[304]. A Message From A Poem - They Have Gone To Be With Jesus

[304]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THEY HAVE GONE TO BE WITH JESUS

Right at the outset I want to say I LOVE THIS POEM. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME.

I love it because the Lord gave it freely to me and the truth of it now for 27 years has been part of the way I address the loss of a Christian loved one. I am afraid the verse in the bible is true – FOR EVERYONE including Christians – {{Hebrews 9:27 “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement ”}}

I cringe at funerals or memorial services for non-Christians when the celebrant says things like, “They are with God,” or “Now they have entered peace,” or “They are smiling down on us.” The bible is clear-cut on this matter; one is either in Christ or not in Christ. Those not in Christ have gone to hell – Sorry to be so blunt.

Those in Christ who have died have gone to an eternal rest. That is the sense of this poem – they have gone to be with Jesus. We get that statement from these verses – {{2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND TO BE AT HOME WITH THE LORD.”}}

All born again Christians who have died – fallen asleep – are with the Lord Jesus. We can only imagine what that will be like. The only fear I have is not being ashamed in His presence.

As one who looks forward to the rapture of the Bride/Church, I do desire for that to happen and we won’t pass through the veil of death. The signs in the world are so close for that event, it must happen so very soon.

At home with the Lord! What does it mean? Well part of that answer is in the poem. I wish sometimes Christians would not be so materialistic. They speak of going to mansions and walking streets of gold. What was Paul’s desire in those verses above? There was just one – “TO BE AT HOME WITH THE LORD.” Nothing else mattered to him.

I trust this poem will be a comfort for you in losing a loved one or a Christian friend. The Lord bless you.

That is enough for the Introduction but I’ll close with these lines from what used to be a very well known hymn -

Let us labor for the Master

From the dawn till setting sun.

Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care.

Then when all of life is over,

And our work on earth is done,

And the roll is called up yonder,

I’ll be there.

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THEY HAVE GONE TO BE WITH JESUS

They have gone to be with Jesus

On that happy, blissful shore.

They were Christians that we knew here

Who’ve been called to go before.

Now they rest in Christ their Saviour

With their trials forever gone;

To enjoy His presence greatly

Where His face they look upon.

His redemption is now realised;

All His joy around then reigns;

All His grace is culminated

Showing love and mercy’s gains.

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No more heartache they will know there;

No more persecution’s hand;

Now eternal light surrounds them -

In God’s glory each does stand.

How delightful was that calling

That has taken those saints home.

Now their occupation fully

From the Saviour will not roam.

They have entered sinless glory

As the sheep whom He did save,

And with hearts that bow before Him,

Understand what heaven gave.

Yes, it gave the loving Saviour

As a gem among the dross.

To regain what sin had stolen,

He addressed mankind’s great loss.

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To be absent from the body,

To be present with the Lord,

Joy for them is joy eternal,

As they share His great reward.

But their parting may have grieved us,

Who are left here in this scene,

When that cloud of separation

With its sorrows came between.

But their joy is overwhelming

In the presence of their Lord,

And we too one day will follow,

Joining them in love unflawed.

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21 November 1999 R E Ferguson 8-7-8-7 etc ABCBDE continuous