Rachel Et Cetera

Early this morning, a dear friend and servant of God passed from this life into the next. All day yesterday I was thinking about Heaven, and even posted a small excerpt from Spurgeon concerning what God has laid up for us in Heaven. We sang about Heaven in the evening service, and when I woke this morning, I found that someone closely associated with my family was already in Heaven, face-to-face with our Lord. I wonder what he is seeing right this instant?

But Bro. Purks will be sorely missed, especially by his dear wife, children, and grandchildren. His life has affected many, and I know that there are hundreds of people across the world that are saddened by the suddenness of it all. Yet we'll see him again very soon!

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

It is very saddening, especially for those who were his close friends and will miss him so. These verses give comfort - we don't have to sorrow as those who have no hope! We still sorrow, for he is leaving a gap which will be felt by many, yet we do have hope.... hope that we will see him again, and will be with him for eternity!