Thursday, December 26, 2024

Will You Be There?

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, 'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!'" Revelation 7:9-10

Do you ever wonder what Heaven will be like? Do you sometimes imagine the incredible awe of being in God's presence with all of His family? Recently while enjoying dinner with my son, his wife and their children, our little three-year-old grandson Matthew suddenly said, "Uncle Larry is with God." Uncle Larry went home to be with Jesus almost a year ago, but Matthew often asks after him and misses our times together. He then began to further elaborate, telling us how God is preparing a big house for him. He started to ask everyone around our table if we were each going to be at the house in Heaven with God. Thankfully everyone around our table that day could respond affirmatively. Matthew became very excited about everyone living together as a big, happy family!

In John's vision of Heaven, he writes about the diversity that will fill our eternal home as believers. The fulfillment of the Great Commission will be evidenced when every nation, tribe, people and language surround the throne in Heaven, worshipping and praising God. I think the closest we ever come to experiencing this on earth is at some of the larger evangelical rallies. The crowds that fill the stadiums are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and countries. Thousands of people from all walks of life come together for a common purpose. With the different expressions of worship, we enjoy the privilege of seeing the indescribable beauty of how other cultures convey their enjoyment in the Lord.

I am so very thankful that the local church of which I am a member is a multiethnic congregation. This really excites and prepares my heart for gathering at God's throne one day. Multitudes that no one can number will stand together praising the Lord from every country around the globe. There will be an uncommon unity, never experienced before, in its most perfect form. Our one goal will be to worship and proclaim, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!"

With a shared passion, those who have responded to Christ's invitation of salvation will all stand side by side, along with the angels, in the very presence of God to glorify Him. There is no other way to be part of this joyous time of celebration. Salvation comes from God alone through Christ alone. Acts 4:12 presents this message so clearly, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Heaven is the future home for those who have personally acknowledged their sins, sought forgiveness from the Lord, received Christ, and declared their decision to walk with God all the days of their life. There are only five more days in this calendar year, and you may have read the previous 360 writings as just pieces of literature, written by a friend, family member, acquaintance or stranger, remaining unmoved by the only message that will promise you everlasting life. You may have heard the gospel explained countless times and still resist or sit unchanged and unrepentant. Friend, today is the day. Do not delay this decision another moment. No one, except God, knows when our lives will come to an end. Just two days ago, a dear friend experienced an unexpected loss. Don't wait. Will you be part of the vast crowd, too great to count, dressed in white, waving palm branches in joyful recognition of our Saviour? I can not express it enough. There is no other way to Heaven. My longing is to see each one reading this in Heaven one day for all eternity. Please do not miss this opportunity to respond.

*For further conversation please email: joybells.brown@yahoo.com

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