Article: The day he wakes up on that shore | Vineetha John
“So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15: 42-45
Fears and questions about death are natural. Expected or unexpected, young or old, human lives impact loved ones in one way or the other. Unlike those who die without believing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, a child of God has greater hope that his end is certain and his destiny with His Creator. Death is not a punishment for him, but a gateway of endless joy (Charles Spurgeon).
The day when his name is in the obituary, the day his dear ones stay at the coffin in grief and pain, he would rather wish to console them, but be in a better place. He reached home! Heaven was more than he ever dreamt off.
Being received by the angels of heaven, captivated by the glory of that beautiful shore, he awakens to begin his new journey. In awe, he stands in that place of divine presence. A city of foursquare he enters where there is no pain, tears or sorrows. No more sickness, debts or crisis. A day when all the questions of “WHY LORD?” would be answered! He stands no more as a failure but an overcomer of the wiles of the enemy. The earthly suit of weakness is gone forever and he puts on the glorious heavenly robe with confidence, joy and peace to its fullest. Gates of precious stones, streets of gold, rivers of living water, tree of life, saints from all nations, tongue and tribe all in worship…
He declares his fortune as he walks into the arms of Jesus. The hands that once created him in his mother’s womb, the same hands which were pierced for his deadly sins which were like scarlet to wash him white as snow, hold him. He realizes by grace he was redeemed and restored, called and chosen by the true God himself, who gave everything for this precious moment. His heart would bounce this song:
“Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?”
While on the earth, he saw the sun giving light, now he sees the Son Jesus (Savior of mankind) shining gloriously walking with him, seeing Him face to face. What was denied to Moses that he saw only the back of God, the holy priest that he could experience once a year, Aaron to put holy garments and washed himself in water before entering God’s presence (Lev 16:3,4), the child of God having the righteous robe of salvation, washed by the precious blood of the Lamb, will have the perfect fellowship and communion with Jesus that beautiful day. When the Israelites witnessed the power of God in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, Aaron saw in the cloud of incense covering the mercy seat in the tabernacle, he will be privileged to see face to face. He will bear God’s name and reign with God forever. No more thoughts of heaven, but all in reality as he is being received and called “Good and faithful servant” entering into the eternal joy.
Many surprises- with people, family members, fellow believers whom he knows. Some are there, some not. He realizes the earthly things he focused on were in vain, but thought that he prepared a worth-more for the kingdom he reached. Thoughts that he worked a step forward with sincere efforts to advance the gospel, to forgive more deeply those who hurt, to have prayed more earnestly and loved God further, watching those differing in splendor and glory. Yet he receives the crown of righteousness for he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept his faith for an eternity with Jesus! The day he realized and cast away all fears of death and embraced the true meaning of “to die is gain” (Phil 1:21-23), to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than the life on the earth.
-ADVERTISEMENT-