  Almost all the twelve disciples were killed by wicked men at last. When Peter was old, some wicked men crucified him, because he loved Jesus. Now he is in heaven with Jesus, clothed in a white robe, and all his tears wiped away. His dear Lord Jesus is always near him, and this makes him happy. John lived till he was very, very old, indeed. A wicked king caught him, and put him into a country far away from his friends: there was water all round, so that he could not get away. Was John unhappy there? No; God was with him, and John loved to think of the Father, and of his Son Jesus. It was Sunday, and John was thinking of God, when he heard a voice behind him, like the noise of a trumpet, very loud indeed. He turned round to see who it was; and whom do you think he saw? The Lord Jesus come down from heaven, all glorious and shining! When John saw him, he could not speak or stand; he was afraid, and he fell down on the ground, as if he were dead. But Jesus touched him with his hand and said, Fear not; I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Then Jesus took John up into heaven, and an angel showed him most beautiful things. John saw a throne on which God sat. There was a rainbow round the throne. There were a great many seats, and men sitting on them, clothed in white, with crowns of gold on their heads. The men took off their crowns, and threw them down before the throne and praised Jesus, the Lamb of God. John saw a great many angels, more than he could count, standing round the throne, singing praises to the Lamb. But of all the things John saw in heaven, there was nothing so glorious as God himself. In heaven there is no sun, nor moon, nor candle, nor lamp. Yet it is always light, because God shines more brightly than the sun. The music of harps and sweet singing are always to be heard; for all the angels can sing the praises of God. John wondered at the things he saw and heard; and he fell down at the feet of the angel who had shown them to him. But the angel said, You must not worship me; I am only a servant of God: you must worship God. Then the angel went on speaking and said, Jesus will soon come down from heaven to judge the world. He will open the gates of heaven to let those people in who mind God’s word; but those who tell lies, and do wicked things, shall be shut out. All people who love Jesus wish him to come again in the clouds. Do you wish to see Jesus, my little children? Then you may answer, Even so; come, Lord Jesus. I hope that when you die your spirit will go to Jesus, and that when Jesus comes again, he will bring you with him. John wrote down in a book the things he had seen in heaven. All that John wrote is in the Bible. At last John died, and his soul went to God. He When John was by the angel led To the bright world on high, He saw what joys await the dead When up to heaven they fly. He saw them round the Father’s throne, Gazing upon his face, Singing to harps of sweetest tone The praises of his grace. He saw them clothed in robes of white, Such as the angels wear, Shining like stars of morning bright, And like the angels fair. He saw the city where they dwelt; (Whose praises can’t be told); The walls of precious stones were built, The streets were purest gold. He saw the Lamb whose blood was spill’d, To give his people rest: With his bright beams the place was filled, And every heart was blest. Charm’d with the sight, John bent his knee Before that angel fair, Who said, “Thou must not worship me; To God address thy prayer.” |
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