When we get life with Jesus here on earth, we get a taste of the River of Life, and look forward to that River in heaven.
We cross many rivers and valleys and mountains here, and we all will cross the river of death to enter that Celestial City.
Song:
“One more river to cross,
And that’s the river Jordan”
The Pilgrim’s Progress movie shows that river so well—it gives quite a thrill.
A few reflections on that analogy:
+ not cross on a rowboat
+ must go under water
+ must lose breathing
+ some peaceful—God stops breathing without sensation of drowning
+ some traumatic—struggle like drowning, sometimes literally
+ some forced under painfully by evil people
+ some forced under quickly by evil people, with momentary pain
+ some forced under repeatedly by evil people, with severe pain over and over
+ some with sudden end to breathing, beating, feeling, going under without notice or pain
+ some with difficult, painstakingly slow failure of physical, mental, emotional parts of life
+ for some, going under is long-awaited relief from suffering
+ for some, pulled in two directions—going under to be with Jesus, or staying alive to bless others
+ for all, going under is the ticket to the glorious homecoming welcome with Jesus.
Please, watch The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Watch it again.
“Don’t hold on to life at all cost.”