Heaven, How Amazing Is It? Part 1 of "Heaven and Hell"ናሙና
Will I miss loved ones?
“The Lord is not slow concerning His promise … but He is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Many Christians have friends or family who do not believe in Christ. If there is recognition in the afterlife, does that mean I will miss loved ones? This question hangs like a dark cloud over many a believer's life and can even get in the way of looking forward to eternal glory.
In Revelation 21:4 we read that God will wipe away our tears and that mourning, crying and pain will be things of the past. So we will have no sorrow for people we miss. This may sound heartless to you. Isn't it bad to have no sorrow for the terrible destiny of unbelievers?
If we do not care about that now, it is indeed wrong. God Himself wants all people to be saved: "He is patient with us and does not want that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Let us pray fervently for the salvation of our loved ones - for then we pray according to His will! Let’s make it a priority to invite people to follow Jesus.
God is a loving God. He gave everything to make sure that people could be saved - His beloved Son. And that Son will judge when He returns with glory (Matthew 25:31-32). Who can make that judgment better than He can? Who is able to weigh what is in a human heart better than Jesus?
For whose salvation are you praying?