The Encyclopedia of Heaven by Miriam Van Scott

Author:Miriam Van Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466891180
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Sheet music from a hymn about Jesus Christ’s arrival in paradise

In America, lyrical interpretations of paradise often reflected social conflicts. The Civil War led to the writing of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which equates the wartime violence of Union troops with the “second coming” of JESUS, an event prophesied in REVELATION. According to the lyrics, “mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” to destroy the wicked (slave owners) and escort the blessed (northern troops) to heaven. The very institution of slavery likewise produced a deluge of spirituals, songs written and sung by the oppressed slaves and their descendants anticipating justice in the world to come. Victims of this Supreme Court–sanctioned atrocity looked toward a utopia where all people would indeed be considered equal. Until the Dred Scott decision was overturned, death was the only thing most black Americans had to look forward to.

Since dying meant finding freedom, the notion of heaven became a popular topic for musical speculation. The song “Sit Down” describes a newly arrived soul’s excitement at entering the HEREAFTER. Its lyrics tell of a man so entranced by the lovely SAINTS and beautiful ANGELS that he is unable to sit still. His celestial welcomers encourage him to relax, but all the happy spirit wants to do is “to look around.” The verses ask and answer a variety of questions, ranging from inquiries about biblical heroes to a request for a meeting with the Almighty. Another traditional spiritual, “God’s Trombones,” describes Jesus sending Death down from heaven on a winged stallion to fetch the souls of the saved into paradise.

Other American hymns about the afterlife seek to translate the concept of eternity into more mainstream terms. The perennial favorite “Amazing Grace” attempts to convey the vast sense of eternal life. Its lyrics explain that “when we’ve been there ten thousand years” we still have “no less days” to worship the Almighty “than when we first begun.”

Some songs anticipate specific pleasures of paradise, such as “Yes, I Shall Arise,” which describes the BEATIFIC VISION. The words of this hymn joyously describe the long-awaited time when “I shall gaze upon the loveliness of God forever more.” Similar songs express elation at the prospect of dwelling with the saints, angels, and the VIRGIN MARY, mother of Christ.

Perhaps the most common theme relating to Christian paradise is the sense of “coming home.” Many Christians look forward to a grand REUNION in heaven with lost loved ones. This sentiment is reflected in hundreds of hymns. “Out of Darkness” proclaims that the Almighty loves “to take His people home” where believers will be “claimed by Christ as God’s own.” The time-honored classic “Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past” echoes this belief, calling the divine realm “our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home” where the blessed will live forever in harmony.

Because of their allusion to heaven, hymns are frequently used as background music for films about the afterlife. Examples range from the poignant classic the

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