Living On the Cusp of Eternity (2)

 

 

When I write that Joe and I talk about dying, I should make clear that we are talking about life beyond death, death is a portal through which we pass, it is putting off our temporal tent so that we may be clothed with our eternal tent in Christ.

 

Hebrews Chapter 11 plays a big role in my anticipation and vision of eternity. I see myself as a fellow pilgrim, along with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, looking for that City whose Builder and Maker is God. Hebrews 11 and Revelation 21 and 22 are melded together in my heart and mind, I “see” them, I sense them, I often feel them pressing upon me and enveloping me. There are those I have known, and still know in a mystical fashion, who have gone before me, yet they are still with me in a way which can’t be described, I think any attempt at description might be profane and unlawful – too holy.

I am reminded that in The Pilgrim’s Progress Christian and Hopeful crossed the river together, and that Hopeful was encouraging to Christian through the transition. I don’t know who will be with me when I enter that river, but I am assured that should there be no one on this earth who can be with me, that our dear Lord Jesus will ensure that I am not alone, no doubt friends who have gone before, who are now numbered with that great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), will walk with me through the transition…and to those who doubt, I simply say, “Why not?”

 

Do we not look forward to being with friends? Especially friends who we have not seen for many years? Do we not desire to share good news with our friends? What greater news could we share than the news of that City and of our dear Lord Jesus and Father who are the light of that City? Do not our friends who have gone before us yearn to share with us the riches of glory which we all have in our Lord Jesus? If those who have gone before were good friends in this life, how much greater friends will they be in our eternal home? Can we begin to imagine the glory of friendship that is unencumbered by the frailty and sin which we have endured in these earthly bodies?

 

Here are excerpts from The Pilgrim’s Progress, this occurs after Christan and Hopeful have crossed the river:

 

“There came out also at this time to meet them several of the King’s trumpeters, clothed in white and shining raiment, who, with melodious noises and loud, made even the heavens to echo with their sound. These trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the world; and this they did with shouting and sound of trumpet.

 

“This done, they compassed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, and some on the left, (as it were to guard them through the upper regions,) continually sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes on high; so that the very sight was to them that could behold it as if heaven itself was come down to meet them.

 

“Thus, therefore, they walked on together; and, as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them. And now were these two men, as it were, in heaven, before they came to it, being swallowed up with the sight of angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes. Here also they had the city itself in view; and they thought they heard all the bells therein to ring, to welcome them thereto. But, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company, and that for ever and ever; oh, by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! Thus they came up to the gate.”

 

“Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honor. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the city rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, “enter ye into the joy of your lord.”

 

 I am looking forward to that City…what about you?