Who Cares? "When The Saints Come Marching In"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

WHO CARES, “WHEN THE SAINTS COME MARCHING IN”?

After spending a weekend in New Orleans for my family reunion, I boarded a plane for Chicago. I remember thinking, if I never hear; “when the saints come marching in” again. It will be too soon! Marching into where, heaven? What would the angels be doing while we “strut our stuff ”? Stomping their feet and clapping, waving palm branches, standing and cheering the chorus? Th e lyrics and the thinking behind the song are ridiculous. Here’s why! At Job 38: 4 God asked: Where did you happen to be when I founded the earth?” Not only Job, but the entire human race did not exist. Nor would humans be created for another several Billion years. However in heaven, intelligent spirit creatures that already existed: “all the sons of God, began shouting in applause.” Job 38: 7

If the universe is ten to fifteen billion years old as some physicist estimate. Then the angels in heaven are at least that old. Probably, even much older. Intelligent creatures, think, compose, build, write, create, laugh, sing, and LEARN. How much knowledge would a 15 billion year old human have? What about a spirit creature, that never needed sleep? The expression: “I have forgotten more things than you know”. Would certainly apply in comparison to what an angel must know, versus a frail imperfect human. What could a mortal human being, possibly add to the knowledge, or life experience of any heavenly creature? We all understand, what the word senority means. “I was working here for 30 years, when you walked through the door!”

Can you Imagine a newly hired assembly-line worker, “marching” into General Motors? Would all the assembly lines in America, stop and admire this employee with zero senority? Some born again Christians seem to think, that experience is awaiting them in heaven. A big white float, with them riding down “Jesus Avenue”. All the angels waving and throwing confetti. When Billy Graham gets to heaven, will” all the sons of God [begin] shouting in applause”? I truly doubt it!. “Let’s all give a round of applause to this puny, sinful human born on earth a hour ago.!” Please stand while he comes “Marching In!” When Paul and Jan Crouch get to heaven, almighty God himself will be standing and cheering. Seriously though, you have to be terribly self-deceived or misled to think. Perfect creatures in heaven, are waiting for a bunch of “sinners” to come “marching In”. What, no senority position will be waiting for you? Mopping the floors, or cleaning the angels locker room? Absurd. Psalm 115: 16 states: “As regards the heavens, to Jehovah the heavens belong, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.” Oh, by the way. ‘The whole earth belongs to me [too]” Exodus 19: 5