Could This Be

Could this be…?  I hesitate to say the last word in the sentence, because I am not sure if I am dreaming or not.  It seems so real, but is it?  I have been taught my whole life that this day was coming, so is it a dream or a dream come true?

All I remember is standing in the back yard watering plants when all of a sudden, quicker than the blink of an eye; gravity lost its hold on me.  This happened immediately after I heard a trumpet sound and a loud shout that echoed through the clouds like thunder.

As I arose into the air I saw others around me having the same, inconceivable experience.  It was unexpected, yet something I have been looking forward to since I became a Christian.  It is hard to put into words the feeling of the moment, though awesome, it is beyond belief.

My body took on a different dimension; I have heard it called, “glorified body.”  It would be impossible for this earthly flesh to be in the awe-inspiring presence of God’s splendor and magnificence.  Moses, in his natural state, saw the back of God, which caused his face to glow so brightly that they had to place a veil over his head.

(Exodus 33:20-23), “But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’”  vs.21 “And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.’”  vs.22 “So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.”  vs.23 “Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Just ahead I see beautifully adorned gates that are standing wide open; the pearly gates that I have heard so much about.  I am watching the expressions of ecstasy on each person’s face as they pass through the opening.  Shouts of joy ring out from everyone; excited at what they see.

People of all nationalities are here; having one thing in common.  We are the redeemed of the Lord, because Jesus paid the price for our sins.  No-one is pushing and no-one is impatient.  Everyone is taking their time as they bask in the moment, but wait!  There are no clocks or watches to check the time, because time is no more; only eternity remains.

There is no need to hurry anymore, because time has lost its emphasis and dominion.  Bible scriptures are beginning to permeate my mind.

(James 4:13-14), “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’”; vs.14 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Waiting my turn to enter, I keep repeating these words, “Could this be heaven?  Could this be the moment that my parents and grandparents talked about for so long?”  They did not experience the rapture of the church in like manner as me, because they died first. 

The amazing part of this phenomenon is that I am able to enter heaven without dying and going by way of the grave.  I am grateful that out of the multitudes of Believers that passed away before me, I did not have to.

Familiar faces are everywhere!  Relatives and friends are easy to recognize; even the people that I witnessed to about the love of God and how Jesus died for their sins are here.  They are all waiving at me; rejoicing and praising God, because we are together, in heaven, as sons and daughters of God. 

I am with them in the place where we will never grow old or experience pain and suffering again. This is the place of rest; the promise of God that is being fulfilled before my very eyes!

(Psalm 118:24), “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Inhaling deeply through my nose there is no hint of odors looming from burning embers, only the freshness and purity of an unadulterated environment.  I cannot hear screams of torment coming from those that refused to accept Jesus as Lord, only blissful, celestial sounds of angels singing and the saints of God praising His name.

There is only light and no darkness in this place of peace and tranquility, because there is no night.  The brightness of my surroundings is the shekhinah glory of God reflecting off streets of gold.  Could this be heaven?  Absolutely!

In the midst of a multitude of people and the beauty of surrounding mansions, Jesus sits at the right hand of God—the light of heaven.  What a glorious, unbelievable day this is!  I am elated that God forgave me of my sins when I invited Jesus into my heart in 1969!

(John 14:2-3), “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”  vs.3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

As far as the eye can see, everyone is wearing the crown of life and dressed in robes of purest white.  Could this be the moment we throw our crowns at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving for paying the horrific price for our redemption?

In that Jesus made a way for each of us to be saved through the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary, we honor Him with shouts of praise and our crowns.  It was because of His willingness to obey God the Father through the giving of His life for sinners that we are here today and forevermore.

(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Could this be happening for real or am I dreaming?  As I turn over in bed and open my eyes, I realize it was a dream, but one day it will become reality.  I am thankful that my name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. 

My hope is that I will be counted worthy to exit this world when Jesus breaks the clouds of glory and comes back to receive His bride (all born-again Believers) unto Himself.

The trump of God will sound and a shout from the archangel will announce the arrival of Jesus; our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Time will be no more.  Are you ready to meet Jesus when He comes?  Time is running out.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.”  vs.17 “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd