I am convinced of this:

• God's Word is always true.   Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 18:30
• He sent Jesus to bring us into relationship with Him.   I John 4:14
• He cares for every detail of our lives.   I Peter 5:7
• He is a healing God.    Psalm 103:3; 107:20
• We won't always understand.   Isaiah 55:8 - 9
• God is too big for us to ever completely comprehend.   Romans 11:33-36
• It is inevitable that we will suffer loss.    John 16:33; I Peter 4:12 - 13
• Someday we will know as we are known.    1Co 13:12

I caught a tiny insight into the nature of God and heaven several nights ago when God came to me in a very special way and revealed a visual phenomenon more intense than I am able to describe. Several things about the experience left me puzzled and somewhat perplexed. I didn’t understand the meaning of this experience at that time, but after considerable review and research of the scriptures, I believe God gave me insight into his loving nature and an understanding of some of his physical characteristics that I would have never expected. I didn’t understand why he gave me this visual experience at that time, but now realize he provided me insight that might give courage to a loved one. The vision came with answers to questions I had struggled with for several months. I could not begin to explain the comfort God gives when his Spirit ministers in such a complete and powerful way.

Before this vision I believed God must be of similar likeness to man, as indicated in the Genesis account of creation. In this account God created man in his own image. My frame of reference was of course based on how we humans look, thinking God must then look something like us. I now realize that I could not possibly know what God created man to look like when man was pure and unblemished by sin. Man probably was in the form of God while they were in each other's presence in the confines of a place for God to walk with man, and to communicate in ways we can't imagine. God in his Godly form, and man his created likeness, communed together within the confines of the beautiful Garden of Eden. I doubt man retained the perfect image of God when he was cast from the garden, clothed in sinfulness, his body now vulnerable and sinful in its nature. I address this difference only to prepare you for the content of my account of God’s ministering to me as I prayed for his comfort and courage.

I was startled at the way this vision started, as I was tempted to fear the content of what might be revealed. Though I was awake and aware of everything around me, my mind saw a great blackness. It was as though I was looking through the elements within in my bedroom into a great panorama of black space. This blackness was dark and deep, appearing endless, a void with no purpose or form. This blackness seemed to be impenetrable, representing a separation or covering I could not see through and would not be permitted to approach. I didn’t understand the blackness and felt fearful, but sensed a sort of peace and expectancy.

God you know I trust you and wholly lean on your leadership in my life. Why must I feel such pain at the news that another one of your children is stricken with so great an illness?

I have placed within you a spirit of love and compassion that you may truly feel the pain of those who are burdened. This will help you encourage them and hold them up before me. I will not forget them in their trouble, but I will strengthen them and give them courage through the long days and nights of illness, but in due time I will call my children home.

A faint glow of light began to break through what appeared to be great black clouds forming in the foreground. Light pulsated from barely visible to intense backdrops of penetrating light radiating from behind the clouds. The light was as bright as a welder's arc and pierced the blackness with great shafts of light shining up into the darkness much as sunlight shines down onto the earth through the clouds. The light shown with a radiant blue cast of fluorescent tents so intense I could not bear to look directly at it. This was the most beautiful display of light one could imagine. It broke through the darkness from behind the clouds with great pulses, seeming to drive back the darkness, yet allowing it to stay as a covering for that which was not to be reveled. The beauty of the light was so grand as to take my breath away. I found myself gasping and my heart beating rapidly in the presence of the panorama that lay before me. I did not feel worthy to be in the presence of such beauty while surrounded by so great a darkness, yet with the light there was no darkness. There was warmth and peace in the presence of the light, a striking contrast to the doubt and fear of the darkness that preceded it.

Why must they endure this now Lord? They do so much for your kingdom. You have given them important assignments, and they have not finished their tasks.

Yes! I have sent them to do works far beyond their abilities and even at times the strength of their bodies, but I have always provided strength and endurance for them until it’s time to call my children home.

With the light there was now no darkness, only the warm glow of a well lit space bound by a force that held the darkness at bay. It seemed that nothing could penetrate the boundary separating the darkness from the light. Within the lighted space there was a great sense of joy. This was not a space of air or earth, or anything of form, but a space of free form content, a dimension I am totally unfamiliar with. I was not alone in this space, but felt I was not really a part of the space. It seemed as though I was an outsider allowed to gaze on its beauty for a very brief time. I did not recognize the contents of the space as representative of anything I have ever seen before. I can only relate the content and the form based on things I am familiar with. I can neither describe nor relay the depth of my feeling for this space with earthly words. It can’t be described in earthly context.

There were heavenly beings, beings of light. These beings were free form, having shape only by a representative covering or boundary seeming to be a film surrounding a warm light. This film looked very much like the visual you have when you look through a transparent surface, seeing the boundary on the front, and also seeing the boundary on the backside simultaneously. All that was inside was light, and the form seemed very much like the shape of a funnel with light sprits pulsing out the top. Quite the reverse of the way one would expect a funnel to release its contents. I believe these must have been the saints of God, as the angels honored them and regarded them with great esteem. It seemed these saints were treated as though they were honored residents of this realm, having completed their sojourn, victorious, with experience not understood by the angels.

Why now Lord? They have so many things left unfinished, and so much of your love to give to others. Don’t you see that we need them here to finish the tasks you have given them?

You must remember the depth of my love for them! I will always strengthen them and gift them for the tasks I assign. Some of my children are gifted for service, and other positions of great leadership. I send them, I gift them, and I lead them by my spirit, but in time, when I feel they have completed the task, I will call my children home.

The beings I recognized as angels seemed to be larger than those I perceived to be saints, and had the ability to move about freely with in the space as though they were not limited by weight or content of the space. Each clearly passed through the space as though there were no bounds. They even passed through each other, as did the saints. In the presence of the saints the angels often bowed down and paid their respect. Though I heard no exchange of words there was clearly a form of nonverbal communication in which thought and even a transfer of joy occurred. The only description I have for this is the feeling of nonverbal love you may have experienced for a loved one that required no form of verbal exchange, each sensing love without verbalization.

But Lord, they have trusted and obeyed. They have labored for you and carried a great burden. Won’t you let them see the joy of living a full life, and seeing their earthly tasks completed?

I have shown them the joys of my creation. They have experienced the joy of beautiful skies, radiant sunsets and of family and friends. How can you know the depth of their joy and the ways I have blessed them for their service. You cannot know when their work is completed, and you won't know when it is time for another to take up the burden they have carried. It’s then that I call my children home.

I am not certain what the saints were doing, but there was great joy and happiness. While I heard no sound there was still a sense of sound penetrating the whole space. This sound was not music, but a melodious form of movement within the content of the space much like changes in a beautiful musical composition. I met a gentleman in Colorado this last summer who describes the space of heaven as “the air is made of music”. I think he may be very close, though I don’t think the space is made up of air. The content of the space is crystal clear and very warm, yet comfortable, not like liquid, but seeming to have a liquid sort of property. There was beauty beyond description, yet the only thing I saw present was the light, saints, and angels. It seemed that the very space itself was the essence of beauty, surrounded by such intense light that I could not see what was beyond the specific area I was allowed to view. Though I saw no mountains, mansions, or golden streets, there was beauty beyond description.

Lord won’t you let them stay for a while longer? Won’t you let them see the joy of the fruits of their labor? How will they know you love them when they are rewarded only with pain and suffering?

I will bless them through my grace and my love. You could not possibly understand the blessings I have for them. I will call them to me and their earthly existence will be no more. Their spirit will be united with me and they will be transformed into perfect vessels of the very nature of my love. They will be blessed with perfection and beauty all around them. The essence of their spirits will be housed in heavenly bodies more beautiful and perfect than you could ever imagine. They will glow with the crepuscular light of the very spirit of the creator, and the angels of heaven will celebrate their presence. They will be honored and crowned in glory for their faithfulness. They will be lifted up and drawn to the father to bask in his presence. Their cares will vanish and they will be filled with everlasting joy, knowing that their work on earth is completed as the father had planned. Rejoice with me my child when I call my children home.

Though it wasn’t clear to me what the saints were doing, it was quite clear they were totally occupied by being a part of the light. Each of their forms pulsated with the light, and on occasion glowed even brighter as the presence of the light became more intense. I am of the feeling that this must have been the very spirit of God contained within each of them. A part of his spirit placed within them at creation, and carried with them down through their years of service as they lived out their time on earth. A spirit that now reunited with the spirit of the Father rejoices in his presence. Not just joy as we experience it, but great joy beyond description. Once again the spirit of man and woman in their spiritual bodies, able to communicate with the Father, walking with him in the quiet of the evening, one on one communication, yet sensing his personal presence in each of the saints simultaneously.

I must confess that I don’t feel this account fully describes the content of my glimpse into what I perceive to be a part of Heaven. I don’t have effective words to describe the presence of the light, and the feeling of how it dispels the terrible darkness. I also acknowledge that while I was tempted to capitalize Light each time I used it in this narrative, I am not certain that the light was God, but rather the brilliant glow of his presence as he dispersed the darkness around him. I cannot begin to describe the feeling of completeness with the Father, and the intense feeling of what we so lightly refer to as love. We have not even begun to feel love until we are united with the Father as I saw in my brief glimpse of heaven.

I still hurt for them Lord, and I will miss them, and want them to be here to share in the joys of life you give to each of us.

But my child at times I call my children home. Their work is complete, with no task undone. They will suffer no more and gain their crowns of glory. Yes at times I call my children home. Take joy in my perfect plan and know that I am with them forever, as I will be with you each step of your journey. Trust me and know that I am able to give you joy when I call my children home.