Open the Pearly Gates

“The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”—Revelation 21:21

A vivid description and powerful image adapted by people of all backgrounds, it is a vision of Heaven as a place with streets paved with pure gold, guarded by the pearly gates.

This was an important image for Fredrick Blom. Born in Sweden, Blom immigrated to America. Even though he was a pastor, he fell into sin and was sent to prison. There, he had time to think about life, and after leaving, got his life right with God. He put his thoughts in writing with a hymn called “He the Pearly Gates Will Open.”

Grasping what it meant to be forgiven, he wrote, “Love divine, so great, wondrous, deep, mighty, pure, and sublime! Coming from the heart of Jesus, just the same through tests of time.” Blom described how Jesus would open those pearly gates, so he could enter, “for He purchased my redemption and forgave me all my sin.”

Blom described how he had been “like a dove when hunted.” He was frightened like a “wounded fawn” and “brokenhearted.” Yet Jesus had saved him and promised to respond to his cries.

Blom had experienced “His power to save.” He was so grateful that he would “sing His praise forever.” Approaching the end of life, he pictured those pearly gates, confident that “by the precious love of Jesus I shall enter.”

Jesus offers everyone that same freedom and forgiveness. Trust Him today, confident that you will enter Heaven.

Reflection Question: What do you imagine Heaven will look like when you arrive?