EVIDENCE OF OUR INSTANT PRESENCE WITH THE LORD

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS:

Luke 23:43

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)

THE PROMISE OF OUR SAVIOR WAS THAT THE THIEF SHOULD BE WITH HIM IN PARADISE THAT DAY, AND NOT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.

2 Cor 5:8

8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (NIV)

WE CAN SAY WITH ABSOLUTE BOLDNESS THAT TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.

Phil 1:21-24

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (NIV)

PAUL DESIRED TO DEPART TO BE WITH CHRIST, FOR THE ASSURANCE OF ENTERING A CONDITION 'FAR BETTER" IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH, SHOULD BE A GREAT SOURCE OF COMFORT FOR THE CHRISTIAN.

Matt 17:3

3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (NIV)

II Ki 2:11

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. (NIV)

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THESE SCRIPTURES ELIJAH WAS WITH JESUS AND MOSES ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. ELIJAH NEVER DIED. HE WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN IN A WHIRLWIND. WHEN WE ARE TAKEN OUT OF THIS WORLD, THROUGH DEATH OR THE RAPTURE, WE WILL ALSO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IMMEDIATELY.

Luke 16:22-23

22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (NIV)

THIS IS THE STORY JESUS TOLD OF TWO DIFFERENT MEN. EACH MAN DIED. ONE FOUND HIMSELF IN HELL, AND IN TORMENT. THE OTHER WAS IN PARADISE. THERE IS NO WAITING TIME ONCE OUR LIFE ENDS. WE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE IN THE PLACE WE HAVE CHOSEN FOR OURSELVES. IF WE HAVE MADE JESUS LORD OF OUR LIVES, WE WILL BE IN HIS PRESENCE. IF WE HAVE CHOSEN OUR OWN WAY, WE WILL FIND OURSELVES AS THIS RICH MAN IN ETERNAL TORMENT. THE RESULT OF OUR CHOICE WILL BE EVIDENT IMMEDIATELY, WHEN OUR LIFE ON THIS EARTH ENDS.

Acts 7:55-56

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (NIV)

Acts 7:59-60

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. (NIV)

STEPHEN SAW JESUS AND ASKED HIM TO RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT.

Num 16:30

30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt." (NIV)

Num 16:33

33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. (NIV)

WHEN MOSES SPOKE THESE WORDS, THE WICKED DIED AND WENT QUICKLY INTO THE PIT.

OUR JUDGMENT TOOK PLACE ON CALVARY'S CROSS ON THE BASIS OF CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK.

Gal 3:13-14

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (NIV)

WE ARE FREE FROM THE CURSE OF DEATH AND OPEN TO THE BLESSINGS PROMISED TO ABRAHAM WHEN, BY FAITH, WE RECEIVE THE PROMISE.

1 Pet 2:24

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (NIV)

2 Cor 5:21

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

1 Cor 15:55-58

55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (NIV)

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR VICTORY. FOR DEATH HAS NO MORE POWER OVER US. WE ARE FREE.

Would you like to know that you will go to heaven when you die?

If your answer is yes, then say this simple prayer, recognizing Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.