Perhaps you will forgive the personal nature of this week’s commentary. Or, as I hope, maybe it will strike a common chord among those who are Heaven-bound.
I write this with a longtime friend in mind who shared the love of God in so many ways. Particularly, she loved God’s prophetic Word, and even more so the pre-Trib view of eschatology as presented by those who write for our website.
I’ve been expecting her home-going for quite some time due to her ill health and rapid deterioration. Nonetheless, I was more or less blindsided when my daughter informed me that my friend had passed away. I suppose one never gets easily past someone who is close leaving us, even if that person is a believer and you know they are now safe at home.
My friend, Gail Blackburn, lost her husband, Tom, not long ago. It was obvious when we talked on several occasions since Tom’s passing that Gail was looking forward to being free of the pain and crippled state she suffered and being with her beloved Tom again. She is now in that eternal realm and is enjoying life exactly as she was ready to accept.
God’s will was always in Gail’s servant’s heart. I know this as fact, because when we were on the phone, we discussed time and time again just what the Lord meant to her.
I am in a habit of saving voicemails I get from those I love on occasion, and today I have listened to a couple from Gail. Her love for Christ and all He had done for her was obvious even when she was simply leaving a message for me to call back when I could.
Part of Gail’s special gifts was the interest she took in helping guide younger women in helping them nurture their children.
Angie, in informing me of her passing away, wrote the following: “What an incredibly special woman and friend she was. I learned things from her as a young mom that have carried me through all phases of parenting and marriage.”
I’m certain this will be the thoughts of the many she touched over the years.
For me, she loved to talk about Jesus coming again in the Rapture. The Lord obviously wanted her next to Him before that glorious event, so she will be on the front line of the saints to greet those who are chosen to take part as those still alive at that magnificent moment.
You and I hope to be in that throng, of course. That’s why we are “Rapture ready,”as our website’s name indicates.
It has been conjectured, and I believe, that when Jesus calls us to Himself (Revelation 4:1), those still alive will somehow arrive at that face-to-face meeting with our Lord and Savior at precisely the moment those who have gone through the portal of death will see His wonderful face. God’s eternal realm is outside of the thing called time that He created for man. Anything is possible in that eternal sphere.
So we will see Gail, Tom, and all others gone before. And we will know each other as well as we know our own family members here on earth—even though we never met and even lived in other centuries.
What a glorious home-going that will be!
“But 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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For 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. For 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: Then 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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Beautiful article Terry. I so enjoy hearing about born again believers who have taken their first step into the glorious realm of Heaven. I so long for Heaven in these evil last days/hours we have left in this God rejecting world. I feel that we are so very close to hearing that trumpet that will call us HOME. I try to keep my eyes on Jesus because He is the only thing that truly matters in this life. I am looking forward to meeting you in our Heavenly Home. You have been a great blessing to me. God bless you Terry🙏🏻
Thank you, Terry, for this wonderful commentary. We have all lost brothers’ and sisters in Chris and this article hits home. I know my husband and I am looking forward to that blessed day we will all be home, PERMANTLY! Thank you again. God bless you and your family,
Terry, thanks so much for sharing your memories of your friend Gail. What a precious servant of God. We too, long for the day we will hear the last trumpet. Surely that will be soon. In the meantime, may God bless your efforts to strengthen the faithful and to reach out to the lost. “Behold, I come quickly!” Come Lord Jesus!
Even if we have never met here on this earth, I am certain we will recognize each other on the other side. We will know even as also we have been known, is my hope. I am certain I will recognize Jesus by the love I see in His eyes. I have felt it especially during hard trials. May you find ongoing comfort in your memories and faith.
I think the account of the Transfiguration bears this out, Carolyn.
Mark {9:2} And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured
before them. {9:3} And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. {9:4} And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. {9:5} And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Note how Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elias (Elijah) even though they had NEVER met them! It is also unlikely there were any kind of pictorial records – remember the second commandment regarding making images?
How about that!
Longing for that day!!!
Me, too.
And meeting you in person, too.
Amazing! Amazing grace! Amazing power! Amazing Lord Jesus!!!
I had never thought of that before, thank you, that is so comforting. I have only one friend who has died in the Lord, despite my advanced years, and I was wondering if I would remember what she looked like.
What a lovely eulogy, thank you Terry.
The generation that sees the “Fig Tree” (Israel) blossom shall not pass before the Son of man cometh!
That generation is the WWII generation(greatest ever)who saw the Fig Tree blossom on May 14, 1948. Their offspring is the “Boomer” generation-myself and many who read this, but the WWII generation is quickly passing away. Years ago, it was estimated they were passing at the rate of 1000-1200/day, now its probably 3-4 times that number. Soon they’ll all be gone! The Bible tells us that God destroyed the earth(human beings) in the Flood and presumably altered-changed human DNA, shortening lifespans to no more than 70 years(on average) to 80 years if by strength they shall live-again on average.
No human being in recorded history, at least, ever witnessed a “nation” being born in 1 day except the WWII generation, 70-80 years fast forward from modern day Israel’s birthday on May 14, 1948, and we come to the present age, circa 2018 – 2028.
Much has and will be debated eschatologically concerning Bible prophecy and events unfolding in our lifetime concerning what Jesus said quoting, “when you see these things he spoke of happening in the last days, look up for your redemption draws near”. These “things” have been happening chronologically since May 14, 1948, and have only speeded up, increasing in frequency since that time.
Jesus would not have people living at the time of the “end of the age of Grace” be ignorant to something as
important as He foretold in the Olivet Discourse(see attached-Mathew 24). As a smart person, God gave you the intellect to understand or discern. Likewise, He would not have told the Apostles vague or uncertain references concerning the times he was speaking of, or to confuse a yet unborn, future generation, us, to be uncertain as to the nearness of His return!
This “Age of Grace” is coming to an end, and you don’t want to be here on Earth during the worst period in human history-the 7-year Tribulation! Put your faith in the Lord-John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10.
Sorry, for extended reply as I was getting ready to post on F.B. I posted the Olivet Discourse August, 2016. Your story above very comforting I lost my brother in 2020, and he was the one to introduce Jesus(Yeshua) to us. My Dad was a Jew, we were raised in Judaism. My Mom was Methodist. One thing also, I had a Joel 2:28 moment, as I like to call it. It occurred to me what the Bible says about the whole world witnessing the 2 Witnesses being resurrected in Jerusalem after 3 days being dead during the Tribulation. This is only possible with what’s happening concerning Starlink’s satellites orbiting virtually world-wide. I googled estimated completion date for this-below is what I found!!
SYDNEY, June 22 (Reuters) – (This June 22 story was refiled to correct Shotwell’s surname.)
Starlink, the satellite internet unit of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, expects to be able to provide continuous global coverage by around September but will then need to seek regulatory approvals, its president Gwynne Shotwell said on Tuesday.
“We’ve successfully deployed 1,800 or so satellites and once all those satellites reach their operational orbit, we will have continuous global coverage, so that should be like September timeframe,” she told a Macquarie Group (MQG.AX) technology conference via webcast.
Excellent comments, Dave.
I also agree that the “Boomer” generation is the key one, the one that will see all the pre-Trib signs Jesus spoke of and there is a good possibility that they all must happen before the last of those who saw Israel restored has died.
Of course, certainly could happen before them any time at all now.
Thank you for that information, considering I was born in 1943, I am sure you can appreciate how keen I am to go home?!
You are welcome. I am only nine years younger and this world holds little appeal for me, either.
I can’t believe how bad it has gotten, but what is especially surprising is how FAST things have deteriorated.
The “birth pangs” analogy referring to the last days in the Bible is absolutely right.
I love hearing these kinds of stories. The people in them encourage and lift me up. I feel like I just took a breath that was so relaxing when I read things like this. Thank you for sharing and may God bless you and your family! Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray Your will be done in the people’s lives who read these inspiring messages. Amen
Amen
Having just lost my wonderful mother I found your commentary incredibly timely – and greatly comforting, Terry.
I truly believe that Mom’s been walking those golden streets of New Jerusalem for just over a month now, seeing Jesus face to face and all the people she cared about over the years. She was a very giving person all her life, despite many disappointments and setbacks.
She and her mother (who died in 1990) were the ones that took me to church when I was a little kid and it was there that I first experienced God’s Presence in a deeply personal way.
When I was 6 years old, I was in Sunday school and we were singing “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” I looked out the window into a deep blue springtime sky, punctuated by big, white cumulus clouds drifting slowly across it. In that instant, I KNEW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that everything that simple, beautiful song said was absolutely true!
God really WAS there and he did indeed make “All Things Bright and Beautiful!”
That included Mom and Nana.
Thank you, Jesus, for letting them be such a big part of my life – and for giving your up your own life so we can one day be together again!
Priceless, thank you Ed, especially your last sentence.
You are welcome – and thank you for these and your other kind words.
God bless.
How BEAUTIFULLY written, Terry ! I love to imagine how it will be for ME when we are raptured. I have waited for 48 years to see my husband again. I imagine myself throwing myself in Jesus’ arms, hugging and thanking Him over and over for giving His life for me. Then, at an appropriate moment, I can see myself peering over His shoulder, and seeing my parents alongside my husband……who has a Cheshire Cat grin on his face as he gives me a big Thumb’s Up Sign. I have imagined this for years.
Being ill myself, people have asked why I don’t just stop my meds. and supplements, since I am a Christian and want to BE with Jesus. As much as I want to BE with Him, there is ONE thing stopping me from hanging it up in this life……..and that one thing is NOT my family ! It is that I am DOGGEDLY determined to “ experience “ being in the Rapture !!!!! And that determination, hopefully, will carry me through !
Hope your Sunday has been blessed. I got blessed today by JD Farag AND by Brandon Holthaus. WOW !
Love you, brother, Carol Cole Atlanta
Sent from my iPad
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A great exciting reality waits all who know the Lord as told in this story. Such a wonderful promise. I will be able to see Rex again. I am full of goose bumps! Last week had a knee replacement and am in much pain as I recover but one day I will have a complete body makeover without any pain, only joy!. Thanks for the reminder.
Sadness for family. We are Heaven Bound in Christ Jesus.
My husband Chuck went home a year and a half ago. So he got to know Gail and Tom before I get to meet them. Sorry for your loss, but nice to know you will see them soon. Blessings