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So Long
October 22, 2011

My grandfather refused to say “goodbye”; he felt the word was too final. So, when we would drive away after family visits, his farewell ritual was always the same. Standing in front of the green ferns that lined his house, he would wave and call out, “So long”!

As believers, we never have to say “goodbye” to the ones we love, as long as they have placed their trust in Jesus as Savior. The Bible promises that we will see them again.

The apostle Paul said that we should not “sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13), because when Jesus returns, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves and—together with the believers who are still alive—will meet the Lord in the air (vv.15-17). We have confidence that one day in heaven there will be “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Rev. 21:4). It’s in that wonderful place that “we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17).

Christians have the hope of an eternal reunion with Christ and with believing loved ones who have passed away. That’s why Paul exhorted us to “comfort one another with these words” (v.18). Today, encourage someone with the hope that allows us to say “so long,” instead of “goodbye.”

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting—
Beyond the sunset forevermore. —Brock

At death, God’s people don’t say “Goodbye,”
but “We’ll see you later.”

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

[Do not] sorrow as others who have no hope. —1 Thessalonians 4:13

Bible in a year:
Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

Thank you for todays daily bread. I look forward to a new one each day. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever...” (Deut. 29:29).”
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This is not explicitly addressed in Scripture to my knowledge. So how I deal with such subjects ... is not declare it either way. God knows. We will be in heaven we will know God and likely we will live in love, truth, peace, and joy with all those there with us. Whatever will be, will be His will, and I trust it will be for good. "Eye has not seen ..."

1 Corinthians 2-9. "But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ..." ____________________________________________________________ After we are in Heaven, it is a whole new way. “There is neither marriage or given in marriage”. ... “the former things have passed away”.

I do wonder .. but I do not dwell on it. His word gives us great hope within us, and it is natural for us to think with our finite minds, the things that would make us happy or what we would like to believe.

I look forward to heaven with great expectations. Alleluia Amen.