I
What is Heaven really like? Dare we explore the question?
Or is it disrespectful to make such a suggestion?
Now, God has blessed mankind with insatiable curiosity,
and therefore ‘tis proper to examine the philosophy
of eternal just reward for whom countless people pray,
who yearn to be with their God
on that fateful Judgment Day.

II
Let’s begin by examining death,
through eyes of those who don’t believe,
and then view the preposterous results
that such thinking can achieve.
Some people conclude that after death
one’s state is pure oblivion.
If such is true, then death for All is truly egalitarian.
All get like reward: devout, as well as killers
and other sorts of villain;
for that matter, all insects and fish and mammals
and entities reptilian.

III
Now, the Bible tells us that over animals
man has full dominion.
So likeness in death ‘tween animal and man
is false in my opinion.
Christians believe that man was created
for a nobler Godly purpose;
born with free will, we must avoid sin
for the harm it would encompass.
And in doing this, while loving God,
set ourselves apart from others
by embracing Jesus and his teachings
that all mankind are brothers.

IV
So it follows that by pursuing
that worshipful and recommended path
we improve our chances of Divine reward
in the Majestic Aftermath.
Jesus spoke so many times
about His Father enthroned above,
that we also, through good deeds and prayer,
could share His Godly Love.
The New Testament utters more than 80 times
the inspiring word: “Heaven”
in Matthew, Mark, and John, and many others -
the books total more than seven.

V
Yes, Heaven truly exists, if we believe the Holy Book.
So, “What is Heaven really like?” let’s take an inquiring look.
Is Heaven a physical place, just like an earthly countryside,
or is it a state of ecstatic bliss, as some have prophesied?
If a location, is it bright with floor of fluffy clouds,
just as many picture it, with robed and haloed crowds?

VI
Once we’re beyond St. Peter’s Gate, what is it we will find
besides the billions of people who left the Earth behind?
Is there a hierarchy - you know, God enthroned at the top,
then various tiers of angel lines,
providing lovely winged backdrop;
the lowest class being faithful souls
who faced the risks of life
with its temptations, pain and illnesses, misery and strife?

VII
Is Heaven full of brilliant light
and radiance brighter than the sun?
Will we be seated, or standing, or continually having fun?
We’ll need not concern ourselves
with satisfying worldly wants
like scratching an itch, or drinking,
or eating like bon vivants.
It does seem rather curious
that paradise could be like that;
perhaps it’s because we think in terms
of our earthly habitat.

VIII
My friends, we should not, I think,
envision Heaven in Earthly terms.
For if we do, then we lose sight
of the purpose that Faith affirms.
But it seems fair that there would be
varying levels of reward.
For do last-minute-saved souls compare
to those martyred for our Lord?
This is but one of many sacred mysteries
so far beyond our ken.
All who are redeemed will partake of Jesus’ love -
to this we say Amen.

IX
Christians labor hard to gain the opportunity
of securing entrance there,
to bask in the eternal grace of Jesus
and enjoy rapture beyond compare.
Things of value in our earthly past
are no longer needed now;
our happiness will be beyond these concerns,
this we know somehow.
Let us step back a bit
and reexamine these thoughts, seemly wise.
And ask: What is we would like to have
in a perfect paradise?

X
We want first of all, of course, reward -
to bask in Jesus’ grace.
For if that Blessing is not there ,’tis not a heavenly place.
And because, on Earth, we pray every day
for everlasting peace.
Surely, that will be part of the hereafter,
at the very, very least.
Then we should like to be in a place
far free from care and pain.
But that goes without saying; it’s expected in that Domain.

XI
I don’t know if feelings and emotions will even be allowed.
Except, of course, ample happiness
for the entire saintly crowd.
Certainly there will be gladness, and of sorrow not a trace.
It’s a promised land of Paradise as in no other place.
We’ll join angels with friends and family
in singing holy praise,
and to the Great Author of it all spirit
eyes will constant raise.

XII
Since hate and prejudice are there erased,
we’ll dwell with strangers, too.
All feelings will be divine-inspired, with Godly justice true.
Will Surprise be an allowed emotion
when we see unexpected sights,
such as people whom on Earth we ne’er believed
would achieve such lofty heights?
I imagine we’ll abide all things -
there will not ever be surprise.
Full knowledge and sublimation there will,
in happiness, be comprised.

XIII
Happiness - that state of being
to be achieved by immortal soul,
presented to us as a reward,
for earthly life in God’s control.
What will ordinary souls do there, with eternity ahead?
No doubt whatever the martyrs did
since their earthly blood was shed.
Time is of no importance there -
‘tis a concept unknown in paradise.
Heaven’s a perpetual state of ecstasy;
is that not enough precise?

XIV
Finally, I suppose we’d like to think that we’ll spend eternity
with our loved ones, as well as Jesus -
cherished friends and all family.
No earthly form can exist there,
it’s haven for the rewarded soul.
It may be smaller than an atom,
or larger than we can behold.
Heaven is surely there for the faithful -
a timeless place of last reward;
a Paradise for the souls of decent people
who earned that goal implored.

XV
It matters not that this pursuit of thought
we should now abandon,
For, asking “What is Heaven like?”
is not the important question.
Faith is the secret; we know the sole reward
we’ll be sure to gain,
and that is eternity with Jesus -
there’s nothing more we need explain.
Having satisfied ourselves about Heaven -
how about that other place?
In Hell, we know, there’ll be total absence of God
and infinite disgrace.

❀