If We Never Meet Again … This Side Of Heaven

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Have you ever been there … homesick? Longing for the presence of family, of loved ones?  Allow me to just say, “I’m really getting homesick for Heaven!”

Not giving up on life here, but I am looking forward to spending eternity with Him whom I have tried to serve my entire life. And I don’t believe I’m alone.

I am a blessed man in so many, many ways! Blessed with a loving family that would absolutely do anything for me … blessed with a good life … blessed through the years to do as I wanted in being given the opportunity to teach and preach the Gospel.

It would be impossible for any of us to enumerate the entirety of the blessings God has bestowed upon us.  But allow me to mention one other blessing in the form of many … friends from the East Coast to the West Coast of this great land and points in between.

The downside I suppose is that some of them I will probably not be given the opportunity to see or visit in person again, at least in this life.  A growing number have passed from this life already and I miss them dearly! And each of us is now one day closer to that same event.

Yes, communication is generally available via social media, but that’s just not the same. It’s the personal presence … the face-to-face interactions … body language … these are all components of the best of communication with friends, brethren, and our loved ones.

All of this being said … there is a time … there is a “Day coming” … when many of those who have gone on before us we will be able to meet again … not on this earth. (2 Peter 3:10-13) But, in that eternal home that “Jesus promised He was going away to prepare!”

The Apostle Peter goes on to encourage these early Christians to Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot (“pure”) and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14)

I know there will always be some debate about whether or not we will recognize others in Heaven, and I will be the first to tell you I don’t know how it might happen … the way we will appear. (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4,5) The Bible does teach with clarity just how beautiful Heaven will be for those who chose to serve Him in this life and who by His grace and mercy have heard Him proclaim, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joys of thy Lord.”

Heaven is the place of eternal joy, perfect peace, and light that will never dim … the place we will see God’s face … meet with Jesus, face to face … and offer our worship and praise forever and ever.

May we always remember that it is God’s presence that makes Heaven our longed-for dwelling place for eternity. And Jesus is the only One who can and will lead us there when we choose to follow Him!

It is the absence of His presence that makes Hell the other eternal residence … a place we must do everything in God’s way to avoid!

May each of us come to the realization that one day this short life will end … and if we fail to receive the “crown of life” … then we’ve lost everything!

My friend … my brother or sister in Christ … if we never meet again on this side of Heaven … I pray we will meet on the other side … and never have to say ‘goodbye’ again as we reside by the “river of life!”   (Revelation 22:1-5)

“And so, we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Bill Fairchild, Jr.

 

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