[367]. A Message From A Poem – Departure May Not Be Far Away

[367]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DEPARTURE MAY NOT BE FAR AWAY

How eagerly do some people look forward to a holiday? For some it is an adventure of a lifetime. We could also ask, “How many Christians really look forward to leaving this earth to be with the Lord?” Many of us don’t want to leave our lives here, even though we greatly desire heaven. Paul had this dilemma –

{{Philippians 1:21-24 “for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain, but if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labour for me, and I do not know which to choose. I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST, for that is very much better, yet to remain on in the flesh is MORE NECESSARY FOR YOUR SAKE,”}}

The older we get the more our thoughts turn towards our departure from this life. Being in my eighties, I realise this more and more. Nevertheless we are looking forward to the coming of the Lord in the Rapture.

The title is “Departure May Not Be Far Away,” and the reason for that are the signs of the times. The world is in very swift decay as God promised it would be at the end of the age and the last times. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. The most dominant sign is that of Israel. After the Rapture focus is placed on Israel and we are having that now.

The third stanza speaks about being with the Lord and another verse comes to mind – {{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.”}}

Us older ones may soon be at heaven’s door so now we should do all we are able for the Lord. Faithful is the Lord who has kept us through thick and thin and even when we wandered off the righteous path. The Lord is gracious. He will meet us at heaven’s gate.

Maybe a reader is lingering about giving his/her life to Christ. If that is you, repent while there is still time and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late.

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DEPARTURE MAY NOT BE FAR AWAY

Very soon for me the journey will end,

And with Jesus, my Lord, my days I’ll spend.

What ties are they that hold us to this earth,

For heaven has opened since our new birth?

Former things have passed away as the mist,

So now, glorious things from God exist.

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Those of you who claim to follow the Lord,

Why is it with Christian things you are bored?

That’s not the way it ought to be for you,

For genuineness walks the path that’s true.

Assess your life, and if need be, repent,

Or else your days in vanity are spent.

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Yes, soon my life will be at heaven’s gate

And in God’s abode there will be no wait.

Jesus instantly receives me to Him –

No longer will that connection be dim.

In the Lord’s presence, with Him forever.

No former trials, pain or death can sever.

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My Faithful Companion my Lord has been;

Always with me, though His presence unseen.

“I will never leave you, nor you forsake,

And I understand your ev’ry heartache.”

Great High Priest, my Saviour always stands firm.

In my life His presence I can confirm.

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For each of us our earthly time will close,

And we will be as dust that the wind blows,

But our eternal spirits will reside

In heaven or hell, but you will decide.

Make not the mistake and reject the Lord.

Such eternal loss you can not afford.

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Ronald Ferguson 10 July 2026 10 throughout AABB etc.