THE GRAND REUNION
After watching a video of Israeli families welcoming home released hostages, my daughter-in-law Kellie texted, “I could watch these all day… Makes me long for heaven.”
I agree. That unrestrained joy—the tears, embraces, and laughter of loved ones reunited—is a small glimpse of the grand reunion awaiting believers in the New Jerusalem.
The Bible says we will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the coming kingdom (see Matthew 8:11). If we’ll recognize the patriarchs we’ve never met, we will certainly recognize and rejoice with those we’ve loved on earth.
An old hymn declares, “Friends will be there I have loved long ago; joy like a river around me will flow. Yet just a smile from my Savior I know will through the ages be glory for me.” To see Jesus face to face and thank Him for bearing our sin will be glory enough. But it thrills me to imagine reuniting with my parents, my sister, faithful friends, and church members who’ve gone on ahead. “That will be glory for me!”
Voddie Baucham once reminded preachers that our main task is simple: “To prepare people to meet God and live forever.” The hope of heaven empowers us to live victoriously now. Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. (Hebrews 11:26)
So, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
God promises, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)
He will reward the righteous, bring justice to the wronged, and “wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
“…Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
I like to imagine an arrival board at heaven’s gate. Our loved ones already know the moment of our arrival and are planning a grand welcome-home celebration. Jesus promised, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) Don’t let pride keep you from accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Don’t miss that grand reunion for the world.
Many songs remind us to live with heaven in view—“We Will Dance,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Homesick for Heaven.” But my favorite is “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham. Listen and renew your hope today.
Hymn of Heaven
Verse 1
How I long to breathe the air of Heaven
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the One who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity
Chorus 1
There will be a day when all will bow before Him
There will be a day when death will be no more
Standing face to face with He who died and rose again
Holy holy is the Lord
Verse 2
And every prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear
ln the end we’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears
Verse 3
And on that day we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice a thousand generations
Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Forever He shall reign
Chorus 2
So let it be today we shout the hymn of heaven
With angels and the saints we raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God, Who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy holy is the Lord
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Holy, holy is the Lord
Holy, holy is the Lord
@2020 Phil Wickham Music, Simply Global Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing) Songs For TIM, Chris Oavenport Publishing Designee (Adm in by Gapito! CMG Publishing) Bethel Music Publishing CCLI Song No.
