Darlene Frain; What About the Future?

The Past

Memories and favorite stories

What Happened?

John 14:

John 14:1–4 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

No trouble

From the disciples’ perspective,

Jesus knew times like these would trouble us. He was about to leave for Heaven and the disciples wandered if that was it.

Would that be the last time they saw Him and experienced His care?

NO! He wanted to assure them of this.

From Darlene’s perspective she wasn’t troubled.

Darlene believes in Jesus. So, the move home and into hospice didn’t trouble her. She knew where she was going.

Except, she did apologize to Gail for leaving her here.

What about us, though?

Darlene was a trooper. You’d never know how much pain she was in. Her lung issues, back issues didn’t slow her down.

The last week was kind of hard.

For those of us who cared about her and cared for her it was troubling. But, just for a few days.

It could have been much worse, but we knew where she was headed!

Her Father’s house

What has Jesus been doing since He left the first time?

Besides running the universe, saving people, protecting and preserving those He saved...

…preparing a room for us.

He got Darlene’s done in time and it is decorated for her.

And, Jesus was there to show her to her new room.

What would be in it?

Once she got over the shock and joy of her own room you think she’s just going to sit around the house?

Not Darlene.

What’s she going to do?

There is a Lot to Explore

Revelation 21:1–7 NIV

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will 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.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Revelation

Revelation 21:6–7 NIV

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

All New

Whatever we get used to here will be long gone.

The beauty we’re used to seeing in the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Arches, and the rest of earth will pale in comparison.

It will take resources to see it all. But we’ll have what we need.

Plenty of water

We know how important water is when we go hiking and exploring.

The supply in heaven will be ample.

Of course, the living water started here in this life.

Jesus talked to the Woman at the Well about getting this water.

Everyone who believes in Jesus here, including Darlene, gets it. A drink that satisfies us in our deepest needs.

Not only will we need water, we’ll need time. And, we’ll have plenty of time, too.

"All this!”

It will be all new and it will be vast.

There won’t be any sitting around.

It will be good to have a room where we will be able to return to and rest after each adventure.

All of Heaven will be inherited by everyone who believes in Jesus.

Imagine, oceans and beaches. Mountains and canyons.

The idea that everyone will receive a harp and sit on a cloud and play forever is incredibly boring.

Darlene wouldn’t stand for this.

So, what IS she doing? Hard to say, but she’s probably already exploring while she’s waiting for us to join her.

Eventually, when we all get there, there will be feast to welcome everyone there.

The Wedding Feast

Revelation 19:6–10 NIV

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

Revelation

The 4th Cup

Jesus will finish what He started.

At a Passover meal there are 4 cups of wine.

At the Last Supper, Jesus passed the first 3.

At the Passover, the last supper, He passed the fir

At the Passover meal, the last supper, He passed the first 3.

The cup of Sanctification, we’re given faith

The cup of Deliverance, we’re given freedom

The cup of Redemption, we’re given value.

The fourth cup that is part of every Seder is the cup of Regathering.

Israel would celebrate being given the land and place for everyone to call home.

In Heaven, we are given a new place to call home and Jesus will celebrate everyone’s arrival w/ a feast and the passing of the 4th cup.

A place for everybody who believes

Darlene has her place. She’s had it since she first came to believe in Jesus.

Do you have yours?

The key to all of this is to believe in Jesus.

Having faith like this means we’re not troubled in times like these.

Faith means we have an inheritance coming that will take all eternity to explore.

Faith means we’ll be at the feast where Jesus welcomes everyone into Heaven together.

That’s what makes this a celebration.

We celebrate now. We’ll celebrate at lunch. And, we’ll celebrate every day we think of Darlene and look forward to a reunion w/ her.

This is the future that we all look forward to to.

And, oh, what a reunion that will be.