John the beloved watched from Patmos shore
The prisoning sea receding wave by wave.
Then he perceived the "sea" should be "no more."
No more its bitter turbulence should lave
The lonely isle of human consciousness.
John saw the ebbing tide of mortal thought.
Sin, sorrow, death, and pain should not oppress
The ransomed of the Lord, whom Christ had bought
With all-embracing love. And then he saw
In vision widening to infinity
The operation of God's perfect law
Bestowing bliss and immortality:
A city, now descending like a bride,
Within whose light man ever shall abide.
