Growing up in a Bible-believing church, I remember a strong emphasis being placed on the Second Coming of Christ. Today, among many believers, the fervor for Heaven has been replaced with an emphasis upon faithfully living out the life of Christ while on earth. Unfortunately, this has resulted in an unnecessary tension between two valid biblical doctrines. Walking victoriously through the long goodbye with Linda has allowed me to rediscover the wonderful balance God ordained for his people. In today’s blog, I will discuss this balance in three dimensions:
Earth is a Dress Rehearsal for Eternity.
Jesus’s Parable of the Ten Minas: “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’
“When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done (Luke 19:12-13,15 MSG).
Paul’s Instructions to Timothy: You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming (2 Timothy 4:3-8 MSG).
Suffering Transforms Our Value System.
I began this week thinking, “How much more can I stand?” I had no way of knowing God was going to use Linda’s suffering to show me how to carry out the instructions he had, nearly three years ago, impressed upon my heart: “You must change your focus from me (my loss) to her (Linda’s gain).” Excerpts from my journal entries illustrate how this took place:
- She closed her eyes, and with trembling hands retreated into her world. On one occasion, she lifted her left hand up toward Heaven.
- Zoned out, with eyes closed, she talked to imaginary persons. Later, while telling her the story of how we met, she reached over and playfully slapped my arm. That has always been code for, “You crazy thing!”
- When I cleaned off a place for her to sit in her recliner, she started lowering her pants. Apparently, she thought I was preparing for her to use the bathroom. Very quickly, I helped her to the commode and assisted in getting her situated.
- My heart was ripped out when I saw her: Eyes closed, she was holding her baby doll and patting it on the back – EXACTLY LIKE I WATCHED HER BURP OUR BABIES, ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. When I whispered in her ear, “Hello Beautiful,” she flashed her beautiful smile and, with my assistance, started trying to get up. Throughout our visit, she periodically closed her eyes and trembled.
Returning to God’s instructions, when I consider her present existence in light of the glorious home that is being prepared for her, I am very aware that my focus is moving from me (my loss) to her (Linda’s gain).
Heaven is a Certain Reality.
Written in 1887 by Dion DeMarbelle, When They Ring the Golden Bells directly speaks to the need for balance in the Church:
There’s a land beyond the river, That we call the sweet forever,
And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree; One by one we’ll gain the portals, There to dwell with the immortals, When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
We shall know no sin nor sorrow, In that haven of tomorrow, When our barque shall sail beyond the silver sea; We shall only know the blessing of our Father’s sweet caressing, When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
When our days shall know their number, When in death we sweetly slumber, When the King commands the spirit to be free; Nevermore with anguish laden, We shall reach that lovely aden, When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
Don’t you hear the bells now ringing? Don’t you hear the angels singing? ‘Tis the glory hallelujah Jubilee, In the far-off sweet forever, Just beyond the shining river, When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
Ron Harvard Ministries 