No more tears in Heaven

 

So today I realised that one of my step-children had unfriended me on Face Book. It was quite a surprise as I thought we got on fairly well.

I thought about it a lot today because as anyone will tell you, rejection is a bitter pill to swallow.

As it so happened, I had a chance to ask my step-child's spouse for a reason and the response was that the step-child was offended by all the "God stuff" I post.

Well, this is not the first time I have been rejected by my family because of my Christian witness, but nevertheless, it still smarted...

My response was to share about my own child's rejection of me and following estrangement.  I mentioned that same as I had told that person,  it is my wall and my right to post that which is meaningful to me...

As I said to Chris tonight, Jesus did tell us that we would suffer for His sake, and even lose family over our walk with Him. Furthermore, He told us that if our first priority was not following Him and we gave in to the rejectors by not following Him, then we were not worthy of Him. I can never reject Jesus.

Today, as these thoughts and feelings swirled around in my head, I was once again comforted by the Holy Spirit Who reminded me that these trials will be nothing in comparison to the joys we will have in Heaven with Christ.

I will continue to love and pray for those who reject me and I will get over it and move forward. But I have to confess that I do look forward to being with Jesus...

It is said who will have the last laugh... it's not funny that they are lost and I won't be laughing.

I am so glad we won't remember those we loved who are lost.  There will be no more tears in Heaven...

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me- Matthew 10:37

In our Father's House!

I came across this-  Heaven's Promised Mansions - A Place for You | Worship Song- and wanted to share it.

It is obviously AI generated, and we can only imagine how much better Heaven will be in reality.

As we struggle on earth waiting for the Rapture, may this remind us that earth is not our Home.

We were created to worship God... Imagine having an eternity to be in God's Presence and to worship Him... and Jesus has gone to prepare the perfect Place for us to do that.. for He has prepared a mansion for us... built for eternity.

In line with these thoughts is that the word "mansion" comes from the word "monai", which most literally means "dwelling places." Translations such as the KJV have rendered this as "mansions." Many have latched onto this in a very literal way, imagining that Jesus is promising physical palaces for all Christians in heaven. 

While that's not entirely impossible, there's a more important meaning here. Jesus says these monai are in His "Father's House," using the expression tē oikia, which can mean a physical house or a family. In this context, it seems to mean something more family-related. 

Christ's meaning here is more likely a reassurance that in the family of God is room for all of them, more so than a promise for a fancy house. That's more in keeping with Jesus' later comment in this verse that He's preparing "a place" using a very generic Greek term, topon.

Jesus' remark here is meant to continue the reassurance He began in the prior verse. Like that verse, this one contains an expression which can be translated in more than one way. Translators have rendered this phrase as a rhetorical question, a direct statement, and either included or separated the comment about a "place" into the sentence. 

Which of those was John's original intent is an answer deeply buried in ancient Greek grammar and vocabulary. No matter which is ultimately the case, the practical meaning is the same: Christ has not been deceptive, there is restoration at the end of a believer's life journey, and this destiny is the result of Christ's efforts.

Jesus will use the same word for "dwelling places" in John 14:23 when He speaks about coming to make His home in those who believe. From Bibleref.com

Maranatha! O come, LORD Jesus! We are longing to dwell with You in our Father's House.

 

 © Glenys Robyn Hicks

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you- John 14:2

A personal God

 

 

I have been thinking about heaven and meeting Jesus.  How every eye shall behold Him and how He is omnipresent and is not subjected to the laws of time... I am thinking because He is in all and He holds all together, maybe He will greet us all personally in Heaven at the same time, yet we will feel like He and we are the only people who matter at the time...

After all, millions of believers worldwide will be raptured along with the dead in Christ and it would seem plausible that a supernatural God like ours could minister to each at his or her designated time in the clouds... on a personal relationship basis... 

Likewise we would all be at the wedding feast of the Lamb yet feel totally connected to Him and each other because there would be the Spirit of God indwelling us all at the same time... I can hardly wait... just thinking brings a longing for Home.... 

I am also basing my thoughts on the fact that the indwelling Holy Spirit leads us all simultaneously yet personally all the time. We feel Him in a uniquely personal way...   

Whatever transpires, I am sure it will absolutely spot on and miraculous for us all on a deeply personal level... Maranatha!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks   

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together -Colossians  1:17

Maranatha! Soon and very soon.

 

It's 5pm and it's been a beautiful day here. I have our dinner in the slow cooker and have lit the lamps and drawn the blinds. 

I plan to spend the rest of the night knitting for the new great-grandbaby. Of course I realise that the little jackets may not even be used should the LORD come for us. That's just fine with me. 

I am living as usual but looking up and praying that Jesus come soon. As this picture says, this world is not our home. I guess I am homesick for a place I have never seen but know exists. 

I am so glad that we who believe in Christ Jesus will all meet one day when all the angst here is replaced with joy. 

May you rest in His Love tonight. Sending my love from my little nest in Melbourne. Talk to you soon here or There. Love you all. God bless. The Rapture is near! Maranatha!

If you don't know Jesus as LORD, you can be Rapture ready by being saved. You don't want to be left behind. Today's the day of salvation... don't leave it too long.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10

Ready for your crown?

 

Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes every day at a frantic pace. We who are looking for the soon rapture or snatching up of the church, are expecting to see our Saviour very soon.

Not only has Jesus gone to prepare a place for us, but He is going to give us a crown of glory that doesn't fade away. What an honour! 

Throughout scriptures, we are often told of crowns speaking of righteousness, obedience, honour and rewards. Those of us who love the LORD, will each be given a crown.

Some verses that speak of this are: 

The Crown of Righteousness: - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

The Crown of Life: -  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him  James 1:12

The Crown of Glory:- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

The Incorruptible Crown:- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25

The Crown of Rejoicing:- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

I am not only looking for the signs of Christ's coming for the Church, I am waiting for the sound of the trumpet. That is going to be a magnificent time when believers get to see Jesus, but also get to live with Him for eternity.

There's still work to be done until that time- we must tell unbelievers of the salvation of the LORD and the impending end times.

We must continue to witness, live a holy life, stay close to Jesus through worship and prayer, and fight the good fight.

The trumpet is about to sound: are you ready for your crown? 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

She won't be happy in Heaven!

 

Today we were watching The Blessing on YouTube. I was blown away by the beauty of all the different Christians singing in their own tongue.

What impressed me was that all of them were aglow with the Spirit and clearly in love with Jesus.

Jesus said that He would draw all men unto Him- people from every tribe and nation and watching this, I remembered an incident at a church I went to many years ago.

It was a big congregation which packed the church hall out and even packed the balcony. Faces of every nation were definitely as one worshiping the Saviour. It was a sight to behold.

I had friends from many backgrounds, colours and countries. I learned about their cultures as we grew closer to the LORD. It was a happy time.

But not everyone was happy with the many nationalities represented each Sunday. I recall the wife of one of the deacons commenting with a wrinkle of her nose and a sniff, that the Church had become a league of Nations! I was shocked!

Someone should have informed her that Christ died for all men- not just Anglo-Saxons like her. The gospel was for all nations. Christ is for all nations. But she obviously wasn't.

Globally all nations have been reached- or most have- and the response generally has been wonderful to see. So many brothers and sisters in Christ to meet in glory! Hallelujah! 

I can just imagine from The Blessing video that it will be a glorious time of being many in Christ, yet one in the Spirit! And I am so looking forward to it.

It goes without saying that the deacon's wife will be unhappy in glory because she has elevated herself to a position of superiority and has allowed racism to colour her view and stifle the  Holy Spirit.

To assume that Christ only came for Anglo-Saxons is wrong on so many counts, not only theologically, socially, morally and intellectually, but it will curtail any chance of true happiness now and for eternity.

Unless she repents, and of course she may have by now, but if she doesn't, I would imagine that she would stunt her growth in the LORD, as well as hurt Him and those she has rejected.

She really has to embrace the sacrifice of the Saviour Who died for all men, and come to love those of differing cultures, or she won't be happy in Heaven! 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  John 12:32