“So while the religious establishment plotted Jesus’ downfall, God’s plan to bring all humanity back to him was gathering speed. Heaven’s gates began to open, ready to receive all who would come in through Jesus Christ the Son.” [pg. 158] Joanna's words trigger dynamic pictures in my mind. Images that leave you needing more words to describe how much they impact you, just like the passage below. Imagine John's surprise when you read his attempts to describe what he saw. John wrote, "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Revelation 4.1 ‘Come up here?’ What would you say to that? ‘Come up where?’ ‘To see what?’ How could you imagine what was coming? Heaven’s gates were prepared in all their splendor to open ~ and to remain open. The gates of Heaven welcome those who believe. More than a miracle. More than a wild dream. A profound, amazing reality. From the time of the garden God had one goal ~ to bring His children back home, much like the need for gathering that we feel around the holidays. At birthdays and holidays my goal is to bring all my children, and their children, home to our house ~ the place where they grew up, the place I loved, nurtured and held them. But now, at least for that one short day, we can have them all together again. To make new memories. To experience them as adults of such quality and beauty. To plant our memory with our future generations. “...God’s plan [was] to bring all humanity back to him…” as those gates were then, they are now ~ open wide. Waiting for each loved one to finally walk through. There is no time when our doors are shut to our children, and Scripture tells us there is no time when the doors of heaven are closed. And those doors, each one a single, giant pearl, exemplify the love and glory waiting just beyond. It all stands in regal display, as it did for John, trumpeting the life waiting ahead for us. For us! Open wide. Never, ever to close. Will all your children join you there at that last, and forever, family gathering? Will each one walk through? If not, you can join God in that work. Pray for them. Everyday. ~ Andi
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