Talk About Love - Third Chapter "Invitations for Celebration"

“TALK ABOUT LOVE" All original ideas are Copyright of Richard R Sjaardema, 7/21/2010. (I, Richard R Sjaardema invite you  to share and copy this material with Copyright notatation and without charge.)


(Pending table of contents)

1. WHY BOTHER TALKING

A What Is Man

B Thou Art Holy

C Preparing For Celebration

2. KNOWING YOUR BELIEF

A His Story Positioning

B Word of God

C What is Truth

3. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE

A God’s Spiritual Gifts

B God’s Greatest Gift

C Beginning The Transformation

INVITATIONS FOR CELEBRATION

This beginning of this oncoming discourse is bound to age this book in future years, if such years materialize, that is. The subject is that fateful day of December 21, 2012! I personally have found the Mayan predictions of interest as they appear to be well connected with creation and the cosmos. If indeed, an alignment not seen in tens of thousands of years is pending, isn’t it worth taking note as it certainly could represent signs from the Creator. The alignment certainly is not a manmade phenomenon, nor the fabric of disillusionment, is it? That indeed appears to be the real question.

Again, I shall quickly move on without an in depth study or an attempt to prove or disprove the question posed. Those of you who are interested can research this event to your hearts content. However, in the few years left (at the time of this writing) before 12/21/2012, I expect there will be plenty of hype and hysteria within our societies building up to the day. The movies have already been hitting the theatres. We humans have had a fascination and fear of “the end” for a time spanning much greater than a millennium. As this too is a prime target for sparking conversations, it certainly deserves it’s placement as we consider “Why Bother Talking!”

Word of Caution

If you are anything like me and you considered writing about the end of the world as we know it, you would probably devote yourself to a lot of prayer. This is heavy stuff and I do not step lightly into these waters. I must trust His guidance in my writing and I ask that you allow Him to speak to you through the words I share. I do not claim to be an expert in this area. However, I have listened to many experts and found many ideas. As is the nature of my writing, I will share what I have to share and ask that you read it with your eyes wide open, your mind alert and discerning, and that you will use whatever insights you receive to spark appropriate conversations. Later in this book I will deal with “What is Truth.” Suffice it to say, many theories will be shared here and anyone who tells you they have all the facts on the matter is frankly a liar.

If you are fascinated by “End Times” theology and want to get a well rounded idea of what this is all about, check out “End Time” in Wikipedia on the internet. Perhaps I can wow you with a few words: Wikipedia will compare the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity & Islam. You can learn more about the tribulation and other eschatological beliefs. You can learn about the 6000 year Jewish calendar that ends at or before the year 2240. However, this is contradicted by the Mormon’s belief that history is now reaching the 7000th year since Adam. You can learn of Millennium beliefs, and check out the debate on whether the book of Revelation was written before or after the fall of Jerusalem. For me, the discourse on Preterism was interesting. Perhaps you want to know more about Armageddon or dispensationalism. You can even read of Sunni Islam’s first trumpet which ushers in the death of all Humans, or their belief that humans will wait thousands of years under a scorching sun for judgment

If you read beyond the Abrahamic religions, you can learn about Zoroastrianism. You may read that the founder of Buddhism described a time when the practice of Buddhism would end. Society would become amoral in practicing greed and lust and experiencing tremendous poverty. Hindu philosophy seems to detail a longer history which is also marked by moral decay in society. There is Greek and Norse mythology and of course Native American beliefs which bring us back to those Mayans. There are many more, all too often spelling out gloom and doom and a time of hopelessness and despair.

I’ve shared this summary from Wikipedia to drive home the fact that there is a world of beliefs regarding the end times in which I am sure your spiritual identity struggles to find a home. Millions, if not Trillions of dollars have been spent on the indoctrinations of these various beliefs in our educational systems, all to sufficiently confuse us as to what is to come. There in, lies my word of caution.

There is much danger in end times philosophy. For one, there could be powerful individuals who may take it upon themselves to make such predictions come true. This could be particularly devastating considering that Sunni trumpet call for the death of all Humans! Believing one brand of theology may keep an individual or group sufficiently confused to the point that if today was indeed that final day, they would not be ready. Although there are many dangers in considering these theories to be facts, the last I will mention is that if one is so sure he/she is right, they will shut down other appropriate communication skills and miss God’s message as it may be shared by others. The best message I can share here is that man is not in control, but is certainly in a state of suspense. Our Creator, God the Father remains in control, listen to Him.

I believe the surest words I can pose regarding the end times remain those of Jesus Christ as recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke in their gospel writings recording life of Jesus as presented in the Christian Bible.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” Matthew 24:36 (RSV)

“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come” Mark 13:32-33 (RSV)

“It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Acts 1:7 (RSV)

Time For Peace

If you jumped to this section without reading the preceding, let me just mention my ideas on the matter are no more than theory. However, if you are reading this book, you may have an interest in what I think. Also, I believe it is valuable to listen to each other’s point of view and that there should be room for speculation. In sharing my views, I will immediately make new friends and enemies. My intent is to create healthy discussion, not argument. Let me state my primary motivation for sharing. I believe a change is imminent and that it could come at any moment. It is my strong desire that you be ready whatever may come. Fair?

As I have mentioned, my foundational belief is the word of God as found in the books of the Bible. However, as I have participated in “end times” discussions and studies with Christian brothers, I have found widely differing points of view. The most profound book, as far as Christians are concerned, before the “Left Behind” series of course, is the book of Revelation. Yet, even there, the wording is tremendously symbolic and left open to interpretation regarding times, seasons, and so much more. (I must add that I personally find the book of Isaiah a much more fascinating read. It is easier to understand and provides a much more positive outlook considering the power of the promised Christ to unite the world in peace. I must also note that both books were written in a time of desperation within the writer's culture as their communities faced severe oppression and impending doom)

The book of Revelation is considered to have been written by Jesus Christ’s apostle, John, to the early church around the time of Nero, the contemporary emperor of Rome. I am intrigued by those who would claim the book was written before the fall of Jerusalem because the later writing places John at a very old age. The timing of the writing is very crucial, I believe, as the earlier writing would allow much of the prophecy to have been fulfilled within that first century, during the reader’s lifetimes. In reading books with this viewpoint, it would appear that given Jewish culture and the events surrounding their lives, John’s writing would have made much more sense to the early church than they make to us today. In addition, I believe that I serve within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ today. I believe that when He returns, our existence as we know it shall be changed. No extra 7 years or 1000 years to get our lives in order. Now I might be wrong, but I just may be right.

Although my belief system most closely resembles preterist or a-millennial viewpoints, I attend a Church whose belief system most closely resembles the pre-millennial viewpoint. Most of my peers, therefore, expect a 7 year tribulation and coming thousand year reign of Christ. The general consensus is that we still have time, therefore, because through this belief structure, the Jewish temple must still be rebuilt in Jerusalem. This again causes a great difficulty as the temple mount is presently covered with a Mosque.

So, without claiming to be an expert, let me throw out an option that fits the scope of this book and our cultures can chew on this concept. It is my understanding through my reading and as mentioned previously in this chapter, that there are three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. All three lay claim to much of the old testament of the Bible. I admit, I am only beginning to study Islam, but their belief in the existence of Christ, and their acceptance of the Old Testament has been an eye opener. Given, this fact, consider this prophesy from Isaiah 2:2-4.

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (NIV)

One premise of this book is that we may all be seeking the same God, the Father & creator of each of us and of our world. If, indeed, this is true, and Allah is indeed the same God as Yahweh, just served by a different name (more on this later) within a different culture and understanding as many in our world believe today, then the worship of God in the Mosque on the temple mount is indeed worship of the God of Jacob. For, don’t both peoples believe in the God of Abraham? Wasn’t this Muhammad’s vision and desire in the first place? Are not the Jews, Muslims, and Christians all claiming the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who also blessed Ishmael? Isn’t our message & the reason for wanting to spread the word is that He has become, although He has always been, the God of all mankind? This thought process bypasses, however, the comment of Jesus which states that the temple would be rebuilt in three days, often interpreted in that we are being rebuilt into One Body through His sacrifice and resurrection which brought salvation to all of creation of which He represents the firstborn - but perhaps that concept is too otherworldly for many of us to latch onto. The fact is, Jesus Christ's mission was all about peace and love. Not some drug induced high, but reflective of a very humanitarian Father who cares deeply for His Children.

If you are a Christian, do you truly believe God is a God of Love? Do you mean what you say when you utter those words; “For God so loved the world”? If indeed, we can attempt to understand our differences and accept that we may be one people seeking to serve and honor our common Father; perhaps we could heal our mortal wounds that have plagued us for many a millennium through division and fear. Perhaps we could work together to understand the love of God and enter into a new era of peace & fulfillment. I have come to find we are not the only faith that understands the concept of forgiveness! We are not the only faith finding those fruits of the Spirit of God which include kindness and understanding.

Yet, if we are bent on pride, hate, slander & the self righteousness that ours is the only way, regardless of the fact we each have differing spiritual identities, perhaps I have done nothing more than to motivate WWIII. Thanks be to God, His plan is not dependant on me.

The Wedding Reception

Although there are many theories regarding the end, one thing appears to be certain. Today, we are one day closer to whatever may come than we were yesterday. Whether that end represents the end of you, or the end of our present reality, it seems certain we are each one day closer to meeting our maker. The best advice, therefore, seems to be to get ready. But what does that mean?

For all the talk of end times, one of my favorite stories is that of the ten virgins as told by Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:1-13;

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ But he replied ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (NIV)

If you are a person of faith, you realize how important Jesus Christ is regarding our understanding of the end times. Some say He is equal with God! Some say He was a great prophet! Others say He was a false prophet. Indeed, His identity has caused great unrest for the past 2000 years and counting. Our ownership or reaction to his persona and teaching has caused divisions and hostilities for nations and peoples for far too long. Our attractions or distractions regarding this man, Jesus Christ, have very much to do with these spiritual identities of ours that I am recommending that we share with one another. At the name of Jesus, we either find a bond or we enter into an argument. I propose that we figure out a way to be able to investigate our disagreements regarding this individual. Our educational institutions have far too long told us not invest in our spiritual identities – that they are of myth and legend. As we all seem to be in communication with something greater than ourselves, I feel that nothing could be further from the truth. Isn’t it time to find some peace and unity with our fellow man and with our creator?

As I have already mentioned, as many in contemporary religiosity are proclaiming doom, doom, I stand in expectation of a coming time of peace amongst peoples and nations. I believe God is about to lift the veil of misunderstandings that hides us from one another. I realize this stands in stark contrast to the prophecy of Jeremiah during the time of Babylonian conquest around 600 BC where he writes: “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 8:11 (RSV) It is my firm belief, however, that this quote within context speaks to the individual "peace" within experienced or taught within religiosity as the believer continues to live in sin.

In our cultures today, we are working on healing a lot of wounds. There is poverty, war, hunger, disease, greed, diversity, tension, fear, pride, anger, hostility. Add to these separations between peoples and cultures the ultimate separation between mankind and their Creator. These wounds run deep – from the beginning of time. As we have already mentioned, Adam hid from God, our Creator, in shame after his disobedience of a command. Even in this time of Jeremiah’s writing, the earth was so filled with war that Jeremiah’s world and life view could not help but be filled with wounds that few of us can understand, yet which still affect who we are.

In our understanding of our own wounds, I think many of us can relate to the next quote which I will share from the book of Jeremiah in chapter 12:1-3; “Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I complain to thee; yet I would plead my case before thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Thou plantest them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; thou art near in their mouth and far from their heart. But thou, O Lord, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my mind toward thee. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.” (RSV)

Beyond this being a blatant statement of self-righteousness on the part of a believer in the midst of strife, this prayer makes little sense to me. How can I love my brother and accept the perfect Love of my Father if I carry such hate for my fellow man. As we reach out to one another in Love and seek peace through the Father, we must lift one another up and let go of our dogmas of condemnation. Therefore, I reiterate what I have said before regarding the message of this book as I look forward to “end times” philosophy. Although contemporary religiosity seems to be claiming gloom and doom, judgment and division; war and rumor of war and wrath, I intend to hold firm to my filter of faith that claims “God so loved the world!” I intend to share a message that includes not only His love for all of creation, but also the resulting joy for all mankind, peace for all mankind, patience for all mankind with one another, kindness between all men, gentleness and tender hearts. I foresee a coming time of unity, healing, and rejoicing which we have not beheld in historical memory. I intend to share that message with you from the word of God as I understand it from the Bible. I invite you to hear what I have to say and compare it with whatever you believe to be the word of God and see if we can find this Love of the Father together.

Let’s look at this story of the kingdom of God from Matthew 25:1-13 with which we began this section. The story begins with 10 virgins. Although most of us imagine women here, isn’t it possible for men to be virgins too? Whatever the case, they obviously represent some righteous people - or more likely the self proclaimed righteousness of various religious groups. Unfortunately, some of these righteous, expectant, people were found to be in need and the responsible righteous people or groups of religiousity showed no compassion on them. Instead of working even with their friends or brothers, these righteous ideologies chose to go to the party alone. Although this matches much of denominationalism today, it stands in stark contrast to the majority of Biblical teaching as individualism is routinely condemned.  

The oil in the lamps is considered by many Christian theologians to represent spirituality and living appropriately for God. However, listen to the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:5-6 as he begins speaking about improper living; “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. These are very common in American culture today, and I would guess they are quite common in other cultures also. Perhaps our lamps have run out of oil and we’d better be filling them up - to whom shall we go? How are we to gain entry to the Kingdom of God? Perhaps the answer does not lie in our options of houses of religion, but within a relationship with the bridegroom Himself and a change in our own personal makeup.

Paul compares these poor attributes regarding our character with appropriate descriptions of God’s chosen people in Colossians 3:12-15: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Now, although it is easy to feel good about sharing these attributes with one another that look like us, act like us, and believe pretty close to the same things as us, how are we seen by those who do not share our common characteristics? Does the world turn away from an ugliness of hypocrisy? Perhaps God does also. I don’t only challenge American Christians when I say this; I am talking to you and the ideals you value in your life! Do they make you proud in your self-righteousness? Or, do they leave you in humility as you also have work to do?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could reach out with the better virtues to all man? We value individuals in all of our cultures who show these virtuous qualities. These qualities are cherished in all religious circles. Our families work better with them. Our societies benefit from virtuous people. Our world could be transformed if we would just recognize this good in one another and hold to these standards instead of blind nationalism or religiosity. Not only do I feel that this time of peace is coming, I have also found that the Bible (and I dare say other holy books of other cultures) describes God our Father as virtuous and loving and forecasts this time of peace of which I speak.

Another wedding feast spoken of by Matthew is in chapter 22 verse 1-14. In this story, many who had been invited appeared disinterested. Therefore the master told the servants; “’Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:9-10 (RSV) If we can get beyond our selfishness and hate when it comes to understanding, loving and serving our Heavenly Father, perhaps we could find an understanding and love for, and the desire to serve one another. Perhaps, then, our world could be a much better place.

The final participant of the original story from Matthew 25 is the bridegroom Himself. Most theologians would say that this character represents Jesus Christ. Now, before you stop reading this book because of the mere mention of his name, let me suggest a crazy notion to you. I believe we shall find what many men of God believe today; that God the Father desired to make peace with Man. Routinely, men of God throughout the Old Testament of the Bible claimed that God the Father had become their salvation. I will present an argument through this book that this wedding feast is between man and God; that Jesus Christ is representative of our certificate of marriage; that through His sacrifice, God the Father has called all men to Him; that the Father Himself has provided the way of salvation for us. He knew that finding unity with Him on our own was impossible. I suggest that our understanding of Jesus Christ has been a stumbling block, keeping us from our Father’s promised Kingdom of peace and redemption.

A common thread within the Bible considers Jerusalem to represent a woman - often the wife of God. They go through times of marital bliss and times of divorce. She is portrayed as a harlot as she bows to idolatry and imagery. At times, Israel and Judah are considered sisters - wives of the same man who is represented by God. The various faiths and ideologies of the world at the time reflect mountains or hills or other women being sought after by God. This may be difficult for modern cultures today which are built on monogamous relationships, but that was not the culture that the Old Testament was written in. Such symbolism of God in such a great wedding feast of many brides or through the symbolism of one "New Jerusalem" representative of all of creation - a new reborn, revitalized, refined, redeemed creation is not so far fetched, is it?

And yet, we struggle through this seeming time of refinement and discipline. Our lives are a mess as we fight and judge one another. Our rebellion against God and our attempts to cut Him out of our cultures or to claim Him as our own has only made our problems worse. Through attempting to reach out to one another in Peace, I know we will find unity and healing. Through scripture, I intend to present a case that we are not facing further wrath from God, but that the feel good God we are hearing about in our cultures today is real; He is present; He loves us; and He is calling us to Himself. I hope that you too will catch this vision and fight against the gloom and doom and fear of coming wrath that has gripped our cultures in dissension for no good reason. It is time to believe those words; “For God So Loved the World”

Although we hear this message in our music and within our cultures; although we will find it in the Holy Bible; although it is preached in our houses of worship, I do not feel we have been able to grasp God’s all encompassing love. I do not believe that even the writer’s of our Holy books fully understood the message God was speaking through them. I think we can find disagreements not only between the writers of scripture, but we can even find disagreement in their own individual logic and theologies. I don’t think we should be ashamed to admit this fact as we study the scriptures together and discuss our ideas and develop our understandings. I believe God continues to speak to each of us today and by engaging communication with Him and one another, we will find the peace we seek. Perhaps as we filter our understandings through Love, those difficult passages won't seem so difficult anymore.

It is my strong desire that our cultures would open to one another and that we would be willing to understand one another and our relationship to our common Father. I fully trust that we would find our differences are minor and our brotherhood is strong. I know that our desire to live in peace and our attempts to serve one another with respect and dignity will draw us to one another in Love. I trust we will find victory over our common enemy – d’evil through the strength of our joy found with one another.

His Holy word claims that if we seek Him together, He will bless our efforts and allow Himself to be found. So often, He has said He is light and in Him is no darkness. He has said that His light can be found in us. In Matthew 5:14-16 we find these words; “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (RSV)

As our end is bound to come; whether by death or some climactic change of judgment or celebration of unity, it appears the best we can do is to prepare. Righteousness before God alone does not appear to be enough, but the intentional effort to love others and involve them in the preparation seems just as important. If we trust those words from John 3:16 “For God so Loved the World” we have nothing to fear – but everything to look forward to. Through our meditation with Him; through the reading of scripture, prayer, and desiring to exemplify His love through our service to and with our fellow man, perhaps we might find further love, joy, and peace in the effort.

Listen to the prophet Isaiah as he speaks into this time of preparation. He has just chastised the people for vain religious practices. Now he tells them what is expected by our Creator God in Isaiah 1:16-17:

“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow, (RSV)

When I was a teenager, there was a time I lied to my father and I received his punishment. Today, my relationship is much different as I am a grown man. I may still fail in my vain attempts at righteousness, and if my father is aware of it, he will counsel with me, but the punishment I would have received as a child is no longer a part of our relationship. However, God our Father is aware of my sin. Through my communion with Him, He counsels with me daily. I cannot help but to turn from my sinful ways in honor of His presence within me. I still sin, but if I confess my sin and turn from my wicked ways as I understand them, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Through the grace and mercy I have received from Him, I find a strength and desire to serve my fellow man and to share with them the hope that is within me.

I suspect that the gloom and doom associated with the coming change is that of an old relationship. So much of the Bible claims that God is now preparing us for a feast! The preparations are almost ready and it is high time the invitations were sent out.

When Adam first broke the covenant with God, he hid in fear. Knowing that man now desired separation from his creator, and for fear he would also take of the tree of life before he gained understanding, God sent him out of the Garden so that he could gain knowledge of his creator before partaking of the tree of life. Look at history; it is filled with man either seeking that reunion with, or the renunciation of God. It is filled with man attempting to find that tree of life, with or without the Creator. God has prepared a wedding feast – perhaps in that beautiful original Garden where he first placed his crown of creation to live with Him in paradise! The only thing He asks is that you are willing to be reunited with Him. He has prepared the way. Perhaps He has even given you that tree of life that you may live forever;

“This is the bread which comes down from heaven that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; John 6:50-51a (RSV) Jesus claimed to be your tree of eternal life – your reconnection with the Father which was lost in the Garden. One day we shall all understand, but perhaps not today. There’s something to talk about.

And, so – man of God, are you willing to come to God’s feast? Will you join me in sending out the invitations for the coming reunion when your Creator God renews His relationship with all those who seek Him? Here are the guidelines for sharing that invitation from the words of Paul to the people of Corinth in I Corinthians 13:1-13;

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude, Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (RSV)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you not to a funeral, but to a wedding! A reception! A reunion with one another and with our Creator God through His marvelous plan! His preparation is almost ready and He has placed His personal invitation on your heart. There is one thing left to do, Come, invite all your friends, and join the party! There are many good things - among them Peace, Joy, and Love! Everyone will be there, Welcome!

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined. And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.

It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:6-9 (RSV)