The promise of Scripture is that when a child of God passes from this world below, they are welcomed into the world above. Once they leave our presence, they enter into the presence of God. This is the hope that sustains every Child of God.
As we gather here today, I am happy to report that this one who has passed from among us was, indeed, a child of God. Knowing this to be true, we can find hope in the midst of our sorrow as we reflect on what they have experienced upon passing from this life into the next.
1. They have been received by the Lord.
Because they trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, we know that they are, even now, in His presence. You see heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and because they trusted Christ as their Savior, they were prepared to go. They had claimed the promise Jesus makes to all who believe on Him when He said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:1-3.
Jesus have come to receive them "unto Himself." They are, even now, in His presence. Because they had prepared themselves, they have now gone to that place that Jesus had prepared for them!
They have heard the words of the Savior, "Come, ye blessed of my Fa ther, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."- Matthew 25:34. Just think ...
... Of stepping on shore and finding it heaven, ... Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s hand, ... Of breathing in new air and finding it heavenly air, ... Of feeling invigorated and finding it immortality, . . . Of waking up and finding that you’re home!
That is exactly what they have experienced. They have been received by the Lord!
2. They have been rewarded by the Lord.
Because of their faithfulness to the Lord in this life, you can rest assured that they have been rewarded in the next life.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. " ~ Revelation 14:13.
How are they being rewarded?
A. The commendation of our Savior and Lord.
They have heard our Lord say to them, "Well done, good and faithful servant "
B. The congratulations of the saints above.
One by one they came, far as the eye could see,
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth, but in heaven now proclaimed.
I know that up in heaven you’re not supposed to cry,
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand. You stood before the Lord;
He said, "My child, look around you, for great is your reward. "
Thank you for giving to the Lord; I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord; lam so glad you gave.
C. The continuation of the saints below.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus. " ~ Hebrews 12:l-2a
Let us live in light of the legacy that has been left to us. They have now passed the baton on to us. May we run our race as well as they ran theirs.
3. They are now rejoicing in the Lord.
They have passed into that place where, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. " ~ Revelation 21:4.
There, in the presence of the Lord, they have joined with the saints above, along with the angels in glory in praising the King of kings and Lord of lords. They have joined in that great chorus, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." ~ Revelation 5:12.
Yes, they’ve gone to that beautiful city, That our Lord has prepared for His own, Where all the redeemed of all ages, Sing, "Glory!" around God’s great throne.
The Bible tells us that, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9; and that our God is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." ~ Ephesians 3:20.
No doubt, the joys of heaven far transcend anything we can possibly imagine here on earth!
Can this be death—
To be released from fear and sorrow,
From sickness, weariness and pain?
To be removed from sin’s enslavement,
From Satan’s influence and domain? Can this be death—
To be presented in His presence,
The One who loves me evermore?
To be accepted in the fullness
Of Christ, whom I adore? Can this be death—
To know complete fulfillment
As I look upon His face?
To feast upon the glories
And the riches of his grace? No, this is life—
With all that it can offer,
It is joy that overflows!
It is peace that knows no measure,
It is victory, for evermore!
