come home for christmas
“God will bring them back.” —Baruch 5:6
Imagine your children being “led away on foot” by your enemies (Bar 5:6). Imagine your son handcuffed and led off to prison. What if your children were exiled in a foreign land and you would probably never see them again? This is similar to what the Jewish people went through at the Babylonian exile. About forty years later, Yahweh performed one of His greatest miracles. He freed the Jewish exiles, and they returned home.
The Church brings this to our attention because this Christmas the Lord wants to bring our children home to Him. He wants those imprisoned and exiled to repent of their sins and to come to Him this Christmas.
At this moment, some people are possibly entering into hell. They smell a rancid, putrid odor. They hear shrieks and howls. They are attacked and beaten by demons. They live in unimaginable pain and terror.
At this moment, some people are possibly entering into heaven. They are “borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones” (Bar 5:6). They are indescribably joyful (see 1 Pt 1:8) and radiant. They are being embraced by Jesus and by their family and friends who have died in Christ. They are perfectly happy forever.
Come home to Jesus for Christmas. It makes all the difference in the world — and beyond the world.
Prayer: Father, may I have an everlasting Christmas party in heaven with no one missing.
Promise: “All mankind shall see the salvation of God.” —Lk 3:6
Praise: “He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces” (Is 25:8). Lord Jesus, we acknowledge and praise Your Resurrection. All praise and glory to our Risen Lord, Who always leads us on the path to glory.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Am I Going to Heaven?, listen to, download or order our CD 54-3 or DVD 54 on our website.)
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