WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE END OF MY LIFE’S JOURNEY?

SCRIPTURE:
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him 
to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 
(Luke 16:22)

MEDITATION:
We can learn a lot 
when we take the time to meditate on the teachings of Jesus.
For instance, have you ever wondered 
about the transition from an earthly life to your heavenly home?
We have never been there and we cannot talk to anyone who has been there, 
so what should we expect?

Hopefully we have accepted God’s gift of salvation 
and have lived our life with anticipation of being with Him in heaven, 
but what will the transition be like?
We know that we will leave behind our friends and loved ones on earth 
and journey to a place we’ve never been, but will we be alone?

In the book of Luke, 
Jesus tells us something very interesting that should calm our anxieties. 
“When the beggar died, the angels carried him to Abraham’s side”. 
When the beggar (Lazarus) died, 
the angels were waiting to escort him through the gates of heaven!
How comforting is that?

More than likely, Jesus is giving us some insight 
into what we can expect as we transition from our earthly life 
to the place Jesus has prepared for us in heaven.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told 
you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and 
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that 
you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3)

In His teachings, Jesus also talks about a rich man 
who had not received God’s gift of salvation and as a result, 
he was not escorted into heaven by the angels.
Even worse He was sentenced to an eternal life of torment in Hades. 
In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, 
with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity 
on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my 
tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ (Luke 16:23-24)

We can sense his agony and read about his request for relief, 
but look at the reply he received from heaven.
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your 
good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here 
and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm 
has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, 
nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ (Luke 16:25-26)

Upon finding out that he was hopelessly condemned, 
we can see his fear of others joining him in that horrible place.
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not 
also come to this place of torment.’ (Luke 16:27-28)

The reply from heaven was that God had provided people 
to warn them of the dangers of rejecting God’s offer of salvation.
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; 
let them listen to them.’ (Luke 16:29)

The rich man was convinced that if they heard from someone who had died, 
they would realize the importance of receiving God’s gift of salvation. 
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, 
‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ (Luke 16:30)

But again, the response from heaven was discouraging.
The rich man was told that if they had already decided that salvation is not 
for them, then hearing a message from the dead would not change their mind.
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they 
will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31)

ACTION:
In these twelve short verses, 
we can learn a lot about what to expect at the end our earthly life.
For those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation, 
there are angels ready to escort us to our new home in heaven.

However, for those who refuse to accept God’s gift of grace,
they will be sentenced to an eternity of torment and separation from God.
They have chosen to be separated from Him on earth, 
so their choice continues after they leave the earth.

In which of these two groups do you belong?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of angels walking with me 
into heaven if I belong to You. If I have refused to accept Your gift of 
salvation, I want to repent right now! Father, I want to live a life close 
to You now so that I can look forward to seeing You in heaven when my 
time on earth has ended. Forgive me for all of my sinfulness and help me 
to make an earthly transition now, so that I can make a heavenly transition 
later. I love You and as best as I know how, I repent of my sins and accept 
Your gift of salvation. Help me to start living close to You, and for You 
for the rest of my life. Teach me how to use the spiritual gifts you have 
given me to point others to Your Son, Jesus Christ.”