Do you know there's a lovely phrase for death used throughout the Bible?
". . . he was gathered to his people . . ."
Abraham (Gen. 25:8), Isaac (Gen 35:29), Jacob (Gen. 49:29), Aaron ( Nu. 20:24), Moses (Nu. 31:2), a whole generation of Israel (Jg. 2:10), and Josiah (2 Ch. 34:28) were gathered to their people.
In our day, a man named Don Piper experienced being "gathered to his people" when he was pronounced dead at the scene of a car accident. In his book, "90 Minutes In Heaven," Mr. Piper described being greeted by a crowd of loving family and friends in a place of beautiful music, peace and brightness. The medical team that had checked his vital signs and found no pulse, heartbeat or breath were shocked when a pastor who was praying over Mr. Piper exclaimed that Mr. Piper was singing!
Have you wondered how your husband was gathered to his people? Who he has met in Heaven?
My first husband, Bruce, died unexpectedly. But in the months before he died he talked about Heaven and how he longed for it. He even planned who he wanted to meet! As a pastor, he wanted to trace his spiritual geneology all the way back to the men and women who followed Christ 2000 years ago! Who else but a pastor would think of that?
I'll bet he's still busy looking up all those folks.
I've also toyed with the idea that he's on some sort of heavenly welcome committee (although I'm sure there are NO committees in heaven! That'd make it hell, wouldn't it? LOL)
When I was grieving, though, it was sort of comforting to imagine him greeting and caring for people arrived in heaven--my daughter's miscarriages, my brother and his wife's stillborn baby, some friends, and my husband Tom's first wife, Marilyn. I'll bet Marilyn and Bruce have had some good laughs watching Tom and I . . .
And I've wondered who greeted Bruce when he arrived in heaven. Surely Grandma Bowman was excited to see him. She was a "Praise the Lord!" pistol of a person. But, oh, how she loved the Lord!-- all done up with her hair in a bun, no make-up and the strictest of clothing! Also my cousin's grandma, Grandma Broschka, who prayed every day for all of us "at Moody's" (Moody Bible Institute in Chicago). Plus many more . . .
What do you think about Heaven and the people there? Click on the comment line below or e-mail me at WCPlace@gmail.com to share your thoughts. ♥ ferree
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 (English Standard Version)
Monday, February 25, 2013
5 comments:
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In the weeks before he died my Ken was blessed (and thereby blessed me)with two distinct visits to heaven. He told of people he met there and Jesus Himself coming to greet him - exciting stuff!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Heaven the verse in Revelation 21:4 immediately comes to mind 'And God will wipe away every tear from there eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'
ReplyDeleteI also think of Jesus welcoming those who enter the gates of Heaven and spending time in His presence.
Karen
Actually, the above comment came from Karen, who emailed it in. Sorry for the confusion. I'm glad there won't be any mix ups in heaven! :)
ReplyDeleteFerree,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing about Heaven. You have expressed my thoughts exactly. I also like to think of my husband, Nate, as being on the "welcoming committee". He was such a loving, caring, warm, and welcoming person. He loved everyone, and others loved him too. He liked to walk around and check out every new place we visited. As a matter of fact, as a child his nickname was "Scooter". So, when my daughter and her cousin went to a concert after Nate had moved to heaven, and they heard an old song, "Why Don't You Sit Down, Servant? I can't sit down. I just got to heaven and I got to walk around." My daughter and her cousin looked at each other and immediately said that the song was a message from Nate. So, we like to think that he's in heaven walking around and showing off his mansion and going around looking at mansions of new arrivals. Someday, he will welcome me into glory.
You have helped me so much with your insights. I'm especially blessed by the way you spoke of your "other anniversary" and the comments you made in your message about Bruce welcoming your new husband to heaven. I'm getting a better understanding of the God-kind of love and the perfect love that exists in heaven where there can be no differences, so there can be no ill-will, jealousy etc. I had the erroneous impression that if a widowed person remarried that they had to "get over/let go"of their first spouse to make room for the new spouse. I hope I'm making this clear. I've found a new sense of freedom now, knowing that if God does send a husband to me that I don't have to just forget about Nate. Now, i can be more open to what ever God may have for me as I continue to move forward.
One more thing, I want to order your book. Please tell me how to order. I hope this is not too long. I think I'm just excited.
Blessings,
Louisa H.
Dear Louisa,
ReplyDeleteYour note was not too long, and I'm glad to hear about the excitement you feel when you think of heaven. You're so right about there being no jealousy there. And if God does send you a new husband, your love will not be divided between your two men. Love can only grow. It's like having another baby. With the first child you love them so much your heart will burst. But then comes another and you love them just as much, while still loving the first!
Thank you for wanting to order my book. I'll email you about how to pay with a check through the mail. But the quickest way to get it is simply to click where it says "BOOK SALE" here on the blog and use the Buy Now button. You do not need to set up a PayPal account to do it, just use a credit card. I'll get your order today and ship it either today or tomorrow. Thanks again.