THE MORNING STAR

by Wendy Kleker

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Rev. 21:3,4

            A dare.  A gauntlet thrown down.  A challenge to a duel of words. That’s how I took an article by Brian Doyle in the 2011 Daily Guideposts. Let me quote his last couple of lines after giving a wonderful tribute to a friend who had gone on to Glory.  “I believe she lives.  I believe that out of the darkness she has danced into an incomprehensible light.  Do you believe?” 

            How could I NOT answer that!

            I have always believed with my heart that there is a Heaven.  Light and love, God and wonder, paradise and perfection all rolled up in one glorious place.  Or is it ONE place and not many places?  Does it encompass more space than the universe?  Go on forever and ever?  It’s hard to imagine a place that never ends.  Maybe time going on forever, but a concrete place?  But then I’m not sure God’s glorious home IS concrete.  I am certain there’s no concrete and asphalt there.

            Like I said, I’ve always believed with my heart but now I see a tiny bit with my eyes.  Or I should say through the eyes of a little boy who visited eternity in the book “Heaven is For Real” by Todd Burpo.  A great book that will open your eyes to Glory and indeed help you to really know that Heaven IS real.

            My late husband, my sister, my mom and dad, my mother and father-in-law, numerous aunts and uncles and many dear friends who have passed on are for sure in a concrete place.  Not made of concrete and asphalt but a real place of light and color, magnificent, vibrant colors everywhere.  Why even the animals may be of different colors.  And yes, there are animals, all kinds and lots of them.  Many dogs all over and they, like the humans will never die.  No death in Heaven.  Oh, Praise God!  No sickness, no tears, no pain, no goodbyes, not even with our animal friends.  Hallelujah!

            I believe we will have jobs in Heaven, maybe something to do with what we did or who we were on earth, I mean using our talents, gifts and passions.  Someone has to take care of the animals, up there.  Right? Well maybe not in Heaven.

            The ones gone on ahead have not forgotten whom they left behind.  Even if they or we have changed or they never met us on earth, they will know who we are and love us in Heaven.  But then everyone loves in Heaven.  There’s no hate, no jealousy, no greed, no pride, no misunderstandings, no anger, no selfishness.  All those things that cause trouble here on hearth are gone.  Can you imagine?  A place with only compassion, joy, peace, kindness, respect and long suffering.   Imagine not needing to watch your back, as in lock the doors, carry a weapon, or take self defense classes.  No protecting our children, fighting for our rights, worrying about what someone is saying behind our backs, struggling to fit in or be good enough, and no more needing to be “politically correct”.  Can you just see someone in Heaven telling you, “We don’t say Merry Christmas any more.  You must tell people Happy Holidays.”  Not going to happen!  I’m sure there is a fantastic celebration of rejoicing for the birthday of the Prince of Heaven up there.

            Oh and about that “up there”, where exactly is Heaven and how big is it and how many folks will be there?  I mean I don’t like crowds.  I need my space, my room to roam.  Well I don’t know about those kinds of things, but I’m sure we won’t be uncomfortable, unhappy, discontent or any of those unpleasant things we deal with down here. 

            I do know with deep certainty we will be walking and talking  in bodies very much like the ones we now have, but not old, injured, diseased or impaired.  And we will see Jesus, talk to Him, and touch Him.  We will visit with God at His throne.  We will have homes and be surrounded by loved ones.  We may even watch God give power and abilities to folks on earth.  Or we may talk to Jesus about why things happened as they did or see the future.  We may get to pet Jesus’ rainbow horse or ride into battle with Him.  A battle we know Jesus will win, of course.  But now I’m getting into areas that are foggy indeed and hard to understand. 

            However, I’m sure folks we love who went on to Glory are right now dancing and skipping in unimaginable light and color and beauty.  In a world much like ours with trees, grass, mountains and lots of flowers, yet so much better.  Vibrant and bright, like a clear sunny spring day yet, with no imperfections.  Fresh and perfect like the very first day after creation.

            It’s a place where each person has a touching, loving, face-to-face relationship with the Prince of Peace and open access to the God of the Universe.  The Creator of all things! 

            Nothing will come between my Jesus and me in Glory.  No distractions, no sin, no earthly or selfish desires will keep me from seeing my Savior’s face.  For ever and ever!  And that is the best thing of all! 

            So, YES, I believe!

            But I won’t end there because I believe I’m going there some day.  Oh, I haven’t and won’t do everything perfect here on earth.  In fact, I’ve done some things terribly wrong, but the One whose eyes I will gaze into, whose hand I will hold and whose voice I will hear with my ears, the One who is the Morning Star, is the One who paid the price.  He covered the debt that I had no hope of ever paying.  His life on earth filled the bill and His death on the cross paid for all the wrongs and imperfections I have or ever will have in my life.  And yours too.

            You can walk in Glory with Him and see His face.  He is your Savior, every one of you, if you ask, if you invite Him into your life, He will cover your debt.  He will take your hand, He will walk with you on earth, He will talk with you in Glory. 

            Do you believe?

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha ad the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 

Outside are the bad people who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murders, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 

            I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Rev. 22:12-16