I have already suggested that a major part of the answer lies in the relationship between time and eternity. Earlier this year, I preached a message on "Biblical veils", that ended up with some references to that relationship. I plan to share that final point over the next few days, in a series of posts. Be sure to return for the rest of them!
That final point concerned the veil that will be reached when we come to the end
of our mortal lives. I have given much
thought to this over recent years. Not
that I am becoming particularly morbid!
It’s just that the Lord seems to be giving me little insights.
I recently learned of a material called graphene
which, I am assured, is only one atom in thickness. That means that, by comparison, the finest
gossamer is like extra-heavy brocade! I
believe, firmly, that what separates time from eternity is finer again even than
graphene, yet of a strength that even if every nuclear device possessed by
mankind was to be detonated simultaneously, there would not be even the
slightest dent in, or the faintest scratch on, that particular veil.
So what happens at the
moment of physical death? Well, for the
disciple of Jesus, the answer is simple.
Paul tells us, in II Cor 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be
present with the Lord. Jesus, Himself
assured the penitent thief on the cross that “... today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43). So it doesn’t seem to be the case that, when
I die – and this is all, of course, only applicable for as long as the rapture
of the saints of God is delayed – it doesn’t seem to be the case that I travel
millions of light years to reach my celestial abode! No, it’s as instantaneous as it will be at
the rapture when, Paul tells us, “It will
happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.”
(I Cor 15:52).
We find further hints of
this when we look in the O.T. Remember
the great old patriarch, Enoch. I love
those words recorded of him in Gen 5: “Enoch
lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he
disappeared, because God took him.” Or, as the older translations put it, “... he was not; for God took him.” (vs
23-24)
So what happened to
Enoch? Well, what I am now going to share
is, I freely confess, somewhat speculative.
But I share it with you because I am convinced, not only of its
possibility, but of its probability! I
believe that those words are telling us that, every morning, when Enoch awoke,
his first words were “Well, Lord, where
are we going today; what will we be doing?”
And that's a good way for any of us to start the day! And the Lord told him. Then, one day, he awoke and, having asked the
same question, was told by God, “Today,
Enoch, dear friend, you are coming to my bit.
Let’s go!” And Enoch simply
walked through that veil that separates time from eternity.
(to be continued!).
No comments:
Post a Comment