Paradise

Today you’ll be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:43 For the glory of God gives {the City} light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:23 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. Revelation 21:16-17)

As I grieve for those in our church who have lost loved ones, I like to think of the blind man described in “Image Heaven” by John Burke who told about his near-death experience. He said, “I saw (remember he was blind), infinitely far off, far too distant to be visible with any kind of sight I knew of, a city. A glowing, (seamlessly endless city), bright enough to be seen over all the unimaginable distance between. The brightness seemed to shine from the very walls and streets of this place. Howard Storm also found himself in some deep space with Jesus when he glimpsed what looked like a galaxy, a vast area of illumination far off in the distance. In the center of the light was an even brighter concentration of light, which Howard instinctively understood to be God’s abode.”

Another person with a near death experience said this, “I did not feel cold, nor did I feel hot. The temperature seemed perfect. The crystal air was clear, was pure, and a sweet- smelling air. It was a perfect day in Heaven…The beauty of it all was astonishing. Nowhere did I see a dead blade of grass or a wilting flower petal. Infinite rays of colorful light permeated everything. It seemed that every colorful thing I saw seemed to shine from within, colors that excited my eyes. My eyes danced about looking everywhere for new colors, a kid in a candy shop!”

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, what a joy to have the Bible telling us we can be in Paradise with Jesus by accepting him into our lives. Thank you for John Burke interviewing people who died for a short while and then were brought back to life. What John learned is a repetition of what you tell us in the Bible. You are all knowing Lord, your love for us is unbelievable, and the place you prepare for us beyond our death is a bright spot we cannot even imagine. Help us to take this information and know our treasured family members who have passed and those lost in the earthly Paradise city lost in the fire have been taken care of by you and now glimpse the beauty of your glory. Amen

Sandra Hilsabeck-Hastings