Angels Deliver Us to Heaven

I’ve lost count of the number of funerals I’ve done. As I mentioned last week, I have counted 9 in my friend Keith Howard’s family. I’ve seen them be both mourning and celebration at the same time. I’ve seen them filled with laughter in the midst of the tears. But I’ve also seen them as sad and somber as could be. I’ve seen widows climb down in the open grave as the casket was lowered and refuse to leave, so broken hearted and desperate. I’ve done funerals for babies one month old, and sr adults in their late 90’s. I once did a graveside service where the funeral director, and one other person were all that was there, and I have spoken in a funeral with over 2000 in attendance.

Death means separation.

It is a separation of our bodies from our spirit.

In the time between our death and the resurrection, we are probably very similar to angels.

James 2:26 HCSB

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Psalm 116:15 HCSB

The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight.

For a Christian, death is sleep; not of the soul but of the body.

Acts 7:60 HCSB

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And saying this, he fell asleep.

1 Corinthians 11:30 HCSB

This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:6 HCSB

Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20 HCSB

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:51 HCSB

Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,

1 Thessalonians 4:13 HCSB

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

There is something different when Christians deal with death

Psalm 116:15 HCSB

The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight.

Philippians 1:21 HCSB

For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Angels For the Trip Home

My latest sun is sinking fast, My race is nearly run; My strongest trials now are past, My triumph is begun.

Refrain: Oh, come, angel band, Come and around me stand; Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings To my eternal home; Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings To my eternal home.

I’ve almost reached my heav’nly home, My spirit loudly sings; Thy holy ones, behold, they come! I hear the noise of wings.

Oh, bear my longing heart to Him, Who bled and died for me; Whose blood now cleanses from all sin, And gives me victory.

Luke 16:19–23 HCSB

“There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate. He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

The rich man died and was buried and arrived in torment.

Lazarus arrived in Paradise

Observations:

In this one story Jesus asserted the resurrection and the existence of angels.

The angels CARRIED HIM. He was low man on the totem pole here on earth, but angels escorted him into heaven.

Jesus went the bodily the same way.

Mark 16:19 HCSB

Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

taken is lambano- taken or received BUT

Luke 24:51 HCSB

And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.

carried here is phero… same word as used to describe Lazarus

WHY is this important?

A little speculation on our parts.

We are passing through enemy territory?

Ephesians 2:2 HCSB

in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.

2. It’s a comfort to have angels who have frequently made the trip, carry us along on trip we have never made.

3. Larry Libby “Somewhere Angels”- God wants you home so much he’ll send his own angel to meet you. And don’t be surprised if that angel is wearing a big smile.

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