I was saved on September 1st, 1968 when Jesus met me during the opening hymn of a crusade. He appeared in a brilliant blaze of light that seemed to bore right through me. That was my first divine encounter.
About eighteen months later, I received an electric shock, which should have killed me at my place of employment. The current was flowing from my right hand through my body and out through my left hand, burning a small pea-sized hole in the inner joint of my middle finger. My hand was closing tighter and tighter in an involuntary muscular contraction around the live terminal that had been accidentally exposed through a mechanical failure of the device on which I was working. I could feel the pulsating of the current supplied by the high voltage supply flowing through my chest and was thinking to myself, This is it. This is graduation day. I am coming home.
Suddenly, I was free. How this happened is still unknown to me as my assistant was too far away at that time to see everything that was happening, but he knew that something had indeed happened and continually looked intently at me in wonderment afterward.

That evening, I was preparing for bed and in a state of awed numbness. I felt elated. After all, my God delivered me from certain death, yet here I was without any side effects whatsoever. The experts told me that I should have received muscular or tissue damage that would have produced chest pains, if nothing else, but I had no pain… no headaches, no feelings whatsoever to indicate that I had just had such an experience.
The gaping hole burned into my right finger was not hurting and it had completely gone without a trace the following morning.

It was a crisp wintry evening as I sat on the floor with my back against the bed and my feet on the wall as I looked out the bedroom window into a cloudless sky. The sky was bright and the stars were twinkling brilliantly under that clear crisp sky, when I suddenly heard a strange noise that grew louder.
It was a whooshing sound and I could feel a breeze on my face, blowing past my ears, ruffling my hair, blowing onto my eyes and whistling past my ears. Suddenly, a tunnel shaped opening appeared in the sky, enveloping me. It disappeared into the distance high above me into a mere pinpoint as if the very sky opened itself up. This whooshing noise continued whilst I was being bodily lifted upwards and outwards out of my window into this tunnel.
Although the evening sky was naturally bright and the were stars twinkling brilliantly, the tunnel grew even lighter, almost dazzling bright. The stars disappeared inside this tunnel, although I could still see them outside the tunnel as I moved.
Lying on my back, I was moving at an astonishing speed upwards towards the pinpoint at the end of the tunnel.The motion was simply amazing and seemed to continue for a very long time but I really do not know how long it lasted. As I continued upwards, the end of this tunnel seemed to disappear, open out, or fade out into a wide expanse of sky. I call it sky, because there is no way I can describe it. It was like being in space with the stars surrounding me, but in the midst of this, there was an atmosphere and white clouds… brilliant white… dazzlingly bright and I was zooming towards them.

As I got closer, a gleaming white object appeared. It was immense, seemingly miles wide. It was a throne and had the appearance of gleaming white marble, yet seemed to pulsate with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors that emanated from within, yet surrounded it.

The geometric precision of this throne amazed me. It was perfectly straight, level and vertical. The right angles were perfect and the edges were so precise, they were almost razor sharp. The throne was reminiscent of those marble seats one sees in Roman or ancient Greek settings. It had shiny portions in the sides that were like mother of pearl and although I cannot honestly state that there were precious gems there, it gleamed, shimmered and sparkled brilliantly as if light was reflecting from them. It was dazzling.

As if shrouded in a cloud, or like a photograph that is slightly out of focus, a human shaped figure was sitting on this throne. I could not see this person clearly, almost as if not permitted to do so, but there was a definite impression of age… timeless age and a carriage of distinction like nothing I have experienced. Again, without being capable of seeing distinctly, he seemed to be garbed in a flowing white mantle with long sleeves and large cuffs.

Although this throne was miles wide and the person was the size of a very large man, he filled this throne. It was one thing that greatly impressed me.
The throne was huge in proportions… miles wide, yet this person completely filled it as he sat there in regal posture.I was still moving at astronomical speed towards this sight, in the middle of this brilliantly illuminated tunnel with the wind blowing in my face, ruffling my hair. The illumination in this tunnel was not by any artificial means. There were no lights as we understand them yet the whole opening was just lit up as if the light was alive. The stars were still visible as I continued my movement.
This person then leant slightly forwards and gestured with the right arm and hand towards me. I heard a voice within me that spoke words of comfort and reassurance that all was well and that I had a destiny and then suddenly there was one sudden large whoosh sound and I was back in my home again… in a different position that before.

My personal opinion is that this was the Great White Throne. I have no biblical proof in any way, but that is what my heart tells me. I do not hazard a guess as to who this person was, nor am I going to try to suggest anything, as I just do not know, but the experience has radically affected my life. I can close my eyes and think about it even now and see it again. One day, I will stand before the Great White Throne, but this time, I will see with open eyes, clothed in pure white linen, bowing in worship and adoration with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Will you?

For many people, Heaven is a place shrouded in mystery. It is an almost an unknown place… a dream land… a paradise that is without peer, or a place that exists merely in peoples’ imaginations… a fantasy land, or escapism from reality. It is more real than the world in which we live. It is a place that dreams are made of and it truly is a place that is without comparison.

You might not have visited there yet, or know much about it, other than what you read in books or in the bible.
You might not know anyone who has seen it and perhaps there are mere handfuls of people who have seen Heaven, but I have a feeling that this is going to change. We just cannot barge in to anyone’s home without invitation- that would be trespass and lead to problems with the law. Similarly, one cannot just arrive in Heaven, because it is a special place that is reserved for special people.

Going to church will not guarantee admission. Doing many good deeds will not open the door for you. Believing in God is no certainty either, because even the devil and evil spirits believe in God. They aren’t going there!
The people who will go there are those who are the redeemed of the Lord. Those blood washed believers, who are looking earnestly for the Bridegroom’s appearance, are the ones who will go. Those ones who are not foolish like the man who attended the wedding reception, but was not prepared, will go, but those who are clean, righteous and prepared will!

Oh, yes! Heaven is special.

This was the first mansion I saw and it was in the midst of a large property. It was surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens and the grass was GREEN... oh how green. The lawns were like a billiard table for smoothness, yet looked as if they grew that way naturally and never needing mowing. There was a tree-lined avenue sweeping in a perfectly straight line, before sweeping out into graceful curving arc around a mixture of formal and naturalized gardens. The trees were large and graceful, with rich and lush canopies that reached overhead as if touching each other. 

There were no flowers or fruit on these trees, but they were very stately and the leaves were a sort of heart shape. It was very pretty.

One thing that in noticed here, as with other times, was the absolute lack of untidiness. Not one fallen leaf or weed was on the ground. Not one twig or branch was out of place. There was no dust, no dryness and no smoke.I strolled down this tree-lined avenue and across the lawn, brushed the flowers and was stunned by the beauty with a kaleidoscope of colors that was almost dazzling.

It felt strange walking across the lawn because flowers were growing in the grass and I did not want to step on them accidentally. As I walked, the flowers seemed to turn to look at me. If it looked as if I was to accidentally step on one, it moved aside and then regained its original place once I had passed.The lawn was very thick, soft and spongy. It felt like walking on a waterbed (without the wave affect) or on thick sponge rubber, but was also firm underfoot so that I had something solid beneath me for stability.

Each time I took a step, it was effortless. It seemed as if I strode for a mile at a time with ease. On other occasions, it seemed that no matter how much I strode, I moved mere inches. It was as if my pace was deliberately measured and my being automatically accommodated the conditions.

The avenue wound through park like gardens and then widened as it approached the home. There was a fountain in front and the road went right through it, yet around on either side of it. Depending on the angle of view, the fountain was about seven feet tall and sat in the middle of a circular pond. Several plants that looked like waterlilies growing in it. Water cascaded down three circular fringed cups, one flowing into the other, before flowing into the pond. Strangely, from the sides, it looked like a natural waterfall. I just cannot explain it any other way.

The mansion was a gleaming white building that looked square shaped. The large trees grew up to the sides of the building, but not to the front. A large tree like a stately oak stood at each front corner and reached out as if cradling the corners of the home.

The home had two floors and was very high. The ceilings were at least 30 feet high, but it did not feel as if they towered overhead. There were columns or pillars- seven in all- in the front, extending from ground level up to the top level and then gracefully spread out into curving arches at the ceiling line.

The front entrance was very large, with wide inviting doors that had a stained (yet almost transparent) glass appearance as if ornately carved. The glass was sparkling and gleaming. On either side of the doorway was a glass frieze. When I walked up to the home, the doors opened by themselves and I entered inside, to see an amazing sight in front of me.

The floor had the appearance of solid white, textured marble, but there was a glimmer inside it. It too sparkled here and there and as I moved, the sparkles changed position.

An ornate staircase led from the middle of the lower floor to the top. It was made of a similar material to the floor, but there was a difference in the colors. A golden sheen was upon the staircase. Curving banisters started with a large sweeping curve were on each side of the staircase. The middles of the stair treads were carpeted with a purplish plush, rich looking carpet. This same carpet extended from the top of the stairs into the top floor. I did not go up to the top level. The Lord told me later that this was my town house.

I left this first home and walked into a country setting. It was a very strange sensation. It was as if I took only a few steps, but those steps took me miles into a country setting, which reminds me of the Canadian Rockies. There were forests and trees and I stood in front of a home that was snuggled into the scenery as if they were seamlessly melting into each other. It reminded me of the sort of log cabin one would see in a luxury tourist lodge or manor house. There were feature walls of stone, picturesque windows, rich looking timber and a crackling fireplace. It was not cold of course, thus not needing warmth, but that was the impression I received. The house was of secondary importance to me, because in the back yard was a tree… one very special tree.

The fruit tree:

In the middle of the back yard was a fruit tree. It has a perfectly straight trunk approximately 4 or 5 inches in diameter, that went vertically to a canopy of leaves that looked as if manicured like a topiary effect. The leaves had the overall shape of a football when viewed from the side, but perfectly circular when viewed from above. I did not look down on top of the setting to discover this, but I somehow just know that is a perfect circle. This canopy was a deep emerald green in color and high enough for me to walk underneath it, whilst being able to touch the leaves with my hand.

Hanging from perfectly straight stalks, each about the size of a drinking straw, were twelve fruit.Each fruit was the same shape as the foliage and small enough to fit neatly into the palm of my hand. They did not need to be picked as all I had to do was reach out and give one the slightest touch and withdraw my hand… and it came away into my hand. Immediately… another fully-grown fruit replaced the one just picked.The fruits had a color that I cannot properly describe. The flesh of the fruit was a greenish/yellow color likened to an avocado, yet at the same time, it took on a pinkish-reddish hue, almost like the flesh of a persimmon. To my knowledge, two vastly different colors like these just cannot co-exist without blending. They remained distinctly different and separate. It was most unusual.

What is even more unusual is this- the fruit does not have any skin! Neither does it have any seeds.

Eating it is also an experience. On placing one in my mouth, the thing melted. It just turned to juice. The fruit was very juicy and exceptionally sweet. It was a natural sweetness with fruity-honey sweetness and its taste lingered long afterwards. It was refreshing… very!

A pastor friend once asked me, “Are you trying to tell me that this was the tree of life”? I just do not know what this tree was and I am not going to try to hazard a guess. All that I know is that the tree was there. I ate one of the fruits and it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.The Lord said this was my Country House.

One day I was heading towards the beach a short distance from my home.
I honestly do not know if this incident was in vision form or in a literal experience, but I will share it here to fit in with the tenor of the page.
Suddenly it felt as if I was standing in front of a very tall building. It had to be at least 10 or 12 stories high, but I do not really know for certain precisely how high it was. I was far enough away to be able to see the complete building, but I was also right at the front entrance.
The building had differing heights and sizes of towers on the top and each one had a slightly different roof shape.
Closer analysis of this building revealed that it was composed of shiny, silken looking colors, like mother of pearl, with a kaleidoscope of pastel-like colors that one would see when looking at a rainbow.I never fully entered into this building, but did see massive staircases in the foyer area.
The Lord said that this too, was mine.Whenever I think of these things, I get emotional and excited, knowing that it will not be long before I return.
Please come with me.

Several years after my first visit, I had another visit, which was completely different to before.
This time, I found myself on what I can only describe as a winding country lane, but what a lane! It was gold… solid gold!

Until then, I merely gave mental assent to the scriptures that say Heaven is paved with streets of gold, but now I was standing on one.

Sometimes our human faculties cannot comprehend the enormity of it all and it stunned me. I felt breathless with awe and unable to say a word.The bible says that there was silence in Heaven for the space of about half an hour. I think that when we stand right there in front of Jesus… as he really is without that veil between us as there is at present… when we stand in front of the Throne of God in that amazing throne room and see the four and twenty elders casting their crowns at Jesus’ feet… we will be stunned. I mean... stunned and perhaps speechless.

Perhaps that is the silent pause scripture talks of.
If so, this will not last long, because there will there be some worship you've never experienced before. You had better get some practice in here, because worship there is full on. "Silent Prayer" and the like might have a place, but it is merely a very minute proportion of what real worship is about. God is not deaf. Neither is he nervous and the music, songs and worship there is uninhibited. There are no discordant notes or jarring sounds whatsoever. I like most forms of music and am a musician of sorts myself, but much of our Christian worship music is worldly. There is little difference between the worldly entertainment and some Christian entertainment, but in Heaven... my goodness... it is sweet, melodious, gentle, soothing, invigorating and more all at the same time.
One thing I noticed is that everything points to God. Everything gives Jesus glory... everything! All you have to do is whisper, “Hallelujah” and a crowd of people surrounds you for a worship session that lasts for hours on end… free, lavish, uninhibited, rejoicing and joyful beyond description.

One minute I was walking here on earth and the next step I took was on a gold street. It was in a flash… a twinkle of an eye. Just a whoosh and I was there.

This little country lane meandered around through what looked like an English countryside.
Gently undulating and rolling hills, babbling brooks that had effervescence in them like a sparkling drink and flowers galore that staggered the imagination.

As in my first visit, the range of types, shapes and colors was amazing. Flowers of every imaginable size and shape and color were there. The place was alive with them and as before, they seemed to watch me as I walked along. I suppose that if they had faces, then they would have been grinning… the happiness that was there filled the air. Speaking of air, I had no feeling of the need to breathe, but I must have been breathing, because the freshness was amazing. It was clean, crisp and pure… so much so, that it was invigorating. My whole system felt clean within and I felt so light.

It was as if I was strolling through a botanical garden. In the distance were groups of people. They looked radiant with joyful expressions on their faces. The sheer joy was so strong it was almost a physical feeling. Each one was dressed in a flowing white robe that covered them to the ground. I could see their feet protruding from underneath the hems as they walked without walking. I really cannot describe what it was like. It was more like gliding. Somehow, I think that was the way I moved, because it was so effortless.

Precious Gems:
I could see precious gems lying randomly on the roadside. Instead of pebbles or stones as we see here, there were emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds and other precious gems strewn along the way. Everywhere I looked was beauty. The place was bright, but there was no sun. There were flashes and twinkles of light everywhere. You see, there is no sun, or moon- no day or night in Heaven. God is the light and he casts no shadow. You will not see the smallest shadow there, not one, but everywhere is this wonderful light that is warming and makes you feel as if you are glowing inside.

As I wandered around, I saw other roads like the first one. Little paths; big roads; small roads- all made of gold. The streets are not paved with a coating, as we pave our roads with bitumen (blacktop). This gold is solid and pure. It needs no refining. It needs no polishing. It is like watching someone spray painting a car, starting with the base coat. They spray that color coat on, then add another coat and progressively build up layer after layer of the paint. As they reach close to the top, the paint is progressively thinned until clear coats are applied like transparent glass that reveals the color underneath. This is the way the gold streets seemed to me. It was meters thick.

The road I wandered on curved around to my left slightly as landscapers do with pathways in a garden, to hide the next feature until you suddenly see it open up before your eyes. It causes the visitor to wonder, “What is around that next corner”?

Diamonds as big as cars:
As I turned a corner like that, a most unusual garden sat there before me. Instead of flowers, there was a garden of precious stones.Like a rockery, gems of all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors adorned the setting and in their midst, slightly offset like a special plant or a special feature was... A DIAMOND… AS BIG AS A CAR! Wow! That caused me to suck my breath inwards. It will do that to you too and I hope that you will be ready for the day when we go.

A short distance further on, I came across a single tree that was in the midst of a beautiful grassy area. Again, the grass was the greenest I have ever seen. Beneath a blue sky that was the bluest I have ever seen, this tree stood there by itself.

As I walked up to it, I could see that it was no ordinary tree. It was tall enough for me to easily reach up with my arm and touch the leaves, but they were not leaves. Indeed the tree was not a normal tree, because it too was made of precious gems.

The trunk was smooth and straight and looked like a sapphire. The leaves were emeralds. There were no flowers or fruits on this tree. Diamonds adorned this tree and it twinkled and sparkled continually.

As I walked close enough to touch it, the tree called to me in the tiniest of voices, “Touch me. Touch me”. I did, with the gentlest of caresses and beautiful music emanated from this tree. It actually leaned towards me as I approached and then this glorious music, from completely unknown instruments came from it. I cried something like, “Ohhh… praise the Lord” and was immediately surrounded by a group of people who simply poured out adoration and love, crying, “Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb”. They were so joyful. As I said earlier, you dare not say, or perhaps even think one word like “Hallelujah” and next minute you can be caught up with singing and music and worship that defies description.

After that, I walked onwards until this meandering lane opened up into a broad road that disappeared into the distance. The further it went, the broader it became. Like a super freeway, it went straight ahead until it faded or blended seamlessly into a SEA OF GLASS. At least, it looked like glass, as it had a transparent appearance that turned again into that gold, as it grew deeper.

Across the distant, yet unseen shore, a brilliant blaze of light radiated upwards. Here on earth, we can see lights of a distant city shining upwards at night, but it was nothing like that. There were beams of light that seemed alive… moving… radiating upwards. In the middle of this light was a brilliant blaze that I could not look at. It was too dazzling. Somewhere in this light were geometrically patterned shapes, but I could not see them clearly enough to describe them. It makes me wonder if it was the New Jerusalem. One day I will find out for sure.

I turned and took one step and the next thing; I was walking on normal ground again. I did not see the Lord, but I know that he saw everything I did.

Since then, He has spoken to Marge and me simultaneously and when we were not together, saying that he is going to take us both up together soon and give us a conducted tour. He said that I would meet my mother again and meet my son Gary. I briefly saw them in vision form the night Gary died. Please see the page From the Gates of Hell to the Door of Splendor for this story (some readers will need a handkerchief), which has seen people saved just by reading it.

He told Marge that she will see her mother and that our mothers get on famously. Isn’t that wonderful? Dad is in Heaven, but that is all I know. I did not see him.

All that I have said is true! Have you been blessed by reading this so far? There is more!