Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

24 May 2025

Reading From John 8:28-59

“The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”—John 8:48-53

If a person follows Jesus, even though their physical body will eventually die, their spirit lives on and is immediately in the Presence of the Father. I believe that God is the Creator of all things, including time and space. Therefore, He is not limited by the constraints of our present reality.

When a child of God dies physically, their spirit enters the spiritual realm and time passes for them for what seems to be an instant. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. At the resurrection, our spirits will be reunited with our bodies to become glorified, resurrected bodies and we will enjoy life with God in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“Thank You God for the blessed hope we have in Your glorious appearing. Strength and empower us to endure to the end, faithful to You. We know there will be times when we falter and fail. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy to us. You are faithful always and we are so grateful. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.—II Peter 3:8-9

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

—II Corinthians 5:6-10