The Traveler

“My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world.” (Billy Graham)

If you need a quick, broad summary of a book or movie, there are many places on the Internet you can search for this kind of information.  For more extensive details on any topic, a resource like the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, can provide you with the information that you might require.

For those of us that attend church on a regular basis, chances are that we’ve heard multiple sermons on the second coming of Jesus in the sky for His true believers. Due to available scriptural truths, the broad facts are given for these messages. 

Details of what this event could be like are left to the imagination of people like Christian musical artist, Kirk Talley. Read the edited lyrics to Kirk’s song, “Triumphantly the Church Will Rise” (in 2000).  Notice the excitement that is building throughout this musical piece (in Heaven).

Verse One

The stars dance with anticipation

The trembling clouds they know that it’s time

I believe musicians are tuning their instruments

And the singers are humming “Here Comes the Bride”

Chorus

Triumphantly the church will rise

Victorious meeting in the sky

See the [Son][i] is ready to welcome His bride

Triumphantly the church will rise

Verse Two

From every nation, they’ll come

Tired from this race they have run

Bruised and battered weary and worn

We shall be like Him on that resurrection morn

Verse Three

All nations will bow down proclaiming Him King

We’ll lay our trophies and crowns at His feet

This trip has been paid for by God’s precious Lamb[ii]

And you ask me whose going

Praise God I am, Praise God I am

Try to visualize in your mind a place that is so far beyond human expectation that finite reasoning can’t comprehend it. One day many of us will pass from the realm of our current world into the hereafter, Heaven will be a sinless place to spend an eternity with our infinite Heavenly Father. Until then, here are some ways to easily bring a piece of Heaven to Earth every single day:

1.     Take prayer walks with your friends, meditate over scriptures in a Bible study, or take time to pray together with those closest to you.

2.     Invite your neighbors in for a meal, or give them a bottle of cold water on a hot day.

3.     Listen to the homeless when they talk to you. If you can, give them something to eat or drink. If possible, put them in contact with someone who can help them out of their situation.

4.     Volunteer your time and talents at your church, homeless shelters, nursing homes, animal shelters, or anywhere else that is in need of your kindness and skills.

5.     Put aside your differences, and listen to others with an open mind and heart.

6.     It is possible to forgive those who have harmed you. Pray for courage to let go of the hurt, and move on.

7.     Pray every day for your family, friends, and anyone else who may need it (like the elderly, the discouraged, the sick, and the dying).

8.     Smile and say “hello” to those you pass on the street. Even a simple smile can change someone’s life.

9.     Listen to a friend who is need with a clear, caring, and compassionate heart.

10.            Hug a loved one when they are hurting. Sit beside them in silent sympathy. Do what you can to support and love that person when times are hard, or seem hopeless.

 “I have all I need here, and Heaven hereafter. How much richer could anybody want to be?” (Lester Roloff)[iii]

Kirk Talley, author of Triumphantly the Church Will Rise!"

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[i] Son is the more biblically accurate term as opposed to the song’s word “Father” because of verses like Revelation 19:7 (VOICE):

^“Now is the time for joy and happiness. He deserves all the glory we can give Him.
 For the wedding feast has begun; the marriage of the Lamb to His bride has commenced, and His bride has prepared herself for this glorious day.”

 

[ii] The Lamb refers to Jesus.

 

[iii] Sources used:

·        “How to Bring Heaven to Earth” (http://www.cotr.org/blogdetails?Item=394)

·        “The Talleys - Triumphantly the Church Will Rise!” (YouTube)

 

Dedicated to my younger sister, Kim Graham