I Am Going Home To Be With The Lord – With Him Forever Series

I AM GOING HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD – WITH HIM FOREVER

Currently this is just a devotion I presented to a group site. It will be developed into a full sermon in the future.

Written mainly on Sunday morning at 3 AM when I woke with the ideas (given by God of course). 12 June 2022.

EYES THAT WILL BE TRULY AWAKE!

What will be the first realisation in heaven when we transit from this earth? One precious verse says, {{2Corinthians 5:8 “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”}} I see there, no time gap, no waiting period in some sort of limbo; no vacant state between death and heaven’s glory. There are some Christians who think death means a waiting time until the Lord appears to judge the living and the dead. That is not correct and is somewhat depressing. I ask again, what will be the first realisation when we depart this world?

Sadly this ignorance of uncertainty comes from the mixture of Catholicism and the ignorance of pastors and teachers who are present in churches; who have not bothered to examine the scriptures carefully. There is no waiting time; the change is instant. I am sure the Lord would have it no other way.

Remember Stephen here, who, when facing an imminent death could say, Acts 7:56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God . . .” This is a most interesting expression because another verse clearly says, Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . .” After obtaining our salvation Jesus sat down, an act indicating His work for salvation was complete. Elsewhere in Hebrews the same thought is expressed - Hebrews 10:12-13 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.” And again - Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Mark puts the fact most clearly - Mark 16:19 “So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God,”

However, Stephen saw Him standing. Why is that? Jesus was standing to receive His faithful saint when the stoning did its sinister work. Standing to greet Him. I don’t think this was an exception; I think it will be normal. Jesus is ready to greet each saint individually, to welcome each one home. In the parable of the prodigal son, when he was coming home, the father saw him a great way off and went to greet him. I think that greeting will be the most blessed that will ever happen for each one of us.

The Lord is waiting for me. He stands to greet me. He welcomes me to His home. Talking about home . . . We all use the expression, “We are going home one day,” meaning we will be going to heaven. Heaven is our home, but in one sense it is not OUR home. It is the Lord’s home, and He is the glorious One who will welcome us to His home. I remember a song we used to sing so many years ago when I was a youth –

“This World Is Not My Home” by Jim Reeves.

1. This world is not my home I'm just passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

CHORUS/REFRAIN

O Lord you know I have no friend like you.

If Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

2. They're all expecting me, and that's one thing I know.

My Saviour pardoned me and now I onward go.

I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and poor,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

CHORUS/REFRAIN

3. Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally.

The Saints on every hand are shouting victory.

Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore,