This was a savage land, a lonely land, yet here the foundations of our homes would be laid… We accepted the danger but took no unnecessary risk. It is a fool who invites trouble, a child who is reckless, for life holds risks enough without reaching out for more.”
–Louis L’Amour (Bendigo Shafter)
“Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.”
–Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (NASB)
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I wrote yesterday of the Rapture where those in Christ, both the dead and the living, will be caught up to meet with Jesus in the air. The first time we actually see Him with our transformed bodies will be at that meeting in the air.
To us, this is part of the mystery of the spiritual realm. I know that when a Christian dies their spirit or soul goes to be with the Lord. However, the body remains in the grave, waiting to be resurrected to join with the spirit. The complete person can now look upon God and His glory for we will have a new, glorified body.
We praise God as we sing about what those first moments in heaven will be like–“I Can Only Imagine.” This is a great song, but I wonder…for I read that after death–the Judgment. “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NASB). All believers, from the first mentioned martyr, Stephen, to the last to leave this earth will be standing at the Judgment Seat of Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NASB)
Now, I don’t want to get involved with metaphysical mysticism, I couldn’t even if I wanted to, but after death comes the judgment. Could it be, that when one dies time ceases to exist and they are thrust immediately to the judgment? Where is God? He is outside of time, He transcends time, He is omnipresent, therefore, He is already at the Judgment. Where is man’s spirit after he dies? Is the spirit just sitting around in heaven patiently waiting for his body to return? This is way beyond my feeble, pea-brain, but the first thing on the heavenly agenda after the Rapture is the Judgment of all believers. This judgment is not for sin, that was accomplished by Jesus on the cross, but this judgment is for what the believer has done–good or bad.
Following the Judgment, the wedding bells will sound. Judgment is over, it is time for the marriage. A feast is prepared, and there has been much speculation on what it will be. Some have said manna, others say the meal of the Passover. Will it be Grandma’s biscuits ‘n’ gravy, or Annie’s apple pie? Is it symbolic? We have been fasting from the presence of Jesus and now we are with Him in His fullness. I believe some of what we eat will commemorate the Lord’s Supper, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29, NASB)
We know little about heaven. Paul said that it was unlawful for him to speak of it. Jesus was asked (John 3) to speak of heaven. (I think He chuckled) for he replied you can’t even understand the simple things of earth and you ask of heaven. Even John with his great revelation could not completely convey the concept of heaven to us. Those left on earth will face unleashed evil, depravity, chaos from the devil and the wrath of God. Yes, there will be judgment in heaven, but so feasting and praising. Choose…