For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
(1Thess. 4:14 – NKJV)

The deep black night was moonless and starless. I approached a cemetery enclosed by a tall iron fence at the bottom of an enormous mountain as the large iron gates swung open. Upon entering the cemetery, I instantly began gliding about four feet above ground. I gradually glided up the mountain slope, glancing all around at graves with identical gray tombstones throughout the vast mountainous, sloped cemetery. The graves were spaced apart by seven or eight feet as well as in front / behind each other. The tombstones were three feet in height, and the inscriptions on the tombstones varied: some were legible (quite recent); some not so legible (much older), and others totally illegible (ancient) –– blank with no inscriptions. They had been eroded by weather elements throughout unknown time. All tombstones stood erect, and none sunk or leaned out of place. The cemetery was well maintained, yet notably very old, –– ancient. My vision was clear, and I was able to make these and other distinctions throughout the dark cemetery in the spiritual realm.

After a lengthy ascent and endless observation, I noticed the outline of a glowing white cross under a very large tree at a distance ahead. I continued up the slope, approached, and stopped about eight to ten feet in front of the plain cross under the widely spread tree branches. Its brilliance, great peace, and spiritual warmth radiated from within. The cross was approximately five feet in height, and I was astonished at its beautiful and glorious radiance. It was such an awesome and exalted sight to behold. Its position on the slope placed me at a slightly lower angle. The cross was set in the midst of all the graves, under and surrounding the tree that stood about twenty-five to thirty feet behind the cross. Its trunk was wide, and the branches were full of leaves. It was an enormous "mature" tree. I remained before the comforting and peaceful glowing cross for some time, becoming oblivious to the surrounding graves and tombstones. After a time of awe and reverence before the cross, I glanced around at the other near and distant graves throughout the cemetery, looking for a fresh grave with tombstone.

Next, I was guided to the right, and out from under the branches as I continued gliding up the mountain at a forty-five degree ascent to the right. From a distance, I could now see two radiant creatures glowing brightly in the night. I glided up the slope toward them, approached, and stopped approximately ten feet before them. The slope placed me at a lower angle before them. Their glowing radiance was indescribably beautiful. Their presence and aura was heavenly, and I was awestruck by their height and powerful presence. They were about seven feet tall, and their statures demonstrated tremendous strength. They stood erect at each side of a grave covered with a large mound of fresh flowers that were breathtakingly beautiful! Words fail to describe their various shapes, sizes, fragrance, and "living" colors. I had finally found the fresh grave I had been looking for. However, the tombstone was missing.

I remained motionless with rapt attention as I gazed at the angelic creatures for some time, admiring their serene appearance and powerful presence as well as their heavenly magnificence. As I studied their features, it immediately became obvious that they were neither male nor female. Their complexions were fair; and their skin was smooth and fresh as dew. They had clear gentle eyes. Their deep auburn colored, shoulder length hairstyles were adorned with a few fresh flowers. Although their hairstyles were not identical, they were similar in appearance. They wore white robes, and their forearms were visible. A deep maroon colored piece of fabric was draped over each of their right shoulders and cinched with a sash around their waists. Their robes fell down to the ground, and I did not see their feet. Their large strong hands folded gently as each held clusters of long stemmed fresh cut flowers in their arms. They struck a classic pose, and their appearance could be likened to an old master painter’s classic portrayal of angels. (Much like a mid 1500’s classic renaissance painting by Italian artist, Raphael, or other contemporary-like Italian artists.) They were quite a sight to behold, and their calm gaze upon me lasted for a while. They did not speak, nor did I.

After a short time of gazing upon me, their eyes shifted straight ahead, as they assumed a stiffened militant watch as if guarding the grave. They stood in anticipated attention, remaining silent and motionless. I, too, remained silent and continued my lingering awestruck observation of this heavenly angelic scene and the mound of unique fresh flowers on the grave. After an almost never-ending and silent observation, I began gliding again, continuing further up the slope while passing the angelic creatures to my right. They remained stationary, keeping their focus straight ahead. I continued glancing all over the cemetery and at all the erect tombstones while gliding above them. It was so peaceful!

In the not too far distance, I could now see the outline of a high iron fence that stretched far in both directions against the background of the dawning light beyond the fence and closed gates near the top of the mountain. I now changed my focus and course, and continued gliding toward the gates. I did not look back. END

The moonless and starless deep black night represents the world that lies in sin and darkness.

A mountain symbolically represents a kingdom. Here, this cemetery can be identified as God’s haven of rest (Hebrews 4:9, 10) for those Saints whose remains presently sleep in Jesus –– the Rock of Ages (mountain) –– as they wait to join their spirits and souls in Heaven, and finally become complete glorious bodies.

My "gliding" symbolically portrays being carried in the Spirit above and throughout the hallowed cemetery grounds while the departed Saints’ remains rest in the graves.

The identical tombstones identify the departed Saints as having been "living stones" (1Peter 2:5) while on earth. I did not take notice of any one particular tombstone inscription. However, all those legible and weather-eroded missing names are known to God and written in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5).

The radiating light from within the cross clearly reveals, "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12).

The cross and the tree are symbolically "one" –– the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ of Nazareth on the "tree" (1Peter 2:24; Acts 10:39; 13:29, 30).

The wide tree trunk, the branches and leaves are revealed in the Word of God: "I am the vine, you are the branches … bears much fruit" (John 15:5). These resting Saints –– branches –– had yielded much fruit (leaves) during their time on earth.

The angelic creatures obviously are guardian and ministering angels to the heirs of salvation, –– the Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Hebrews 1:13, 14) –– as identified by the maroon (color of blood) cloth worn by them as they protect and guard the "Body" –– the Church –– in the grave.

The "living" fresh flowers of so many varieties (genders, ages, ethnic peoples) and the grave identify the Saints who have died to self and to the world, after having been crucified with Christ since they no longer live but Christ lives in them… (Galatians 2:20). [See Rom. 6:8]

The flowers’ fragrance portrays the Saints as a sweet-smelling aroma…well pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18).

The missing tombstone characterizes "no date of departure as yet." It also represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is now on a "heightened alert" during these final moments of the End Time she’s living in, and the approaching Rapture –– her imminent departure into Glory. As Scripture declares, "…we are children of God, and if children, then heirs––heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…that we may also be glorified together" [taken up to Heaven in the Rapture] (Romans 8:16, 17).

The dawning light at the top of the mountain represents the imminent appearing of Lord Jesus (Titus 2:11-13), The Light (John 8:12), who will soon rapture His Church to be where He is (John 14:3) in Glory.

Figuratively, I represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth nearing the gates at the top of the mountain, thereby revealing that the gates to Heaven are about to open and welcome the Bride’s anticipated arrival in Heaven to finally be wedded to her Groom –– Lord Jesus –– (Rev. 19:7, 8), and be eternally united with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

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[Bolded, capped and underlined emphases in the NKJV Scriptures used here are mine. -- Celia]

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-- But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen ASLEEP. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so IN CHRIST ALL shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming [appearing] (1Corinthians 15:20-23). –– [Read entire chapter.]

-- … a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." ... And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but SLEEPING." And they laughed Him to scorn. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose (Matthew 9:18, 23-25).

-- … "Our friend Lazarus SLEEPS, but I go that I may wake him up." Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead" (John 11:11-14).

-- And many of those who SLEEP in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). –– [Compare with John 5:28, 29]

-- And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell ASLEEP (Acts 7:59, 60).

-- For [King] David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell ASLEEP, was buried with his fathers… (Acts 13:36).

-- But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen ASLEEP [rest in the grave], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who SLEEP in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are ASLEEP. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven WITH A SHOUT, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP [raptured] together with them in the clouds TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).

-- Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all SLEEP, but we shall 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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible [the flesh] must put on incorruption [a spiritual, glorious body], and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades [Hell], where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law [The Bible - Word of God]. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:50-57).

-- "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. … My sheep HEAR My voice … and I give them eternal life" (John 10:14, 27, 28).

-- For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection… . Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more (Romans 6:5, 8, 9).

-- Blessed and HOLY is he who has part in the first resurrection [the Rapture]. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

-- But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?" Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain––perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body… So also is the RESURRECTION of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is RAISED in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is RAISED in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is RAISED in power. It is sown a natural body, it is RAISED a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body (1Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44).

-- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1Peter 1:3-5).

-- …He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus… (2Corinthians 4:14).

-- Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead… (2Corinthians 1:9).

-- For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body… (Philippians 3:20, 21).

-- You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing… .As for me I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied WHEN I AWAKE in Your likeness (King David – Psalm 17:3, 15).

-- Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. … Establish your hearts for the coming [appearing] of the Lord is at hand (James 5:7, 8).

-- "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE MAY DIE, HE SHALL LIVE [eternally]. AND WHOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE" (John 11:25, 26).

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POST DATE: June 8, 2003