There is no time in Heaven. In God they see
Time as a point; in His Eternity
Time, that is changeless in intensity;
For death and change are swallowed equally
In that all-thrilling sight of Deity.
The Eleven are there: one still is missing. He
The last remaining Witness who shall see
At Patmos- though in chains - in ecstasy
The Vision of the End, when closed shall be
The Revelation of Man's destiny.
For still the Sixth Day shines: in which will be
Fulfilled the work of God's Activity.
Heaven for the Saints is Rest; yet verily,
It is the Rest of changeless entity -
Nor yet the Sabbath of God's Rest, to be.
For Jesus reigns, and gathers ceaselessly
His children of all times - and mightily
Worketh the Holy Ghost whose ways we see
Are secret as the wind. For cometh He
And goeth, as He willeth, noiselessly.
The Kingdom cometh not 'till all shall be
Accomplished; and that hour alone knows He
Who knows as God, God's secrets. Verily,
Sigh Earth and Hell, 'Thy Kingdom come,' to be
Responded to in Heaven - adoringly.
Thus roll the years; while persecutions be
The watchword of the Kingdom's purity,
The threshing-floor on which the Martyrs see
The glory of their calling. Blood must be
The sign portentous of their Victory.
The Kingdom gathers strength; and righteously
Its Saints and Doctors work; while heresy
Finds everywhere discomfiture. For see,
Around them stand Death's Conquerors, who be
More than a match for Satan's policy.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote