Deep in the heart of my slumber one night
came a vision to remember, an incredible sight.
Was I asleep, was it a dream?
It was hard to tell, so real it did seem.
Did I die in bed, die in my sleep?
Would the good Lord, I pray, my soul to keep?
I stood outside gates that were made out of pearl,
Like nothing I’d seen way back in the world.
A great host of souls were milling about,
While a man with deep voice called folks’ names out.
One by one as they heard their names read,
They walked through the gates and by a great Light were led.
Joyous and happy, some skipped and some ran,
Into the beautiful city, into a wonderful land.
After quite a few names the man closed his book,
I said, “I think you missed me, you might need to re-look.”
“There’s no mistakes made in this place,”
He said with no hint of a smile on his face.
“This may be your first,” I said while hiding my dread,
“I think you’ve got me confused with another instead.
Cause I went to church every Sunday you see,
Dropped coins in the plate, I knew it wasn’t free.
I obeyed the commandments, not one but all ten,
I was a good father, and brother, and a wonderful friend.
I gave time and sweet money to those in dire need.
No one came to my house that I did not feed.
Now good as I am, is as good as it gets,
Can’t you remember, did you forget?”
“Silence!” he said, “you who were born into sin,
Did you think your works would let you come in?
Will a few drops of bleach change a bucket of dung?
Your heart’s full of evil as it spews from your tongue.
Your entrance was bought with an unspeakable price,
It cost God’s only Son no less than His life.
You had many chances while you walked on the earth
To receive His salvation, to receive a new birth.
But you did reject Him in your doubt and your pride,
Now you’ve nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
So go now at once to the place made for Satan,
Where God’s Love is removed and there nothing but hatin.”
I awoke from this dream with His word still in my ear,
I trembled and shook as I lay there in fear.
“Oh Jesus, come save me,” I cried out in the dark,
And at that very moment He entered my heart.
His grace and His mercy are all that I claim,
And in the great book of life, He’s written my name.
Tertius
“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,
but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20
A note about “Roll Call”: Everybody check their ticket to heaven. Better check twice who paid for it.