Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 October 2024

Reading From Luke 16-17:10

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”

–Luke 16:22-26

     Heaven is a place with angels and food but there is a “great chasm” separating it from Hell, a place of torment and eternal separation from the Presence of God.  Notice that Abraham reveals to us that no one can cross from Hell to Heaven or vice versa.  The urgency in responding to the Gospel while we are within our present reality comes from the fact that salvation is by grace through faith.  It is appointed for man to die once and after that to face the judgment.  When we transition by death into the spirit realm, faith becomes sight. 

     Faith as in trust will always endure for those who followed Jesus on Earth, but faith as in believing in what is not seen can only be experienced here.  To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord either for eternal unity and harmony with Him or to attend the judgment and be sent away from Him forever.  Our destiny depends on who we choose to serve in this life.  Choose wisely.

“Lord God, I pray that our faith would increase and that we would trust You all the more.  Thank You for preparing for us a place to be with You forever.  Our reward is You.  It will be enough just to be forever enveloped in Your love and light.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.”

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 –John 14:1-3