Wednesday, February 2, 2011

...With These Words

A few years ago, my dad told me about a very powerful dream he had. I asked him to tell it to me again so that I could share it. Read it below. Comfort one another with these words...

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"This dream I am about to describe is very special to me because it came after wondering (and fretting) if God would forget me if I died and my body turned to dust. As you know, I believe when a person dies, his body returns to dust and his spirit returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Psalm 104:29). There are many verses that state that a man’s thoughts perish (Psalm 146:4) at that point and they are not conscious until Jesus return. That person is “asleep” until that great day (John 11:11-45). Our hope is in the resurrection not in dying and going to our reward immediately. Years can pass, but this sleep is like a second to those who wait for his return.

This “fretting” came during a time when I had trouble sleeping. It was after my heart attack and my heart had a funny rhythm that would often wake me up with a shortness of breath. I quickly learned to give my fears up to God and I would fall back asleep, but I would think, “Lord, there have been billions of people who have died over the last 6 or 7 thousand years, will you forget me when you come?”

One night, I dreamed and saw my funeral and people standing around, this part of the dream was very quick, because the next thing I experienced was two angels, very playfully and with joy, helping me out of my grave. They seemed to be like two little children who have been anticipating a long trip with their family and everything around them is exciting. At first they are talking to each other, but as I awake, their attention turns to me. As I look up at them, I can’t see them too well, but I feel like I have known them for a very long time. The sky is lit up with brightness, and although I can’t see him, I know Jesus is just beyond the horizon. As I come up, the angels say, “See we didn’t forget you!.” My dream ends abruptly right there and I awake feeling happy and encouraged. Since that time, I have never worried about God forgetting me."

Job 19:26
26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness

I Thessalonians 4: 13-18
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.