A Theological Fantasy - Continued
"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
- Proverbs 18:24 -
Dear friend,
If you've stumbled on this (not having read earlier installments), you'll need at least a brief introduction...
Hi there!
I'm Duncan, and I'm writing to you from the New Heavens and New Earth, sometimes called "The Glory."
This is the latest in series of letters that I hope will get you excited about what's in store in the incredible future Jesus our God has prepared for those who believe.
But, hey, if you want to know more, start at the beginning of the series by clicking here, OK?
This may possibly be one of the hardest letters I've had to write, simply because (from where you are now), what I have to tell you may be nearly impossible to imagine. So, I'd better get started.
The Pain of Flawed Relationships.
Image courtesy of Cristian Newman and http://unsplash.com
Although ~I~ haven't for many centuries,
for just a few minutes, I want you to think about pain — I'll go there with you, if only to help you understand.
I can remember the pain,
though it no longer troubles me.
Physical pain is one thing; but then there's emotional distress.
In the old, fallen age of the world, I found it far easier to tolerate the physical. The emotional pain I experienced, I found devastating.
The pain of betrayal —
the pain of being treated unfairly —
the pain of being despised —
That sort of pain was much harder to take.
The pain of loneliness... The pain of broken relationships.
Being belittled, ridiculed, verbally attacked. Having hurtful words hurled at me.
The pain of loneliness...
Image courtesy of Alexandre Chambon and http://unsplash.com
The pain was almost intolerable,
especially when it originated with those close to me.
Nevertheless, you must start to understand. You must begin to believe. The perennial pain of human relationships is now completely gone.
There is none of that here. None.
No broken marriages. No lost loves. No domineering bosses. No bullies. No betrayals. Not even so much as a snide comment, or a hurtful slight. Love has conquered all, in every dimension of every human relationship.
Now that Heaven has broken in, now that Heaven and Earth are unified, we are all at peace.
At peace with one another, and with God.
I know it may be hard to imagine, but it might help if you were to think back to the happiest time you ever had in the company of others.
Maybe it was a Christmas holiday, home from school. Or a special occasion, celebrated with friends and loved ones. Maybe it was a vacation. Think about the happiest, most peaceful, pleasant time you've ever experienced, a time you felt truly loved.
Every day here is better.
I want to describe your life to come, the blessed experience of perfect interpersonal relationships.
Friendship, perfect friendship...
Image courtesy of Hưng Nguyễn and http://unsplash.com
Believe it or not,
Every word here is spoken in kindness.
Every person you meet is your friend.
Each woman is your sister, every man, your brother.
At every turn, you find the father you never had, the loving mother you always wished for. They will not chide you, because you yourself are now the son or daughter, the man or woman, you always aspired to be.
When you travel,
your destinations are never foreign, they are only new. No matter where you may find yourself, you are no longer a stranger in a strange land. You are at home.
Have you heard the saying, "There's no place like home?" In our new, eternal ages, the reality is this:
"There's no place ~but~ home."
Everywhere you go, you are always at home. You feel at home. No one you meet is a stranger, each new acquaintance is one of your long-lost siblings. You are loved at first sight.
The Joys of Friendship.
Image courtesy of Clem Onojeghuo and http://unsplash.com
You are loved.
Universally, and without exception. You have no enemies.
Where ever you go, you feel safe, because you are safe. You can walk any street, alone, day or night.
You never have to think about reserving a hotel; just knock on any door, and find yourself welcomed with open arms, cared for, fed, and lodged.
Never again will you feel left out, overlooked, forgotten. Everyone around you loves you every bit as much as you love yourself.
You love them right back, and instantly emotionally bond with everyone you meet. Everyone!
Cared for, fed, and lodged. Anywhere.
Image courtesy of Toa Heftiba and http://unsplash.com
In the beginning, Jesus made man in his own image.
From eternity past, there was nothing but love among Father, Son, and Spirit. But because the image of God is infinitely glorious, perhaps it will help if you think of his image like this:
Imagine a sparkling gem with countless glorious facets. God is infinitely beautiful, interesting, capable, and skilled.
Being finite beings,
although Jesus formed each of us in his image, no one of us could possibly become everything that he is. And so, Jesus allocated a few of those brilliant facets of his personality to each of us.
Multifaceted Friends.
Image courtesy of Omar Lopez and http://unsplash.com
As we get to know each other here in the Glory, it is as if God is combining facets of his image in new and different ways that have never before been on display. Every pairing, every grouping of two, three, or more, reveals a new and different facet of God's infinite glory to the universe.
As we meet each new friend here,
we discover with delightful surprise, and share the way these facets of our personalities complement one another. God has prepared, in advance, for us to work together, to create together, to explore together, to make music together. We delight in our collaborative efforts every day and in every way.
Like the close friendship of Jonathan and David,
each new pairing of male friends becomes a new and exciting bromance. Each new relationship between women, a thrilling womance. Every grouping of two or more become a dynamic team, evidencing some perspective on the glory of God in new and dynamic ways.
Believe me, you want this.
It is beyond wonderful here.
The friendship, mutual love and respect, and the cooperative synergy of any combination of God's people is always and ever will be a multi-dimensional blessing to all involved. Alone or in combination, we are God's crown jewels on display for all creation to see.
I look forward to seeing you when you get here. Don't miss it!
Meanwhile, I'll go back to thoroughly enjoying my active "retirement," my "eternal rest" from all the misery of the old fallen age of the world.
The Sandpipers - "Come Saturday Morning"
Don't forget;
what I've told you here about interpersonal relationships in the Glory has been carefully reviewed before release into "the knowledge base" of old Earth. Some things may have been redacted, relegated to the DND (Do Not Disclose) list.
If you really want to find out what's been redacted, make your own arrangements with Jesus. That way, you'll be here one day yourself to experience it all.
So far,
I've told you about the wonder of relationships in general; but what about relations between men and women?
Scripture is quite clear that in the resurrection we retain our sexual identity. And, while this may be difficult for you to accept right now, every burgeoning male/female interaction in the Glory has all the amazing possibilities and wonder of becoming a romance.
What's that you say? There's no marriage in heaven?
Yes there most certainly is. And, provided they aren't redacted, I'm going to share whatever details I can with you...
What's that you say? Marriage in heaven?
Image courtesy of StockSnap and http://pixabay.com
Next time.
© 2017, Duncan Cary Palmer. All rights reserved.
"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him."
- Revelation 22:3 -
~=~FIN~=~
It took me a long time to realize, in my baby Christian life, that we may be alone - but never lonely. It also finally dawned on me, that emotional pain is the result, often enough, of focusing on self - and not on God. In its deepest meaning, its a form of pride - as hard as this may seem. But an exposé of Proverbs will quickly clarify.
If we exault humans over God, we will get hurt. Hmm - what's the first commandment?
Exceptional post, Duncan! Care to join me on God Waves to discuss the series for the full show (2 hours)?
Hi Chris,
I would love to discuss this series with you.
I believe that Heaven is one of the most under-valued, under-taught truths in all of Christendom. Our enemy has minimized and trivialized it in popular thought. Heaven has become so watered-down in our thinking that it has ceased to be a motivating factor in our day to day lives.
My heart's desire is that all Christians should have a much better grasp on their hope for the future.
When would you like to do this? I need to be sure I can set aside the time window... ;)
😄😇😄
Oh that's wonderful Duncan! Any week you would like to - I haven't set the theme for tomorrow yet. If thatt's too short to prep - next week would work as well. :) Stay blessed!
Hi Chris,
Sorry for the delayed response, I've been "out."
I would love to work with you tomorrow, if it isn't too late to throw my hat into the ring.
Please let me know?
And am I correct that the show is at 2PM Pacific Time?
Great Duncan - yes 2 Pacific. Perhaps we can chat at 1:30 pm on Skype? Just freely talk about your post series - which will be the center piece of the show. Feel also free to talk about your products to promote if you wish. We can meet earlier if you prefer.
Looking much forward to having you on!!!
Stay blessed!
Thanks, Chris... I'll look for you at 1:30 on Skype, God willing... :D
love this, creatr - The Dory Previn song made me sad - reminded me of a friend I recently lost - actually, this version conveys it best
:
Thanks for reminding me of the good times I had with him...
Hi John,
I'm so very sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose friends.
I love this song, because it captures so well the feelings I had as a boy when Saturday morning would arrive. I felt that the whole day was opening up before me, that I had a near infinite time of liberty to do the important things that I wanted to do....
This story hit all of my "owies"....every. one. of. them. I long to be free from emotional pain. I have my ruby shoes on - there's no place like home.
From one weary stranger in a strange land to another.....
Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away.....
There you go, making me smile again.... ;) :D
Quite uplifting creatr. What about marriages? Husbands and wife.? Are they married or sisters and brothers? Marcia and I wanted to marry on earth. I sure would like to feel we are married in the afterlife. I want to make it right for us.
Hi Troy,
I hope that the next installment will answer those questions for you in a satisfying way. I understand your pain, and I do believe it will be resolved. ;)
thanks for sharing keep it up