THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE ME
I’m ready to move to heaven, to a land that’s fair and bright,
Where there is perfect peace in that everlasting life.
Jesus has gone to build for me a mansion there I know
And the next time that you see me I may be living in my heavenly home.
Chorus
The next time that you see me may be on streets of gold,
The next time that you see me I may be wearing a brand new robe.
May be kneeling at His feet, or shaking His nail scarred hand.
The next time that you see me I may be living in glory land.
You may come to visit me and knock upon my door.
You may not get an answer, I won’t be living there anymore.
I’m just here for a short while and then I’ll soon be gone,
For the next time that you see me I may be living in my brand new home.
This song captured my imagination when I heard it sung some years ago by the Singing Hills on the Tribal Trails TV program. It was written by Leon Frazier in the 70’s and it is a good reminder that this world is not my final home but there is a better home being prepared for me. I am here for a short time and then I’ll be gone.
In John’s gospel, chapter 13 he recorded the words that Jesus spoke when He was with them for the last supper before His arrest and crucifixion. He told them that He would be with them for a little while longer, they could not follow Him now but would follow later. To encourage them He says, “Do not let your heart be troubled.”
Then, using an illustration that would be familiar to them, He said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions or dwelling places. If it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also.”
This sounds like the Jewish traditions of the engagement and wedding preparation. After the engagement is announced, the bridegroom goes to his father’s home and prepares a place for his bride. When it’s ready he will come to take the bride from her present home to the one he has prepared for her. She does not know when.
In Matthew 24 we have an account of the disciples asking Jesus, “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” His reply begins with, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ and will mislead many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be frightened.”
He went on to say, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” There will be great tribulation, unlike anything that has been before. And immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun and the moon will be darkened, the stars will fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.” …Be on the alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”….”..Be ready ; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you don’t think He will.”
In Matthew 25 Jesus compares His coming to a wedding party that is waiting for the bridegroom to come at any time. Five of them were wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps and five were foolish with no extra oil. They all fall asleep and at midnight there is a shout that the bridegroom is coming and they should go out to meet him.
The foolish virgins who need more oil, try to borrow from the wise but can’t, so they go away to buy more oil. While they were going away the bridegroom came and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast and the door was shut. Later the other virgins came saying, “Lord, open for us.” But he answered, “I do not know you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel , and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
The following song by Dottie Rambo gives us a wonderful picture of that day. The Jews Shofar will sound announcing His arrival. Looking to the skies we will see Him coming with clouds. Every eye will see His face in all His glory. I am looking for that wonderful day. Oh may we all be ready!
WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM
The sky shall unfold preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise.
The sweet light in His eyes,shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face.
Chorus
O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him,
Face to face in all of His glory.
O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold Him,
Face to face, our Savior and Lord.
The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from their slumbering place,
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment,
And we shall behold Him, then face to face.
We shall behold Him, O yes, we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory.
We shall behold Him, face to face
Our Savior and Lord.
We shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord.
apaththrough 