Gathering together is Now our future with Christ!

Gathering together is Now our Future with Christ!

When will we be together as our souls join with Christ after the final seal in Revelation  is opened?

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”  I said to him, “My Lord, you are the one who knows.”  He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple.  The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.  They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them.  For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rv 7: 13 - 17).

When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  And I saw that the seven angels  who stood before God were given seven trumpets.  (Rv 8: 1 -2).

Now the tribulation will begin and those who are saved by the Blood of the Lamb are secure and will live forever with God in eternity.  As we read this portion of Revelation the reality of God’s wrath will begin and woe to those who have not repented and find the everlasting forgiveness of God will become lost for all eternity.  “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.  But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.  Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”  (Lk 6: 24 - 25).  

There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.  And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.  When the poor man died , he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.  The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  And he cried out. “Father Abraham, have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in these flames.”  Abraham replied, “My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.  Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.”  (Lk 16: 19 - 26) 

Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, hell because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God.  Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the redeemer.  (CCC 633).  

Christ is Lord of eternal life.  Full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world.  He acquired this right by his cross.  The Father has given all judgment to the Son.  Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and give the life he has in himself.  By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one’sworks, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.  (CCC 679).

The time we await is not so faroff but stands up with us as each finds the grace God gives to you and me to become the chosen souls he created out of love.  Growing away from the evil attractions that life promises will allow our journey to find redemption and peace for all eternity.

Now is the time ro prepare for our future with God in eternal bliss.

Ralph B. Hathaway