Greetings Saints and Friends,
​“Hello!” “Howdy!” “We’re here!” “I’ve been expecting you!” “Let’s go!” “Yes, let’s go! I knew it would be you guys or Jesus, Himself, coming to get me! Either way, I’ve been ready, watching and waiting!” “Jenny, you are actually one of the few Christians we did not surprise when we arrived to take you home to heaven.” “I can understand that, fellows. One of the blessings that God has given me is my Pastor. He teaches all of the Bible, including the angels’ role in our lives when it’s time to go home and be with Jesus. Though my health is frail and I have been bed-bound for some time, one of the many promises that has buoyed me up for so long is knowing heaven is my forever home because Jesus made it sure. And looking forward to my trip home is something I have only been able to imagine. On more than one occasion, I have read in Luke 16, where Jesus talks about a man named Lazarus. He was a poor, hungry beggar covered with sores. I’m sure he could have been bitter or angry about his position in life. Instead, Jesus highlights Lazarus’ faith in God, when He says that when Lazarus died, the angels came to get him. Jesus said angels took Lazarus to a place of comfort and blessedness. Do you angels happen to know the angels who transported Lazarus home?” “Jenny, we just happen to be the pair that escorted Lazarus to Paradise!” “My! Out of all the angels that must be transporting God’s children home every day, I have the privilege of meeting you!” “O Jenny, it is our great joy to carry out the will of God by bringing His children home to heaven.” “Do you angels know what became of the place called Paradise that people used to go to when they died?” “Yes, we certainly do. Paradise was a wonderful place of peace and comfort for God’s departed saints to be, while they were there. But it was just a temporary place to be until Jesus completed His work on the cross. While He was on the cross, one of the criminals trusted in Jesus as his Savior. He said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ Luke 23:42
We heard Jesus reply to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ Luke 23:43
When the repentant criminal and Jesus went to Paradise, they spent the least amount of time there than anyone else, because Jesus took Paradise and all the people from there to their permanent home in heaven.” “O yes! I remember now. The Apostle Paul, some years later, spoke about being caught up to the third heaven, where God dwells. And Paul said that is where Paradise is now. 2 Corinthians 12:4 When I try to picture what Paul must have seen and heard, it gives me goosebumps and puts a big smile on my face! I don’t know why so many people, who know and love the Lord, are still hanging on to this world. Maybe familiarity leads to complacency. I feel, unless someone is purposely looking forward to something so much better, they will settle for something less. I certainly agree with the Apostle Paul when he says, ‘This world is not my home. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.’ Philippians 3:20-21 Look! Here are those goosebumps, again!” “Jenny, you are a delightful lady! We are now going to take you and your bed-bound body home to heaven. And when we do, you are going to receive a body like the rest of the people in heaven. You will even see Lazarus. Of course, he will not have those old sores and you will not have your bed-sores, either!” “Yes, Jenny. And you are about to see all that the Apostle Paul saw, plus a whole lot more!” “Best of all, I’m going to see Jesus! Heavenly goosebumps – here I come! Let’s go, angels!”
​Whether you are bed-bound or super-abounding with physical life, what really matters is your spiritual life. Where will you be for eternity? It matters to God, and He has done all that is necessary for you to be with Him in heaven. Jesus said, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16 Tell Him, ‘Thank You, Jesus, for paying for my sins when You died for them and rose again. Knowing heaven is my home, I’ll be expecting my heavenly escort. Amen!’