(A study in memory of John N. Thomas and Gail Memos who went to be with the Lord in February 2006)
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24
We all know many people who change their place of residence just so they can be near their children and grandchildren. Such a motivation helps us understand John 17:24. God wants his John 1:12 children to be with Him therefore it is not death to die and midst the brotherhood on high to be at home with God. No wonder the Bible tells us that for the Christian the cemetery is not a defeat (I Cor. 15:55).
Now John 17:24 is one of the many Biblical texts to explain why God thinks of death as “precious” i.e. something of tremendous value. That is the meaning of the word in Psalms 116:15 - “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”
This introduces one word - why?
1. God regards death as the final journey in the will of God. Jesus Christ said, “I will- they be with me.” The moment we come into the family of God our first question should be “Lord what do you want me to do? (Acts 9:6) In view of that the remainder of our time here on great planet earth should be a I John 2:17 existence - “He who does the will of God abides forever.”
This is the reason a study of the spiritual gifts (not talents) is so important (ask about the Songtime Series “Gifts From God”). When you discover your involvement in I Cor 12:7 then you know you are on the road marked “Will of God.”
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”
Why does God think of death as precious?
2. God knows exactly what will happen the moment we come into his presence. Have you ever considered John 17:24 as the great surprise party in your future? Jesus said,
“I will - they be with me that they may behold my Glory” - That tells me 2 things about death for a believer:
a) It is absence of all the negatives of life because it is total occupation with Jesus Christ. Here on great planet earth the satanic team tries to occupy us with self, things and people. This is the reason why that plaque is so popular -”The more I see of people the better I like my dog” - That will change in Heaven.
b) There is not a debate about the discovery our loved ones in Heaven at this very moment - “In His presence is fullness of joy - and pleasures forevermore.”
Think of the most positive moment you ever had. For sport fans maybe it was that moment after 86 years the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. For minutes - even hours some of us didn’t have a negative thought. Even though this is a very imperfect illustration such a positive moment goes on forever and forever in Heaven. I love the way C.S. Lewis described it:
“For us this is the end of all the stories but for them it is only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world had only been the cover and the title page. Now at last — they are beginning chapter one of the great story which no one on earth has read - which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before”
That tells me that I may cry at the cemetery but could the sorrow really be the realization of what they are enjoying and I am missing?
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Help for the Hurting
In view of God’s view of death as the grand finale in the Will of God (John 17:24) we need to do the following:
1. Understand what hinders our concept of John 17:24 - one word: worldliness which is defined in I John 2:16 as occupation with pleasure, position and possessions.
2. Discover the will of God and do it. That begins by discovering your spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:7) and then exercising them. Don’t try to substitute for your gift - techniques such as over work or running from one situation to another. STOP - do the will of God and soon the Holy Spirit will give you that sense of eternal investment (I John 2:17). The reward is Romans 15:32: “that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.”
3. Don’t sorrow as the world does. Eventually, if necessary, ask God to help you move from the temporal to the eternal and begin to grasp the significance of John 17:24. How could we deny someone that great experience?
4. Invest in sharing the Gospel with a I Thess. 2:19-20 mindset: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
We need to forget our problems and consider the challenge of Charles Spurgeon - “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for.”
5. Accept Ephesians 5:18 as a command, not an option. Very soon the Holy Spirit will give us not the temporal but the eternal concept.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and HE WILL TELL YOU THINGS TO COME”
As we approach Easter, let us do it, not by spending hundreds of dollars on the new wardrobe, but with the reality of John 11:25-26 (after all our wardrobe in Heaven will surpass anything Macy’s or Neiman Marcus could offer, as you’ll see in I John 3:2):
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Do we really understand that text? God knows NOW if we do. According to II Corinthians 8:8 the world will know when our will is read!
Hear John DeBrine speak Sunday May 21, 2006 at Andover Baptist Church, 7 Central St, Andover, MA 10am service.