Imagine Heaven 預覽

Ready for heaven
By Rev. Mark Bartsch, Chaplain 

People worry and fret a great deal about when they will take their last breaths. Some would like to find a “fountain of youth,” hoping to remain young so that they do not have to face death.

The thought of dying brings fear to many people. People are afraid of the unknown. You and I don’t know what it is like to die. You have heard people say “He died before his time” if the person died at a young age.  You might hear this comment made about a baby or a child who dies: “She never had a chance to live her life.”

God gives each of us a certain number of days to live, and then, we will die.  Moses wrote in Psalm 90, “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death – they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Simeon was privileged to know through the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen Jesus, his Savior.  In the temple courts, he had to be overflowing with excitement and anticipation. When Simeon took the baby in his arms, he said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.”  He was ready for heaven, ready to be with his Lord in glory.

Simeon went on to say, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.” Every day, our eyes can see God’s salvation. We, too, know the fulfillment of the promise.  Jesus, our Savior, was born. He lived for us, he died for us, and he rose again from death for our salvation. By faith, we are ready each day to go to be with our Savior. Death does not make us afraid. We will know then that the trials and troubles of this life will be over. We will be in the special place prepared for us in heaven. What joy will be ours! We are ready for heaven.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. You have forgiven our sins. You have taken away our fear of death. We now live in constant hope and anticipation as we await the coming of that great and glorious day. Keep us ever watchful for your return. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.