Sheep Heaven

This comes from a very dear friend of mine who self published a book. It's my favorite passage out of the book. It would be no exaggeration to say that without Jeremiah Cox's presence in the bleakest time of my life, I would not be here today. The book is called "Redesigning God." I'm not enlightened enough to really explain his philosopy, but this "parable" is awesome.

"My fantasy of the Last Judgment may not be as insane as it sounds. Occasionally, even a madman speaks the truth.

It begins in the traditional manner. God congratulates the sheep on inheriting heaven by their sheeplike behavior and promises them the goats will have hell to pay.

But after the sheep have skipped offstage to their eternal reward, God confirms His mutual understanding with the goats.

'Look fellows. Everything I said to the sheep is true. They are on the way to Paradise, but it's their kind of paradise, not yours. Sheep huddle together in flocks; they will follow anyone who walks upright; and they are sweet but timid little folk. they shall have a heaven appropriate to their temperament.

But you guys are the creatures truly of like mind with Myself. You go where the timid will not go; you are brazenly independent; you think for yourself; you wander off alone; and you are not afraid of heights.

I have always phrased my teaching for the sheep, because I knew you could figure it out for yourself. When I promised them I would send you guys to hell, I had to tell the truth. But it was hell as they understood the word. You are indeed going to sheep-hell; but sheep-hell is also goat-heaven.

Thank God--that would be Me--that you didn't follow their lead; for sheep-heaven, by definition, would be hell on a goat.'"

--Virgil