Poof! Gone!!!

“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:40-42).

“I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left”(Luke 17:24-35).

Hey Gang:  Several nights ago I had a terrible and very frightening dream.  I was out in the woods working, came in for my afternoon coffee and one of Jean’s delicious snacks but when I got there I could not find her. I looked all over the house. No Jean. The car and truck were in the garage.  And there was no note on the refrigerator telling me where she had gone.

And as I ran to and fro in a nervous dither, the sweat rolling down my face, the above verses began to resonate in my mind.  When at the apex of my dream, I heard the door close and there was the bride of my youth who had taken a walk and stopped by the neighbors to swap stories. 

But the more I thought of that dream the more I felt God sent it to me for a purpose.  It has always amazed me that so few people have any comprehension of what that time referred to as the ‘hereafter’ really is.  When one looks at the context of our existence, we note that in reality we are just preparing ourselves for that period referred to as ‘eternity’ and this is but a proving ground for that experience. 

In the past several years, as I have moved beyond the ‘three-score and ten years referred to in the Word and into the older than dirt crowd, my mind has become more focused on learning all I can about that place called “heaven”, or as Jesus referred to it on the cross as ‘paradise’.  On my book shelf there are seven books that focus on heaven.  It seems there is a growing interest in heaven, for I notice the area on the book shelves reserved for books on heaven has grown significantly in the past years. 

My favorite was written by Judson Cornwall, an old country pastor that I had the privilege of sitting under his teachings on several occasions.   He brought out an amazing point that I believe is- oh so true today- most folks believe in hell, but does anyone still believe in heaven?    When was the last time you heard someone say, “He was one heaven of a man?  Judson pointed out in God’s great love for His children He used no less than seven words in the Bible, especially in the New Testament to say that heaven is indeed a place of habitation.

I do not believe there is a more frightening verse in the Bible than Rev. 20:15: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  The fabulous part of that verse is the “if”.  It is God’s desire that none perish, but all must choose to have their name recorded in His book of life. (2 Pet.3:9).

I tend to think of those who read these ‘morning thoughts from gramps’ are part of the choir whose names are securely recorded in the Lamb’s book, but each day we cross paths with many who are not. The wonderful part of the story is – the story does not end with Rev 20: 15; it is followed by the fabulous description of what awaits those whose names are listed the ‘Lambs Book of Life’.

Peter closes his second letter with a warning: “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen and Amen” (2 Pet. 17-18).

So, my young friends, Pray today that God will send you a person who needs to hear the wondrous story of Yeshua, God’s gift to all who choose to accept Him as Savior and Lord.   

Blessings,

Gramps