; for, up to this moment, I was alone. Not one of the happy beings
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 6
who were soaring and singing in the bright ether above me, or who were hastening
hither and thither, each intent upon the performance of some high mission, had as yet
approached or spoken to me.
I was alone in Heaven! And then, in a still further and yet more mysterious way, I felt in
myself a sort of unfitness for the society of these pure beings who were sailing around
me in such indescribable loveliness.
And yet, how could this be? Had I come there uninvited, or by mistake? Was I not
counted worthy of being a partaker of this glorious inheritance? I was bewildered. It
was indeed a mystery.
My thoughts went back to earth, and, as though by an angel's hand, the history of my
past life was unrolled before my eyes. What a record it was! At the first glance I
seemed to be able to take in the substance and meaning of my entire earthly career,
becoming at the same time strangely conscious of a marvelous quickening of my
intellectual powers, realising that I could, in a moment, take in what would have
required a day to understand with my poor, darkened faculties when on the earth.
With my quickened mind I saw, to my delight, at that very first glance, that this register
of my earthly existence — this supernatural biography — contained no record of any of
my misdeeds before my conversion: indeed, that part of my life appeared to be very
much a blank. Neither was there any mention, to my utmost satisfaction, of the sins I
had committed since that time. It was as though some friendly hand had gone
through the roll, and with kindly labour blotted out the record of all the evil doings of
my human life.
Now this was very gratifying. I felt like shouting "Hallelujah!" over and over again — in
fact, I made some attempt to do so; and well I might, for was I not delivered, through
the mercy of Jesus Christ, from the pain of having these things eternally staring me in
the face in this beautiful holy land, among all these holy beings where, it seemed to
me, that the very memory of sin would defile ?
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 7
Nevertheless, a second glance at my roll appalled me, for, while the evil things I had
done were omitted, it revealed the kind of life required from me by the light I had
enjoyed, and the opportunities with which I had been favoured. Nay, the revelation
went much deeper, for it described in detail the objects which had influenced me
during my earthly career. It set forth the purpose for which my thoughts and feelings
and activities had been mainly spent, and brought forth the ends for which I had
employed my time, my money, my influence, and all the other talents and gifts with
which God had entrusted me to use for His glory and the salvation of men.
Every chapter of this roll carried back my thoughts to the condition of the world I had
left; and while I mused on it there came up before my eyes such a graphic picture of
its hatred of God, its rejection of Christ, its terrible wicked ness, with all the wretched
ness, destitution, and abominations flowing out of this state of things as appalled me.
As this part of my vision passed before my wondering eyes there came into my ears
such a hurricane of cursing and blasphemy, and such wild wails of anguish and woe,
as almost stunned me. It was a terrible recollection!
I had often seen these sights, and heard these sounds, when on the earth; not too
often, it is true, for I had hid myself from them; but, oh! they blinded and stupefied me
now, for they appeared to indicate a condition a million times blacker and viler, more
wretched and piteous than they had seemed when on the earth.
I felt like putting my hands before my eyes, and my fingers in my ears, to shut this
hideous apparition out from sight and hearing, so intensely real and present did they
seem. They wrung my soul with sorrow and self-reproach; for alongside these horrid
recollections, the “roll of memory," at which I had just glanced, showed me how I had
occupied myself during the few years which I had been allowed to live amidst all these
miseries, after Jesus Christ had called me to be His soldier, and to fight for Him.
I was reminded how, instead of fighting His battles, saving souls by bringing them to
His feet, and so preparing them for admission to this lovely place, I had been intent on
earthly things, selfishly seeking my own carnal interests, worrying about my own
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 8
personal cares and anxieties, and spending my life in practical unbelief, disloyalty, and
dis obedience to all my most sacred obligations.
I must say again I felt horror-stricken. Oh! if only at that moment I could have crept out
of that "land of pure delight," about which I had sung so much in the past, and gone
back to the world of darkness, sin, and misery, which I had just left; that I might spend
another lifetime fighting for my Lord, combating these evils, and striving to save the
sufferers, by poverty and cross-bearing, how gladly I should have done so. But that
could not be. I was a fixture. I was in Heaven. Heaven must be my abode for ever; and,
contradictory as it may seem, this thought filled my soul with unutterable regret.
And then came another thought, wilder than all that had gone before it. (You must not
forget that it is a vision I am relating.) The thought was this: would it be possible for
me to obtain a commission, or rather a permission, to go back to the world, to that
very part of it from which I had come, clothed in some h u man form, and live my life
over again; live it in a manner worthy of my profession, my Christ, and my opportunity.
Could this be?
At that moment, if an answer in the affirmative had been brought me, I would have
willingly forfeited my heavenly blessed ness, I would gladly have undergone ages of
hard ship, ignominy, poverty, and pain. I would have given a million of money — nay,
a world — had it been mine to give. But I could see no hope of such a second
probation. What was to be done?
I had not been musing thus many seconds — for thoughts appeared to flow with
remarkable rapidity, as I have said, in this new world — when, quick as a lightning flash,
one of these bright inhabitants whom I had watched floating far off in the clouds of
glory, descended and stood before my astonished gaze.
I can never forget the feelings with which this apparition inspired me. Describe the
shape and features and bearing of this noble form I cannot, and I will not attempt to
do so. He was at the same time human, and yet angelic; earthly, and yet celestial. I
discerned at a glance that he was one of the blood-washed multitude who had come
out of the great tribulations of earth. I not only judged this from his majestic
Visions — In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 9
appearance, but from an inward instinct that the being before me was a man, a
redeemed and glorified man.
He looked at me, and I could not help but return his gaze; in fact, his eyes compelled
me; and in doing so I confess to being ravished with his beauty. I could never have
believed the human face divine could have been made to bear so grand a stamp of
dignity and charm.
But far beyond the entrancing loveliness of those celestial features was the expression
that beamed through every lineament of that countenance, and shone through the
eyes that were gazing upon me. Those eyes appeared to me, moreover, as sunlit
windows through which I could see right into the depths of the pure and benevolent
soul within.
I do not know how I appeared to my beautiful visitor. I knew not what form I bore, for I
had not as yet beheld myself mirrored since I had exchanged mortality for immortality.
Nevertheless, I evidently had a deep interest for him, an interest that seemed of a
saddening nature, for his features appeared to grow almost sorrowful as I stood there
with my eyes fixed on him by a fascinating spell.
He spoke first. Had he not done so, I could never have summoned courage to address
him. His voice was soft and musical. I understood him almost before I heard his words,
although I cannot now tell what language he used. I suppose it was the universal
language of Heaven.
He informed me that my advent was known throughout a certain district of the
celestial region, where were gathered the ransomed spirits who had come from the
very neighbourhood in which I had formerly resided. The tidings of my arrival had
been flashed through the heavenly telephone of that particular district. My name had
been whispered on every hill-side, and echoed in every valley; had been breathed
from every tree and flower; had been sounded forth at every turn of the Golden
Street; had been articulated in every room of every mansion, and proclaimed from
every tower and pinnacle of the stupendous temple in which these glorified saints,
day and night, present their worship to the Great Father.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 10
All who had known me on earth; all who had any knowledge of my family; my
opportunities for helping on the Kingdom of Christ, whom they worshipped and
adored, were burning to see me, and to hear me tell of the victories I had won, and
the souls I had blessed when on earth, and all were specially anxious to hear if I had
been the means of bringing salvation to the loved ones they had left behind.
As all this was poured into my soul by my visitor, I knew not which way to look. Again
and again I remembered my life of ease and comfort. What could I say? How could I
appear with the record of my life before these waiting spirits? What was there in it
better than a long-drawn story of self-gratification? I had no martyr experiences to
recount. I had sacrificed nothing for His dear sake worth naming on earth, much less
worthy of being published in Heaven.
My mind was running in this direction, when I think my visitor must have discerned
what I was thinking about, and felt some pity for me, seeing that he spoke again: —
“Where you find yourself,” he said, “is not actually Heaven, but only one of its
forecourts. Presently the Lord Himself, with a procession of His chosen ones, will
come to take you into the City itself, where you will reside, if He deems you worthy;
that is, if your service on the battlefield below has pleased Him.
“Meanwhile I have obtained permission to come and speak to you concerning a soul,
who, I understand, lives near your late residence, and in whom I feel a deep interest.
Our knowledge of the transactions of earth is, for our own sakes, very limited, but now
and then we are permitted to get a glimpse of what is passing there. Can you," he
said, looking at me with an unspeakable longing, “tell me anything of my son? He was
my only son. I loved him dearly — loved him too much. I spoiled him when a child. He
had his own way. He grew up wilful, passionate, and disobedient. My example
helped him not;” and here a cloud for a moment settled upon that beautiful brow, but
vanished as quickly as it came.
“Memory has been busy of late with that melancholy chapter of my life," he said, as
though talking to himself; and then he returned to the story of his prodigal son.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 11
“I myself, through the instrumentality of The Salvation Army, was rescued from a life of
sin and shame, washed, regenerated, taught to fight for souls, and had the high
privilege of winning many to the bloodstained banner of the Cross. An accident,
however, suddenly overtook me while at my employment, and as suddenly swung me
into Heaven; and now," he added, "where is my boy? Oh! give me some tidings of my
boy. He lived near you, I believe. He had business dealings with you. Is he saved?
What did you do for him? Is there any hope? Tell me what his feelings to my Lord
were when you last spoke to him!"
He ceased speaking. My heart sunk within me. What could I say?
I knew the boy. The story of the father's death and his prodigal son had been told me,
and yet I had never addressed one serious word to the young man about his soul, or
about his Saviour. I had been busy with other things. And now what could I say to his
father as he stood there before me? I was dumb!
The cloud I had noticed before gathered again on the face of my visitor, only with a
darker shadow this time. He must have guessed it all. He looked at me with a glance,
which expressed the disappointment to himself and the pity for me which he evidently
felt. Then he turned from me, and, suddenly spreading forth his white wings, he
soared away out of my sight.
I was so intently gazing on the receding form of my visitor that I failed to notice a
second glorified being had occupied his place.
I turned and looked upon the new-comer. It was a spirit of the same order, belonging
to the ransomed multitude who were once dwellers on the earth. There was the same
dignity of bearing, the same marvellous expression of inward power, and purity, and
joy; but in this case these graces were combined with a beauty of a more delicate and
enthralling mould. Divinely fair as I though t my first visitor, more beautiful than any
conception or dream of earth could be, yet here was a beauty that surpassed it. My
former visitor, I have said, bore the form of a glorified man; this was evidently the form
of a glorified woman.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 12
I had, when on earth, sometimes wished that I could have looked upon Eve in the hour
when, young and pure and beautiful, she came forth from the hands of her Maker, and
had imagined something of what her lovely figure must have been on that bridal
morning, bearing as she did the fair image of her Creator, and being, perhaps, the
most marvellous work of God.
Now here I saw Eve reproduced before my eyes, clothed in immortal youth, as pure,
as beautiful, nay, more so than her first mother could possibly have been; for was not
this the Divine Master's finished workmanship?
But I was soon awakened from my reverie by the voice of the fair creature, who, from
her manner, evidently wished to speak to me on some matter of great importance.
She introduced herself somewhat after the fashion of my previous interrogator; she,
too, had come from the very same neighbourhood where I had lived so long.
She told me her name. I had heard it before. She was a widow, who had struggled
with great difficulties. Her husband's death had been her life. Converted at his grave,
she had given herself up unreservedly to fight for the Lord. Her children had been her
first care. They had all been converted and entered the battlefield, except one.
That unsaved one was a girl, who had been her mother's delight. She had grown up
lovely in form, the village pride; but, alas! had gone astray. It was the old story of
wrong and seduction and cruel abandonment, with all the consequent train of
miseries. The mention of that name brought a similar saddening cloud over her lovely
face to that which had dimmed the bright visage of my first visitor; but, as in his case,
the cloud vanished almost as soon as it appeared.
I listened to the story as it came from this mother's heart. I had heard something of the
painful incident when on earth; but I had turned my ear away from it as being no
concern of mine. Little did I ever think I was going to be confronted with it in Heaven.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 13
And now the bright spirit turned on me those beautiful eyes, gleaming with love and
pity, and spoke again: "My daughter lived near you; you know her. What have you
done for her? Have you saved my child?"
At this I must have cried out in agony. I know I put my hands before my eyes, for I
could no longer bear to meet her glance. How long she continued to look on me
with her powerful, piercing, pitying eyes I know not; but when I withdrew my hand she
was gone, and the silvery sheen of her dazzling wings marked her out to my searching
gaze like a speck on the distant blue.
Again I gasped out, "Oh! my God! is this Heaven? Will these interrogations go on
forever? Will the meanness and selfishness of my past life, with all their sad
consequences — from which I had hoped forever to have got away in this country —
haunt me every day and every hour throughout the coming eternity? What shall I do?
Can I not go back to earth, and do something to redeem myself from this wretched
sense of unworthiness? Would it be possible for me to live my life over again?"
This question had hardly passed through my mind when there came another rush of
wings, and down beside me alighted another form, resembling the first that had
spoken to me; and yet, oh! so different. But I will not stay to describe him. You must
imagine him. His introduction was much the same, but his story was different. He had
been a great sinner, but had been awakened and won to Christ by The Salvation Army
a short time back, and had joined its ranks. Much forgiven, he had loved much. All his
desire when on earth was to get free from the entanglements of business, and devote
himself, as a Salvation Army Officer, to the work of saving men.
When just about to realise his wish, he had been sent for to Heaven; and here he was
a spirit of glory and joy coming to enquire from me concerning the Corps in which he
had been a Soldier, and of the crowd of unconverted companions he had left behind.
Did I know his old Corps? he asked. Their Hall was close by my house of business. Had
I helped them in their struggle with difficulties? Had I done anything for his old mates,
who were drinking, and cursing, and fighting their way to hell? He had died with
prayers for them on his lips — had I done anything to stop them on their way to ruin?
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 14
To all this searching appeal, what could I say? I knew his Corps, but I had never given
them a word of encouragement. I knew the hovels in which his old mates lived, and
the drinking saloons in which they spent their money; but I had been too busy, or too
proud, or too shame-faced, to seek them out with the tidings of a Saviour's love.
Again I was speechless. He guessed my feelings, I suppose, compassionated me, and
left in sadness — at least in as much sadness as is possible in that happy land.
For myself I was in anguish, strange as it may appear, considering I was in Heaven. But
so it was, and wondering whether there was not some comfort for me, and
involuntarily looking round me, I saw, or thought I saw, a marvellous phenomenon on
the distant horizon. All that part of the heavens appeared to be filled with a brilliant
light, surpassing the blaze of a thousand suns at noonday; and yet there was no
oppressive glare rendering it difficult to the gaze, as is the case with our own sun
when he shines in his midday glory.
Here was a brilliance far surpassing anything that can be imagined; and yet but for my
recent experiences I should have looked upon it with indescribable delight. As I gazed
and wondered what it could mean it appeared to move a little closer, and I perceived
clearly that it was coming in the direction of the spot on which I stood; for I had not
left the banks of the beautiful river where I first found myself.
And now I could distinctly hear the sound of music. The distance was a great many
miles according to the measure of earth, but the atmosphere was so clear, and I
found my eyesight so strong, that I could readily discern with the naked eye objects
which on earth would have required a powerful telescope to see.
The sound came nearer. It was music beyond question, and such music as I had never
heard before. But there was a strange commingling of other sounds, which altogether
made an entrancing melody, composed, as I afterwards discovered, of the strains that
came forth from a multitude of musicians mingled with the shouts and songs that
proceeded from innumerable voices.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 15
Gradually the rapturous hosts drew nearer — rapidly, I might have said, but that my
curiosity was so strongly aroused to know what it signified that a few minutes seemed
an age.
At length I was able to comprehend the marvellous sight that approached me. But
who could describe it? The whole firmament was filled, as it were, with innumerable
forms of beauty and dignity, far surpassing those with whom I had already made an
acquaintance. Here evidently was a representative portion of the aristocracy of
Heaven accompanying its King, who, as my first visitor had informed me, was coming
to welcome into the Heaven of heavens those who had fought a good fight, who had
kept the faith, and who had overcome in the conflict, as He had overcome.
I stood transfixed with awe and wonder.
Could it be possible? Was I at last actually going to see my Lord, and be welcomed by
Him? In the thought of this rapture I forgot the sorrow which, only a moment before,
had reigned in my heart, and my whole nature swelled with expectation and delight.
And now the procession was upon me!
I had seen some of the pageants of earth — displays that required the power of mighty
monarchs and the stored wealth of prosperous nations to create— but those when
contrasted with the scene that now spread itself before my wondering eyes, were
each, or all combined, as the gleam of a feeble rush-light to the blaze of a tropical sun.
I have to say of this, as I have already said of other scenes that have passed before me,
I cannot attempt a description. It would be impossible. Moreover, I was spectacle was
to my eyes simply one vast sea of glory, and to my ears an overwhelming rush of
harmony.
But on the procession came: and as it neared me I fell prostrate before it. What
wonderful beings these heavenly spirits appeared! each one looking in himself, to my
poor untutored eyes, like a god, so far as greatness and power could be expressed by
the outward appearance of any creature.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 16
Rank after rank passed me by, each spirit turning his eye upon me, or seeming to do
so, and to everyone I could not help feeling that I was somewhat an object of pity.
Perhaps it was my own feelings that made me imagine this; but it certainly appeared
to me as though these noble beings regarded me as a craven, cowardly soul, who had
only cared for my own interests on earth, and had only been induced to come up
there from similar selfish motives.
However, onward the mighty cavalcade swept.
I have said "cavalcade," for while part of the procession filled the heavens with their
shining wings, and another part walked with upright mien, the picture of dignity
itself, there was a host, as imposing as any, or more so, mounted upon the most
beautiful white horses, more beautiful than ever were beheld by any human eye.
On they came!
Thousands passed me, yet there appeared no diminution of the numbers yet to come.
I looked at the train as it stretched backwards, but my eye could see no end to it.
There must have been millions upon millions of spirits. It was indeed “a multitude
that no man could number.”
All this mighty host were praising God, either in hymns expressive of adoration and
worship, or by recounting, in songs of rapture, the triumphant victories gained on
earth in the name of Calvary's Prince, or in describing some of the wonderful works
of Jehovah in other parts of the vast empire.
And now the great central glory and attraction of this stupendous procession was at
hand. I gathered this from the still more dignified character of the beings who came
marching past, by the heavier crash of the music, and the louder shouts of exultation
which came pealing forth from all around.
I was right; and before I could prepare my spirit for the rapturous vision of the King,
the King was here!
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 17
The procession halted, and at the word of command in an instant formed up in three
sides of a square in front of me, the King standing in the centre immediately opposite
to the spot where I had prostrated myself. In the midst of these circling hosts, rising,
tier above tier, high into the blue vault above, each gazing upon Him with eyes
lustrous with the love they bore Him, I beheld the celestial form of the God-Man who
once died for me upon the cross.
What a sight that was! Surely, it was worth toiling a lifetime to behold. Nearest to the
King were the patriarchs and apostles of ancient times. Next to these worthies, rank
after rank, came the holy martyrs who had died for Him.
Then followed the army of warriors who had fought for Him in every part of the world;
while around and about, above and below, were myriads and myriads of spirits
redeemed from the earth who, although never heard of outside their own
neighbourhood, or beyond their own time, had with self-denying zeal and untiring toil
laboured to extend God's Kingdom and to save the souls of men.
Then, circling the gorgeous scene, was an innumerable host of angelic beings who
had kept their first estate, proud, it seemed to me, to minister to the happiness and
exaltation of the soldier saints who had faithfully lived and died for their Lord in the
poor world from whence I came.
I was bewildered by the spectacle. The songs, the music, the shouts of the multitude,
like the roar of a thousand cataracts, echoed and re-echoed through the sunlit
mountains, and the magnificent and endless array of happy spirits ravished my senses
with unspeakable delight.
All at once, however, I recollected myself, and bethought me of the High Presence
before whom I was bowed; and lifting up my eyes, I beheld Him gazing upon me.
What a look that was!
It was not pain, and yet it was not pleasure. It was not anger, and yet it was not
approval. Anyway, I felt that in that countenance, so transcendentally admirable and
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 18
glorious, there was yet no welcome for me. I had read this in the faces of my previous
visitors; I read it again in the face of my Lord. That face, that Divine face, seemed to
say to me — for language was not needed to indicate what His feelings towards me
were — “You will find yourself little in harmony with those who were once the
companions of My tribulation, and are now partakers of My glory, who counted not
their lives dear unto them in order that they might bring honour to Me and salvation to
men." And as He spoke, He waved His hand, and gave a look of loving admiration at
the host of apostles, martyrs, and warriors gathered around Him.
Oh, that look of Jesus! I felt that it would be worth dying a hundred deaths at the
stake, or being torn asunder by wild beasts, to gain one such loving recognition. The
angelic escort felt it too, for their responsive burst of praise and song shook the very
ground on which I lay and the vaulted skies above my head.
Then the King turned His eyes on me again. How I wished that some mountain would
fall upon me, and hide me for ever from His presence. But I wished in vain.
Some invisible and irresistible force compelled me to look up, and His eyes met mine
once more. I felt, rather than heard Him say to me, in words that engraved themselves
in living fire upon my excited brain: "Go back to earth. You shall have another
opportunity; and if you prove yourself worthy of My name, and show to the world that
you possess My Spirit, by doing My work, and by making yourself a saviour of men,
you shall return hither, and I will give you a place in My conquering train, and a share
in My everlasting glory."
What I felt under that look and those words, nor heart nor mind could possibly
conceive, nor tongue nor pen could ever describe. They were mingled feelings. First
came the unutterable anguish arising out of a full realisation of a wasted life, a life
squandered on the paltry ambitions and trifling pleasures of earth, which might have
been filled with deeds that would have produced a never-ending harvest of celestial
fruit, won for me the approval of Heaven's King, and made me worthy to be the
companion of these glorified heroes.
Visions —
In Heaven, But Not of Heaven 19
But, combined with this self-reproach, there was also a gleam of hope. My soul's
desire to return to earth was to be gratified.
Perhaps it was in response to the longings which I had felt ever since the
consciousness of my earthly failures had dawned upon me, that this favour was to be
granted me. I should have the privilege of living my life over again. True, it was a
huge responsibility; but my Lord would be with me, and His Spirit would qualify me
for my task. I embraced the opportunity with all my heart.
And then I closed my eyes, and gave myself over, body, soul, and spirit, to live, and
fight, and die, not for my own salvation, but for the glory of Christ, and the salvation of
men.
The King spoke again, this time pledging His word that His presence should go with
me back to earth, and make me more than conqueror through His blood.
And with the joy of this assurance I awoke. The crowd of shining ones had vanished.
The music was silent, and behold it was all a dream.
By: William Booth
When I first read this vision I was stunned and shaken with the fear of the Lord. I felt I had missed the mark consistently in my walk with God. It had always been there in the scriptures, but I had not wanted to see it. I was called to deeper service than I had first truly realized. This vision that William Booth saw helped me to understand that I was called to get involved in people's lives and minister to them more thoroughly with the love of Jesus. I hope it has inspired you to take your service to the Lord more seriously. God bless you!
