Your First Day in Heaven!

 

In praying about what to write today, the Lord reminded me of how weary His Bride is and how we all feel a little depressed about the state of the world. He wanted me to remind you to be strong, and that your strength doesn't come from you but from Him. AND from His Joy.  What is Joy? It is not happiness, which is fleeting and depends on circumstance. Joy is a deep inner peace, hope, and faith in the One Who loves us more than we know. Joy doesn't depend on circumstances or wealth or health or anything this world has to offer. Joy comes only from the Lord. 

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

 

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit which grows in us as we walk with Jesus. That joy, then becomes our strength. 

 

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

 

Hence, I thought that today we'd take a glimpse into our future (our soon future) and keep our thoughts off of this evil world and on the inheritance which waits for us! Most of these observations come from people of God who have visited heaven  in visions and dreams. Other things come directly from Scripture. Be blessed and realize that soon, you will experience these things, and they will be much better than my silly words here can describe.

 

The Shofar blows, the Rapture occurs. You find yourself standing on a cloud with thousands and hundreds of thousands of people. Everyone is touching their bodies, looks of shock and joy on their faces. They can't believe they are no longer old, wrinkled, in pain, or tired. Those who were sick in bed are completely healthy. Those who were bent with age are young, strong, and beautiful. Those with missing limbs have them again! Those long since dead have new bodies! You look around at all the people. Everyone is laughing, smiling, hugging each other. Everyone is praising Jesus. 

 

Then, you hear His voice. You know His voice because you are His sheep, and His sheep follow His voice. You rush toward Him, waiting your turn to bow at His feet. You finally reach Him. He smiles and lovingly touches your face. The unique and intense love in His eyes for you causes you to fall at His feet, crying. He gently lifts you up and embraces you so tight, you are overwhelmed with joy. "Welcome home, beloved one. I've been waiting for you." You feel as though you have finally come home. You are safe and loved. You never want to leave, but others need their hug too.

 

You are led upward now. You can fly! It takes awhile to get used to, but you finally land in a massive field of grass and flowers waving in a gentle wind, lifting their leaves and petals in praise. You hear music coming from the flowers as they sing to God, the most beautiful sound you've ever heard.

 

A city of light sits on a hill in the distance. Family members who have gone before you rush toward you from that city. Laughing and giggling, they embrace you. Beloved pets who died come bouncing over the field and into your arms. You are so filled with joy, you feel about to burst

 Angels appear, assigned to each family and person. They lead you into the heavenly city. It is the largest city you have every seen and more beautiful than anyone could imagine. The streets are gold, the buildings made of sparkling crystal. Glistening steams flow everywhere. People are walking about going about their business as they would on any city street, laughing and talking, eating at restaurants, visiting stores. You are amazed at how normal it feels, yet so unlike anything you've experienced. There are layers of streets and houses that go up as far as you can see. Trees with delicious-looking fruit are everywhere, along with exotic flowers you've never seen. There's a scent, sweet and pure that fills the air and a gentle sound of music that puts you at ease.

 

Your house is perfectly designed for your tastes and desires. You can hardly believe how wonderful it is. But you can't stay long. You've been summoned to the throne room. Something amazing is about to happen. Instantly you are there. Millions of people surround you. You strain to get a glimpse, but the light coming from the throne blinds you. The Apostle John's description of the place could not compare with the sight before you. A mighty sea of crystalline glass spreads from the throne. Four blazing lamp stands are perched around it. You want to fall on your knees and worship, but music starts and a heavenly choir begins to praise Almighty God. You know the words and join in. How, you have no idea. The sound swirls around you and takes on a life of its own.  The throne pulsates in every color of the rainbow. Four strange creatures whirl about singing "Holy, Holy, Holy". Thousands of angels spread back in rows as far as your eye can see. The scene overwhelms you. 

 

Then all becomes quiet. A hush settles over the crowd. A hand emerges from the light of the throne, a scroll in its grip.  A booming voice thunders through the room.

"Who is worthy to open the Scroll and break its seals?"

Silence reigns. In the distance, someone weeps. You remember this scene from the Bible. Your heart races. You search the throne for a glimpse of Him. There he is, emerging from the light, Jesus! He extends His hands where the nails had been, shows His feet where the wounds remained. His visage transforms from a lamb to a lion then back to Jesus Himself. He takes the scroll from His Father.

The room erupts in praise! Twenty-four elders come forward with harps in their hands and bowls of incense and fall prostrate before Jesus. Then the four living creatures, the elders, the angels and all the saints sing a new song.

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

The sound is amazing. Everyone is in tune. Everyone is shouting praise until the entire throne room rocks and is filled with light and the sweet smell of incense. You are so excited, you can hardly stand in place. You want to run forward and embrace your Savior, but you know now is not the time. 

The worship goes on for quite a while. You never grow weary, and you are sad when it ends. But silence finally comes. Jesus takes the scroll and breaks the first seal. A deep voice booms from one of the four living creatures. "Come!" 

A white horse appears out of the smoke whose rider carries a bow; and a crown of victory is given to him, and he rides forth conquering and to conquer.

The Antichrist.

 

The Tribulation on earth has begun. Your heart sinks for a moment as you remember those you left behind, but then a voice emanates from the throne. 

 

"Never fear, beloved ones, I have heard your prayers. All things will work together for good, for you chose to love Me and you answered My call and served my purposes on earth. Therefore, enter into your rest. Now go, prepare yourself for the wedding of the lamb and the great feast!"

 

Excitement buzzes through you! A wedding! A feast! Everyone disperses to their homes to prepare, chattering, laughing, rejoicing. You want to pinch yourself to make sure you aren't dreaming. Are you finally here? With Jesus, forever? You gather your family members and head home, singing praises to the Lamb and filled with great anticipation for a wonderful eternity with your Savior and with Father God!

 

Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer exist anything that is cursed because sin and illness and death are gone; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him with great awe and joy and loving devotion. They will be privileged to see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  And there will no longer be night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign as kings forever and ever.  Revelation 22:1-5  AMP

 

 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.....

 

“Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.