What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?"

"Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Think about the words to Amazing Grace. "When we’ve been there 10,000 years, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun." Don’t think about the 10,000 years in heaven, think about the people already there who will meet you. The reality of heaven is one of the Bible’s most glorious truths. It is a real place where our loved ones live in the presence of our great God, forever serving Him and singing His praises – all because of His amazing grace!

Christians never say goodbye to each other for the last time.

Our Daily Bread – November 26, 2003