ON CHRISTIANITY
Posted: October 31, 2012 at 2:23 a.m.
LITTLE ROCK — DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Does an angel come to be with us and take us to heaven when we die? I hope so, because I don’t expect to live much longer, and I don’t like the thought of being all alone when I die.
- J.J. DEAR J.J.: Yes, the Bible indicates that when we die we will not be alone, but angels will accompany us on our journey to heaven (if that is our destiny). In one of his parables, Jesus told about a poor man who had suffered much during his time on earth. When he died, Jesus said, “The angels carried him to Abraham’s side (i.e., to heaven)” (Luke 16:22).
But the Bible also reminds us that we are never alone if we’ve given our lives to Jesus Christ, because God has come to live within us by his Holy Spirit and has adopted us into his family. One of Jesus’ most comforting promises was spoken to his disciples just before he was taken back into heaven: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He is with us every minute of the day - right up to the moment of our death.
How do we know this is true? We know it because Jesus Christ experienced for us the greatest loneliness imaginable - the loneliness of the cross. We deserve nothing less than hell because of our sins - but Jesus took upon himself the judgment and hell that we deserve. Now he offers us the gift of eternal life - and all we have to do is receive it.
Life isn’t always easy, especially as we grow older. But ahead of us is heaven, where we’ll be safely in God’s presence forever. Let that truth strengthen you every day.
Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at
billygraham.org
Food, Pages 28 on 10/31/2012
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