It’s interesting that if you look up the words dread or anticipation, they both start out with the same definition – “looking forward to something with -either fear or expectation.” I get to have a root canal on Tuesday, and I’m definitely looking forward to it with something! But, as much as I’m “not looking forward to” the actual procedure, I am looking forward to Tuesday night when it’s over.
Many folks feel the same way about dying. You know the saying, “Everybody wants to go to heaven – just nobody wants to go right now!” I feel so sorry for Christians who dread dying. Leaving this old world is what I’ve been working towards my whole life! Now, that doesn’t mean that I want to leave my family and friends. No, I want them to be with me in heaven!
I think most people dread dying because we can’t talk to someone who’s “been there and done that.” We won’t know exactly what happens until, well, it happens! But we can know that we won’t be alone. In Luke 16, when the beggar died, he was “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” What an escort! John assured us in First John 5:13 that “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Heaven – mansions – streets of gold – in the presence of God – Anticipation! God Bless, Courtney