Every Lord’s Day we go to heaven to be with the Lord. Most of the time we then return in order to carry on the work and battle here below. One day we will ascend and remain with the Lord, carried by angels to join Abraham and the saints who have fallen asleep before. We will await the final coming, the day of the Lord’s glory and earth’s redemption. Every Lord’s Day is a preparation and participation in that future, final hope.
The King is calling. You have been summoned to appear in his courts. All of the saints will be there, though millions of them will not be visible to us. We will lift our voices, and heaven will thunder. Our voices may be small, but the Father hears each one. Prayer will ascend from the Church’s altar, rising like incense before the heavenly throne. The Lord will speak, pardoning our sins, assuring us of his love and acceptance, proclaiming and instructing us in his truth. His Table has been set with bread and wine, the emblems of his body and blood, visible words making the invisible Word tastable. We will feast in the midst of our foes, fearless because we know that those who are with us are more than those who are against us. Then God will bless us, laying his hands upon us, sending us forth to fill the world with the knowledge and glory of his power, love, and authority. We will lift our hands in praise and go on our way singing with hearts full of joy.