Doorway to Heaven

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

We are . . . well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:8

In his book God Cares for You, Walter B. Knight gives this account of the memorial service in 1929 for the widely known Bible teacher and author F. B. Meyer:

"London has seldom witnessed a funeral such as was held for him. There was not a single note of grief or tragedy heard. The Scriptures all spoke of the Christian's hope of immortality; and Easter hymns were sung. As the organ began to play at the conclusion of the service, the vast audience rose and stood with bowed heads, waiting for the funeral march to begin. But to their surprise they heard the triumphant notes of the 'Hallelujah Chorus.' What music could have been more appropriate! A faithful soldier of the cross had been ushered into the presence of his King."

Many people are terrified by the thought of dying. It is looked upon as the most tragic of all our human experiences. To be sure, there's pain in being separated from those who are dear to us. The physical discomfort that sometimes accompanies dying is not pleasant to endure. At times our faith may falter as we lose sight of the glory that awaits us. That's why we must never forget that death for the Christian is but the doorway to heaven! --RWD