The hope of eternal life is a beautiful blessing the Lord gives every believer. When I was seven years old, my grandmother died. I thought if something happened to me, my grandmother would greet me when I went to heaven. For me, Grandma would have been right next to Jesus in heaven. A child has a simple faith but is still comforted by the hope of eternal life.
As a pastor, I have been able to minister to several people during their last hours and observed the peace that comes over a child of God at this time. Paul wrote that the death of believers in Jesus is not to be feared. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.[1]
We Will Meet Again
As believers in Jesus, we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone to heaven. While we miss them dearly, we wait to be together again. As the years go by and loved ones depart for heaven’s gates, the days draw closer when we also will take that journey. On that day, we will see Jesus face to face and be reunited with all our loved ones who have died in the faith.
As Peter, James, and John were on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah appeared. Although Moses and Elijah had been deceased for centuries, the disciples quickly recognized them. Not only will we know loved ones who have gone to heaven, but we will somehow be able to identify people we had never seen before.
Heaven Will Be Beautiful
Paul tells us that heaven is beyond our imagination in beauty. 1 Corinthians 2:9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” [2] Although heaven will be beyond any beauty we could imagine, what makes it overwhelmingly beautiful is Jesus will be there.
As we embrace Jesus in heaven, his scars from the crucifixion will constantly remind us how we got there. One day, as believers in Jesus, you and I will experience heaven in person. We will feel the love of our Savior and all those there. The hope of heaven gives us renewed purpose for our life here. Wee need to be about God’s plan for our life as we live for Him.
To learn more about the hope of eternal life, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/live-with-commitment
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.