The World Beyond

In the last work written before he died in 1992, French composer Olivier Messiaen tried to imagine what lay beyond death. The work, called “Illuminations of the Beyond,” was the culmination of a lifetime in which Messiaen pondered the things of God.

He described how he often spoke “of faith to atheists.” But in this final work, Messiaen tried “simply to imagine what will come to pass.” He focused on Jesus, “who will be the light of the resurrected: they will shine with the light of Christ.”

In his last interview, he commented, “I imagined myself in front of a curtain, in darkness, apprehensive about what lay beyond: resurrection, eternity, the other life.”

A famed musician described the first time he heard this piece in concert. When the music proclaimed, “And God shall wipe away all tears,” he “started to weep uncontrollably.” The music had such “incredible emotional power.”

What the Bible tells us about Heaven should fill our hearts with joy. We can look forward to spending eternity with Jesus in the glorious place He has prepared for us (John 14:3). There, every problem we experience on earth will seem unimportant.

Today, do not be in despair or allow worry or fear to fill your heart. Remember, if you have committed your life to Jesus, you will spend eternity with Him. He will wipe away every tear from your eyes.