When you move into a house in a new neighborhood maybe you get a pie or a “Hi” from your neighbors, maybe not. But I know God will make sure you enjoy your entrance to heaven with our welcoming committee of former friends and family members. We are not going to lose our minds and personalities in heaven. It says that we see through a glass dimly now but we will see face to face…..
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
An example of still having our mind and memory in heaven is in Revelation it talks about the martyrs before the thrown of God asking God when their blood will be avenged. I really don’t quite understand that, but apparently maybe their families are here and the separation from their families may be why the martyrs are asking God for revenge on those on earth who killed them. In fact, it could be those victims of 9/11 who had no choice, but to leave their families from the terrorists and asking God when these terrorists like Osama Bin Laden would be allowed to continue their terrorism with their families on earth or another one was Hitler and there have been many people tortured, killed, or martyred over the centuries that left loved ones prematurely. The unborn babies they could never conceive, unborn grandchildren they never would see, and the souls they could not reach for the gospel since they were martryed.
They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Revelation 6:10
In Hebrews we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. I believe that is in relation to that others are allowed to see and cheer us on.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1
We also have the example of Elijah and Moses talking to Jesus on the mount of transfiguration and Samuel appeared to Saul when he had a witch call him back from the dead. God is a God of the living not the dead.
I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." Matthew 22:32
Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Matthew 17:3
I heard a story by Joel Osteen about a woman who was widowed was concerned about moving on with her life and getting remarried. She prayed and on her wedding day there was a double rainbow on the beach in Hawaii. The wedding planner said this was very rare. She believed it was a sign from God (one rainbow) and a sign from her husband (the other rainbow). After I heard that testimony about a month later and I was sitting at a restaurant in Speedway, Indiana near my home eating a birthday dinner with my daughter Hannah and everyone in the restaurant, waiters and customers walked outside, and in amazement there was a double rainbow. I’m conceited enough to believe that God and my husband Mike did that just for me. Just like I am conceited to believe that God planned that I would get born again on my physical birthday 40 years ago, and it snowed on my birthday and the Bible talks about our sins will be white as snow.
God is not a God of partiality or one who shows favoritism. His gifts are equal to his children unlike sometimes at Christmas I felt my brother got better gifts since he got a stereo one Christmas and I got clothes!
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. Act 10:34
For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11
who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? Job 34:19
God is not a respecter of persons, but he is a respecter of faith:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus talked about having the faith as small as mustard seed and we can move mountains, but we see time and time when Jesus was limited in his own home town because of their unbelief.
So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest. Hebrews 3:19
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58
I heard that faith is simple as a child trusts his parents when they tell him that they are going to the store, going on vacation, etc. Simple faith that when you put your money in the bank it’s going to be there. Faith/trust is a simple thing and God has dealt to every man a measure of faith.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3
Heaven starts the day you become born again because the kingdom of God is within us. They can't say, 'Here it is!' or 'There it is!' You see, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.1 John 3:8-10
We see that Elijah was caught up in a chariot of fire and Enoch walked with God and was not for he was taken:
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24
Our bodies prevent us from fully seeing the kingdom of God/heaven:
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Cor. 15:50
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Cor. 15:42-44
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philip 1:23
As Paul said it’s better for others that we stay on earth for some reason and find God’s will and purpose for our lives now without our loved ones. It’s very hard for widows after many years with a spouse to find that life without their husbands. It’s that new road that God wants us to walk on, but through God's strength and his grace (ability) we can find that new road. I’ve seen many that are divorced that can’t seem to find that new road either.
I heard a song awhile back, “It’s a new, new day that’s coming into view, it’s a new place that walks that beckons unto you, there is a new, new garment he is calling us to wear, it’s a new day that is coming into view."
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