One Day...And I Don't Think it Will Be Long

In the Book of Hebrews, just after chapter 11 where we see testimonies of all the Great Heroes of the Faith, and reminders of how they obeyed God, even through great peril and persecution... and in Chapter 12 verses 1-2 we read this:

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I want you to try to imagine what it's going to be like, Friends. One day...you close your eyes for the last time on this earth, and the very next thing that happens when you open them again is you see this huge welcoming committee. And though you have never met them personally, you know instinctively who these people are. You look to your right, and there is Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...and then you look to your left, and there is Peter, James and John. And then this lone face stands out in the crowd, and you realize that you are staring right into the face of Paul, the great Apostle. And all around you are Moses, Noah, and all the prophets of old...hundreds and thousands of people who have gone before you in the Love of God. You are astonished because you have tried to imagine what this day would be like for years, and now here you are in the very presence of all these great men and women of God...and they are all there for one purpose...to welcome you home. What a sight! 

And then, when you are feeling overwhelmed and you think you just can't take any more glory...you see Jesus step out of the crowd. Jesus...your Savior and Lord...the One Who died in your place so that you could be there right now experiencing this amazing event. He is glowing as the Sun as He speaks so tenderly to you, "Welcome Home My Child." And beyond Him, you see all your saved friends and loved ones...your mom, your dad, brothers and sisters, your best friend, your grandmother and grandfather ...everybody in your life who knew Jesus...and they are all there to welcome you home forever. 

 Friends...it's going to be more glorious than anything our hearts can imagine. Paul put it this way:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)