"But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is; and we are looking forward to His return from there. When He comes back He will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same mighty power that He will use to conquer all else everywhere" (Philippians 3:20,21).
George Gallup, Jr., a deeply religious and dear personal friend, has just completed a very important survey asking people, in face-to-face, in-depth interviews, key questions about heaven and hell and other aspects about life beyond death.
One result indicated that two-thirds of all American adults - or 100 million people - believe in an after-life. But what was surprising, said Gallup, was that about 15 percent of those surveyed in one poll indicated they had had an unusual near-death experience - seeing figures or objects that beckoned them to a world beyond life on earth.
Dwight L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him a few hours before leaving this earth for his heavenly mansion.
"Earth recedes, heaven opens before me," he said, awakening from a sleep. "If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go."
A son stood by his bedside. "No, no, father," he said, "you are dreaming."
"No," said Moody, "I am not dreaming. I have been within the gates. I have seen the children's faces."
A short time passed, then followed what his family thought to be the death struggle. "This is my triumph," Moody said. "This is my coronation day. It is glorious!"
Nothing in that true story contradicts Scripture in any way. One of God's choice saints simply had a foretaste of his heavenly home, related for our joy and encouragement and edification.
TODAY'S ACTION POINT: Realizing afresh that my homeland is in heaven with my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the time of my departure from this earth is unknown but certain, I shall take advantage of every opportunity to encourage others to be ready for their time of departure, as I prepare for my own.
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