We recently had a visit from some old friends we had not seen in 25 years. It was as if it were just yesterday. We spent the time saying, “Remember this one? Remember that one? But whatever happened to so and so? Remember when we went here or there, did this or that?” We started talking and went on for seven hours. We looked at pictures too, usually recognizing old friends in an instant—the eyes never change.
Seven hours, while a good visit, is not enough time to catch up on the entire 25 years since we had seen this couple, or the 31 years since we had seen our mutual friends. Maybe that is why one of the greatest appeals of Heaven is seeing loved ones and friends once again. How many hymns do we sing about it?
Dreaming of the comrades that so long have gone…
Saved ones gone to be with Jesus… now are waiting for my coming…
Oh, think of the saints over there, who before us the journey have trod…
If we never meet again this side of Heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.
How many funeral sermons leave us with the hope that once again we will all be together?
It’s real, you know. Jesus promised a believing centurion in Matthew 8:11, Many shall come from the east and the west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven. If their loved ones will see them again, why won’t I see mine? After Lazarus’s death, Martha said to Jesus, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day, John 11:24. Jesus never said anything to indicate her perception was wrong. It’s a real hope, a real promise, one that should get us through the worst temptations and the worst trials successfully.
Isn’t it worth any sacrifice or any trial to see a long gone grandparent or parent again, a beloved mate who made the trip ahead of you, or old friends who meant so much to you? That’s how it will be, picking up where we left off when they had to say good-bye, if we only want it badly enough.
Beyond the sunset, oh glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before.
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset, forever more.
Dene Ward
Seven hours, while a good visit, is not enough time to catch up on the entire 25 years since we had seen this couple, or the 31 years since we had seen our mutual friends. Maybe that is why one of the greatest appeals of Heaven is seeing loved ones and friends once again. How many hymns do we sing about it?
Dreaming of the comrades that so long have gone…
Saved ones gone to be with Jesus… now are waiting for my coming…
Oh, think of the saints over there, who before us the journey have trod…
If we never meet again this side of Heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.
How many funeral sermons leave us with the hope that once again we will all be together?
It’s real, you know. Jesus promised a believing centurion in Matthew 8:11, Many shall come from the east and the west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven. If their loved ones will see them again, why won’t I see mine? After Lazarus’s death, Martha said to Jesus, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day, John 11:24. Jesus never said anything to indicate her perception was wrong. It’s a real hope, a real promise, one that should get us through the worst temptations and the worst trials successfully.
Isn’t it worth any sacrifice or any trial to see a long gone grandparent or parent again, a beloved mate who made the trip ahead of you, or old friends who meant so much to you? That’s how it will be, picking up where we left off when they had to say good-bye, if we only want it badly enough.
Beyond the sunset, oh glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before.
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset, forever more.
Dene Ward
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