Have you ever been to "Heaven" and seen "Jesus Christ," in person? Have you ever thought of the possibility that some of us, perhaps someone you've passed on the streets or in the grocery store, may have been to Heaven and back?! Really?
Ok, really. Please approach this subject with a humble heart. If not, don't read this. As I share this real story to you, all I ask is to please try to hold back your criticisms and skepticism and just simply enjoy. It is encouraging to know that some of us have made extraordinary decisions to walk the hard road for the sake of Christ. It is not to their own glories and claims or to boast of what they have seen, but, it is for the love of Christ and the love for those who have yet to have the privilege of dwelling in God's loving embrace that they have chosen to share this story. The author has given me permission to share her story with you. Her name is Joyce, and this is her story:
She had been struggling with a life threatening disease for the last 10 years. This disease constantly attacks her heart, her lungs, her kidneys, her skin, her bone marrow, her muscles... and is unusually aggressive. She has not had much of remission between episodes of acute exacerbations. Three years ago, her disease over took her and won. She was shipped to the hospital and then pronouced to be 'expired.' She was medically dead with no pulse and no heart activity.
Up until this point in her life, she had been a faithful worker for God's kingdom and a faithful Christian. She also served as a teacher to kids with special-needs. Life had been very challenging with her ever declining disease. However, through all this, she was joyous. She loves Jesus and she was sure to share some of that love with everyone around her.
So, once her body died, as she described vividly, her soul and spirit left the body. She remembered looking back as she rose toward Heaven, looking at her body laying in the hospital bed, surrounded by friends and family... sobbing. She saw that many in the hospital room were people who have not yet experienced God's love and haven't had the chance to make a decision to receive Christ's gift of Grace. As she rose, she now noticed that she was being lifted to Heaven by 2 angles, one on each side, holding her arms. At the same time, her memories of everything that had ever happened to her from birth to the moment she died were presented to her like a video right in front of her eyes. (To this date, she can describe to you in detail what happened during those years; it's almost like she had photographic memory of everything that had ever happened to her, because she was shown everything. If you've met her during that time, she could tell you what you were wearing, what you guys were talking about, and many other things to incredible details.)
When she reached Heaven, she saw that the entired city, as described by the Apotle John in Revelation 21, glowed. There were no light source, the entire city had windows and gems as diamonds on the walls that were incredibly bright. The entire place was grand, beautiful, and brilliant. Then, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her in long brilliant robe... She was not able to see His face, because it was too brilliant... She recognized His voice and He said this to her, (paraphrase) "Joyce, you see, I've brought you to a place without tears, without sickness, without pain and sorrows, and have given you a perfect body that's incorruptable." But, as she looked back down to her hospital room, she said to Jesus, "But, there are so many people who may not get to know You!" She made her decision, though it would be perfect to stay, but, she knows she would be back soon. As she inhaled a deep breath, her soul and spirit went right back into her body and she awoke.
I ask her, did Jesus send you back to us with a mission? She said no. But, she did say that since she had seen Christ, she has had interesting visions of how God is going to do His work through her. Praise God for people like Joyce, who deeply loves those who God loves, especially those unreached. We don't talk about these incredible story for the sake of boasting. No, no, no. God's incredible works and unique experiences are meant to edify the Church. This is an encouragement that God is ever present with us. That as we ask for His 'spiritual eyes' to see spiritual things, we would appreciate what is important in life! Folks, if you think that you can place trust in your senses, (what you see is what you get), then you are missing most of this life! In fact, as divine paradox would expound, "Truth" lies deeper than what's obvious. Don't be fooled by the obvious!
As I pondered on what I just received, I was reminded of Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. He wrote the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Holy Bible on the exile island of Patmos when he was 92. As I read of his description of Heavn detailed in Revelation 21, my curiousity went wild. I would've loved to take a lawn chair and sit on top of one of the gates in the Heavenly citadel and simple observe every little detail of the city and wave hi to the saints that are passing by. I would also love to lay in my lazy-boy recliner with Jesus and have Him explain to me of all the wisdom in how He designed the city... I would also love to meet Father Abraham, King David and his 30 mighty warriors, and all the beautiful saints...
Then my mind shifts to feeling sad for those who I know I may not see there... loved ones I know, perhaps family, perhaps friends, perhaps those I passed in the streets or helped at the hospital. The reality is that I may not see some of those I cared about in Heaven... As I read Revelation 21, this worry of mine became a reality. Like Joyce, we each are given a special and unique story to tell. Our story is like all other stories told in the Bible. There is a 'before Christ,' 'how Christ met us,' and 'after Christ.' Do you have a story to tell?! Please pray for God to give you wisdom, then tell it!
After all, as we read Revelation 21, though nearly 2000 years apart, the story of Joyce and Apostle John are curiously familiar:
"10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."
If you have questions, there is only one place to find answers! Pick up the Bible and start reading in the Gospel according to John, the 4th book in the New Testament. Don't ignore the tickle in your heart, your mind wants to know!
One last plug, it was amazing to get a glimpse into what happens after death, however, please keep in mind that Joyce is very much in the middle of her struggles each day. Please remember to lift her up in your prayers. May God's beautiful childrens come together to support and encourage one another! I will do the same.
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