Category: Visions of Celestial Love

Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and might set free those who all their lives were subject to slavery through fear of death. -Hebrews 2:14-15 BSB

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Are you afraid of death?

This week, I received a text from a dear friend whom I’ve known since I was a little girl. She said that her mother had gone to Heaven and specified the time in the evening when she took her last breath on this side of eternity. It was a surprisingly short text considering the news.

She had written earlier asking for prayer for her family because her mom was “so ready to see Jesus.”

The night before, my mother-in-law echoed a similar statement as she sat across from me beside my sister-in-law while my husband sat next to me.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” she said calmly, “I know where I’m going.”

I investigated her warm, dark eyes and saw she was serious.

Her words reminded me of my late grandmother’s. A flash of memory crossed my imagination to the fateful conversation I’d had years ago, as I stared at my (then) last living grandmother.

I was holding my newborn, and my grandmother’s weathered countenance took on a bright enthusiasm as she recalled her vision of Heaven. She talked about glorious gold and colors too vivid to put into words. She spoke of how beautiful everything was and how Earth was a “trash heap” compared to what she’d seen in Heaven.

Her smile became dreamy, and she told me she was ready to see Jesus. Although I was dazzled by her courage toward death, the selfish part of me shrank. For as long as I could remember, her prayers had canopied over our family.

“Don’t leave us just yet. We need you.” I said nervously,

The fearlessness of my mother-in-law, my late grandma (who passed away shortly after our discussion), and my friend’s mom made me realize what a beautiful thing Jesus has done for us!

Through his resurrection, He has taken away the bitterness of death.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NLT

Jesus has paid the price to defeat one of our greatest enemies.

As children of God, we don’t have to fear death.

In fact, we shouldn’t fear death.

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“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.” -1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

I didn’t see fear of death in my mother-in-law’s and my late grandmother’s eyes. More than anything, I saw anticipation. They were looking forward to seeing Jesus.

I can understand that.

The reality of seeing Jesus has the power to take away the fear of death.

Nothing is lost in eternity.

Christ has redeemed those who put their faith in Him, and we can trust that, as our King, our righteous Judge, and our Redeemer, He will ensure that nothing is lost. We can entrust everything and everyone we love to His care. We can have complete confidence in His power to save us, even from death.

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Years ago, the fear of death haunted me like a shadow. I had just given birth to my first child shortly after losing four people I loved. Two of these were my teenage cousins, who had both been murdered in their home. I can’t properly describe the deep pain I felt in my heart. I was in my last trimester when I received this news, and I remember sobbing in the bathroom, running the water to drown out my cries.

Shortly after that, fear began to follow me. It tormented me day and night. I didn’t realize it was a spiritual attack at the time.

 I fretted about Eden’s safety when she was a newborn (I’m being very vulnerable). I was also afraid of dying and leaving my baby, Eden, and my husband.

But more than anything, I feared dying alone. I dreaded facing the ultimate enemy on my own. I feared my loved ones facing this enemy alone as well. Death takes away the presence of the ones we love, leaving us alone with our memories. This, to me, was the biggest fear… until Jesus addressed this.

I woke up one morning before sunrise. A deep blue shaded the sky, and the atmosphere was peacefully still as my family slept soundly. The cold autumn air outside seeped through the windows, and I moseyed over to the piano downstairs before playing the keys. I could sense the nagging fear, stealing my peace. I prayed to Jesus, and He spoke to my heart.

“You will never be alone.”

I paused and knew He was speaking directly to my fear of death.

“There will never be a second of your life when I won’t be with you. Even in death, I will be there. I will be there when you close your eyes to this life, and I will be there the second you open your eyes in the next.”

His comforting presence enveloped me like a warm, heavenly blanket.  His love melted away the fear that had frozen a place inside of me for months. The assurance of His constant presence gave me a peace I can’t fully put into words.

Since that day, the enemy has not been able to shake me with the terror of death. Jesus has truly set me free from the slavery of fearing death.

I know that I can face death because the Resurrected Conqueror loves me wholeheartedly, and He will uphold me.

He offers you this same gift.

Now, I look forward to seeing Jesus! I can honestly say, like my grandmother, I want to see Jesus.

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Once, while I was worshipping at a dear friend’s house, whom I call “my second mother,” I felt so aware of eternity that death became as insignificant as a tiny ant. My friend and our mutual friend praised Jesus, and His holy Presence filled the room. Sometime during our late-night worship, I looked at my friends and wished I could be their age. They are in their early seventies, and I’m in my early thirties. I wanted to be their age because I knew, if things progressed naturally, they would go to Heaven first. I felt jealous (in a good way) that they had faithfully served God throughout their lives and were nearing the end of their race through life.

In that sacred moment, I wished I was older so I could be with Jesus sooner, but I hesitated because of my love for my family and my desire to fulfill God’s will for my life; I also knew that my husband and children wanted and needed me to stay with them.

I know that might seem crazy to people who don’t know the Lord. It may even seem out of place to some Christians, but as Paul said. “I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.…” –Philippians 1:22-23 BSB

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I tasted the transcendent power of Psalm 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

And in that heavenly moment, I valued Jesus more than my own life on this earth.

(I hope you understand what I’m saying. I’m not looking for death or condoning the early end of my life. Rather, I have peace in the face of what I once dreaded. I pray to live a long life and fulfill God’s plans for my life on this earth, while keeping my eyes heavenward) 

Like my late grandmother, my mother-in-law, and my friend’s mother (who passed this week), I understand where I’m going, so death has no real power. I know Whom I want to see more than anyone else: Jesus, The Life. And I dream of seeing His beautiful face!

As a newly saved teenager, I used to wonder if I was truly saved and going to Heaven. Instead of just trusting the scriptures, which assure us that we will be with Jesus forever, I wanted to hear it directly from Jesus, so I kept asking, “Am I saved?” (Jesus was gracious enough to help me in my unbelief).

One day, He whispered in my heart, “Yes, you are saved.” Not two minutes after He spoke that, an angel appeared in my room. I sensed his presence, and he told me the same thing, “You are saved.” Then he “disappeared.”

Before I even had time to process the angelic encounter, my cell phone rang, and I answered it. It was a Christian friend. “Yes?” I greeted.

“Ashley!” My friend exclaimed, “I was just talking to God and He told me you and I are saved!”

I could barely speak. Father God had given me three confirmations in under ten minutes!

I know I will be with Jesus forever. My future is secure.

I have a blessed sense of peace about eternity.

You can feel this way, too.

You are a favored and loved child of God.

Jesus died and rose again to defeat every enemy that would ever hurt you.

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Dear one, no matter who you’ve “lost” or what grief you feel, He is there with you, and He is there with those you love, regardless of where they are. Through Jesus, we are united, even when death temporarily separates us. One day, we will all be together physically.

Not even death can separate you from those you love. If they are “with” Jesus, He will take care of them. You can trust His saving power. We can trust everyone we love into His hands. He is the Resurrection. He is the Life. He is our Redeemer. Nothing good will be lost.

The things you believe you’ve lost while battling in this world will be restored. Everything God intended for you to have will be redeemed. You will lack nothing good. Every cause of your pain will be washed away.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. -Revelation 21:4 NLT

I pray the Holy Spirit will use these words to bring your heart eternal comfort and peace.

You are secure in His hands.

xoxo

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Enjoy this devotional video I created as an invitation for you to soak in the unconditional love and healing peace of God.

“When I read Visions of Celestial Love, it is as if I am brought down to my knees to worship. What the Holy Spirit has done in and through Ashley, He is also doing in me. What a wonderful experience. It is very rich. Thank you for sharing the treasure.”—Riko Suci Alam, CEO of Ligar Jaya and owner of Clove Garden hotel in Bandung Indonesia.