Joe had no idea where he was or even why he was where he was. The scene before him was one he could not relate to from past experience, nor had he seen anything like it before. He found he couldn’t recall anything at all about where he had been or what he was doing in the time frame that immediately preceded the incident where he was at this very moment. He was confused and perplexed by the entire situation where he now found himself to be.

Joe did not remember that the car he was driving had been struck on the driver’s side by another auto traveling at excessive speed as it ran a red light and slammed into his car at an intersection in the city where he lived. Moreover, he did not realize that his earthly body was lying now in a hospital room bed on the brink that lies between life and death. He did not see that he was surrounded by worried and shocked family members and friends who were painfully coming to the realization that their beloved husband, father and friend might leave them without them having an opportunity to say goodbye to their companion of many years.

What Joe saw ahead of him was a line of other people that stretched out ahead of him as far as he could see. The people were male and female of all ages, with the exception that he did not see any young children. They appeared to be of all races and nationalities but were not grouped as such. Each individual was solitary with no partner or others beside them. He saw that the line was not made up only of people, but also a vast number of trailers, like huge wagons the size of dump trucks. These trailers were grouped in bunches behind each individual person. The number of trailers behind each person varied greatly, with some having a few trailers behind them and others having a large number behind them. But, every person had trailers behind them. Not one single person that he could see was strictly in line with no trailers behind them.

It was readily apparent that each trailer was heaped to the top with some sort of refuse or garbage. It was difficult to ascertain exactly what it was composed of, but it was definitely rotten, putrid and gave off a repulsive odor that filled the air. Amazingly, the rotting cargo in the trailers seemed to be making noises, a kind of garbled din composed of many sounds so confused and jumbled that discerning what made up the sounds was unintelligible. Joe strained to hear the sound more clearly and he felt here and there he could make out the sound of human voices. No distinct words could be determined however. Each person in line was actually pulling the load of trailers behind them, no matter how many trailers were connected. It seemed impossible that one person alone could actually move such a ponderous weight, and yet each person was. Strangely enough, the road upon which they traveled was clean. No garbage littered it and all refuse remained inside each individual’s trailers.

He turned his head to look behind him and saw that the line behind, which meandered into the distance, was as long, if not longer, than the one ahead. To his disgust, he saw that he had his own load behind him. He could not determine how many trailers he was pulling, but the load was considerable judging by the effort he had to exert to move it forward. He tried to let go of the handle to free himself of the burden, but all efforts to free his hand from the handle were futile. Now that he had discovered his own load of decaying freight behind him, he noticed sounds coming from his garbage as well, and he felt certain he could make out the sound of his own voice mixed in with the cacophony of other sounds coming from it.

Despite the incredible number of people in the line and the enormous number of trailers being hauled along, the line moved at a steady pace and presently Joe saw that he had crossed over a low ridge. The ridge now obscured the view of what lay behind him, but he could now make out what was ahead. It was obvious that ahead, a ways off, the line divided with some people and their trailers moving off to the left and others moving off to the right. As he approached the dividing point, it became obvious that far more of the crowd was moving to the left then the right.  He could also discern that those moving in the leftward direction were apparently headed toward a destination from which a huge, monstrous plume of smoke and ash billowed out hundreds of feet into the air. In and out of the smoke soared carrion birds and other fowl beasts of unknown origin. Moreover, when the breeze shifted in his direction, the stench from that area was so overpowering and nauseating it was virtually unbearable, and he felt himself gag and retch when the horrid, burning smell entered his nostrils.

He got so caught up in gazing at the site to the left of him that when he turned his face back forward, he found he was facing an otherworldly being which was human in form, though definitely not human. The figure was tall, close to seven feet, was powerfully built, had a commanding air about it, and was clothed in a white robe of sorts that seemed to shimmer as with light in all colors of the spectrum when it moved. Though certainly never having personally faced one, Joe felt certain this being was angelic for lack of any other description. He felt positively inferior in its presence, though not due to any other action on the part of the angelic being. Joe found it difficult to look the individual fully in the face and to meet its gaze square on. The being held a large scroll in his hands and he gazed at Joe intently for a few extended moments in an expressionless fashion devoid of any outward display of emotion. Joe was speechless. The figure then spoke Joe’s full name and at this time Joe noticed the slightest smile appear on its face, a smile that seemed to imply recognition and satisfaction in a pleasurable way, with no edge of harshness in it. With nothing further, the being motioned with his right hand for Joe to move to the right.

No sooner had Joe turned and began moving his load to the right, he found himself facing another angelic-type figure equally as impressive in countenance, stature and bearing as the first. Joe noticed that this being had the same sort of smile on his face as the first, though slightly different as the two were of different facial appearance. He moved toward Joe, which startled and unnerved him somewhat. When the figure moved his hand toward him, Joe positively shrank back in response, although the angel did not appear to be threatening or menacing in any fashion. At once, the being spoke to Joe in a voice that was strong and powerful, yet altogether calming and assuring at the same time. “Do not be afraid. There is no need to fear and I mean you no harm,” the angel said, and as he continued reaching out he laid his hand on top of Joe’s, which were still fixed tight to the trailers he was pulling behind him. Immediately, Joe felt his grip on the load loosen and his hands were freed from the burden. ” I will take these now,” the figure spoke, “you will not need them any longer.” Not at all sorry to be freed of the trailers full of rotten, decaying matter, with its putrid stench and unnerving sounds emanating from it, Joe readily complied. “What are you going to do with it?” Joe asked out of curiosity more than anything else. He certainly did not want to regain possession of it. “What is in those trailers? It is awful!!” Joe exclaimed. The being looked at Joe intently for a few moments and replied with some consideration, “It is a cargo which, unbeknownst to you, has been hauled around by you for your entire life, though you may not have been aware of it. Agreed, it is as foul and rotten as anything you could ever conceive of yet, at many times, you considered it quite valuable and you contributed to its volume on a daily basis. It is now of absolutely no use to anyone, including you, but it nonetheless has been purchased from you at a very, very valuable price; for you Joe, are one of the elect. It is and will be of no use to you where you are going and I am in charge of sending it now to be destroyed where it will be no longer thought of or remembered.” “But, where am I going?” Joe asked, somewhat confused and bewildered by all of this. “You know,” was all that was replied and Joe was motioned by his guide to the right. Joe moved in that direction but when he turned to look behind him, the angel and his trailers of refuse we’re no longer to be seen.

Joe looked to find a path or road to follow but there was none visible that he could see. Still, he took off in the general direction the second angelic being had indicated. The farther he moved along he noticed a narrow path that was now plainly evident. It led off toward the horizon, but the horizon did not seem to Joe’s senses to be too far away, though it did not seem to approach him closer as he moved toward it.

Joe’s family has finished confirming with his doctor who informed them in a solemn, hushed tone that Joe’s brain was no longer functioning in a cognitive manner. In short, he was now in a vegetative state. It was only a short matter of time before his brain would cease functioning even in that capacity and he would require artificial respiration and cardiac support to maintain life. After a short private talk and prayer among themselves, they informed the doctor that Joe would not prefer to be kept alive this way. They asked that he only be kept free from pain and not to revive him once his natural body functions ceased. The doctor quietly received their wishes, and after some words of comfort to them left to inform the attending staff of Joe’s family’s decision.

Joe did not remember traveling very far on that little path. He did not recognize going through any door or passage or through a barrier or passing any markers, nothing to indicate he had passed through and arrived. Yet all of the sudden, as from one instant to the next, he just … was not there or here. He just was. As Joe’s body below breathed its last breath, he crossed over into another place, another time, another dimension that seemed to expand in all directions and yet comfortingly closed in around him all at the same time. He had arrived where which was and is and is to come. The whole sensation was beyond all description. It was everything. It was everything he had ever imagined and everything he had not imagined. He was awestruck.

Simultaneously, upon recognition of his arrival, there arose a tremendous shout of deafening volume that came from the voices of thousands upon millions of voices. The sound was composed from voices speaking in all different languages and dialects, if that’s what they were, but Joe recognised what was being shouted. “Welcome Joe! Welcome!” The multitude of voices immediately broke into a song of music, none like which Joe had ever heard before. Joe was speechless as he beheld the spectacle unfolding before him. The crowd seemed to part a bit and from the midst came a sublimely, regal figure, yet humble at the same instant. He was truly radiant with light that not so much surrounded Him, but emanated from Him so that all was illuminated through Him. He smiled at Joe as He approached him. Joe was immediately overcome with a flood of emotions that he could barely contain. He felt everything all at once, and he knew he was in the presence of his Savior and Lord. He was here, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain, the Alpha and Omega. His face possessed every quality that was good and right and pure. It was the epitome of Love visualized. Just looking at him, Joe felt everything good that he ever remembered and more, so much more. Joe felt at peace. Jesus took Joe’s hand into His own nail-scarred hands, pulled him close and said, “Welcome, Joe. You are home now.”  

Holding fast,

Mark

To us, the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us has been his sending his only son into the world to give us life through him. We see real love, not in the fact that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to make personal atonement (forgiveness) for our sins.  (1 John 4:9-10, JB Phillips version)

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Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV)

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For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV)

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Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells. Therefore beloved, looking forward to these things, diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13-14 NKJV)

 

^{Photography by Unknown}