On dying and angels

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 8:1-9:23
Mark 13:14-37
Psalm 50:1-23
Proverbs 10:29-30

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Mark 13:26-27 "Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world - from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The verses for today are exciting! They tell us of the time when Jesus come back - the temporal ends and the eternal begins.

But, there is something else I want you to notice ...

As a pastor, I have been with many folks as they walked through death's door. Those moments are filled with great sadness. What once was a life is reduced to a lifeless body. Relationships are suspended. A new chapter has begun.

But, there is something that happens in that moment that many Christians may not realize - angels were in the room!

Now, I realize that many people make up their own theology. They fabricate all sorts of things (not found in Scripture) to comfort the hurting.

As a Christian, we should commit to never make up our own theology. We should always have the question on the tip of our tongues: "What does the Bible say about it?"

When we look at the verses for today, we realize that the Lord "will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world..." Clearly, angels are present when the Lord's chosen ones are taken from earth to Heaven.

This verse tells us that angels will perform this act at a future time ... when eternity officially begins. But, what about now? What about when our loved ones pass away? Are angels in the room to escort them to their Heavenly home?

All we need do is read the story that Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). Listen to what Jesus said when Lazarus, a follower of the Lord, died.

Luke 16:22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham..."

Did you get that? Jesus said that angels came to get Lazarus! They were in the room!

Friend, I believe that the Bible presents this as normative. It's the way things happen. When a follower of the Lord dies, if you are in the room, then you are in the presence of angels. They have been instructed by Almighty God to safely escort His loved ones to their Heavenly home.

What a wonderful, loving God we serve!