It was a typical morning. I woke up, had my daily dose of caffeine, and opened my email. That’s when I learned that my friend Anna had passed away the night before. I can’t ever recall being so happy for someone who had just died.
You see, Anna was an active elderly woman who longed for “her graduation”. Many people focus on the “here and now”, but Anna looked forward to the future – as she couldn’t wait to see her redeemer face-to- face.
I remember sitting down with Anna one afternoon, opening our bibles, and trying to envision the graduation scenes described in Ezekiel and Revelation.
There in front of me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. The one who sat there shone like jasper and ruby. Around the throne was a rainbow shining like an emerald. Twenty-four other thrones surrounded that throne. Twenty-four elders were sitting on them. Revelation 4:2-4 (NIRV)
Now above the dome there was something that looked like a throne. It looked like a sapphire gem. And on the throne was a shape like a human. Then I noticed that from the waist up the shape looked like glowing medal with fire inside. From the waist down it looked like fire, and a bright light was all around. The surrounding glow looked like the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. It seemed to look like the glory of the LORD. Ezekiel 1:26-28 (NCV)
Does the description of God and the throne room excite you? Does it make your heart pound? An emerald rainbow, a sapphire throne, and dazzling display of lights and colors – all reflecting the presence of the Lord.
I could only imagine what Anna is seeing, hearing, and feeling. Perhaps, she has a permanent ear-to- ear smile on her face? Maybe, she’s lying face down on the ground – overwhelmed by the glory and majesty of her maker. I wonder if being in the presence of the Lord will be anything like we envision?
I miss my dear friend. I know, however, that I will see her again. Until that time, a couple of her favorite scriptures will provide great comfort to me:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end he will stand on the earth. Though my skin will be destroyed, in my body I’ll still see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes. I’ll see him, and he won’t be a stranger to me. How my heart longs for that day! Job 19:25-27 (NIRV)
Reflection…
Do you have a heart for eternity?
Are you looking forward to the future – like Anna did?
If you would like to learn more about spending eternity with God, check out my book Rediscovering the Divine: Seeing God in a Whole New Way.
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