The Angels in Heaven Rejoice

Excerpt from The Angels in Heaven Rejoice by David Cerullo

Jesus is Coming Back!

Jesus told His disciples that He was going to Heaven to prepare a place for them, and that one day He would come back and take them to be with Him. One day Jesus is returning to earth for the Church, His “Bride,” and bring us to Heaven to live forever. Until that day, we are to follow the Way that was made clear. There is only one Way to Heaven, and it’s through Jesus Christ. So many people stumble over Jesus as the only means of salvation. Instead, they should be thrilled that God has provided a Way at all. Praise God for His marvelous provision for those of us who trust in Jesus!

The “Last Days”

When you hear people talking about the “Last Days,” the “Second Coming,” and the “Rapture” of the Church, they are referring to the day that Jesus will return. No one knows the exact day or the hour, but we do know that God is faithful to His Word, and one day our Savior will return as He promised.

Christ’s return will not be like His first coming when He was born and placed in a humble manger. His return will be in Heavenly glory with trumpet sounds as He comes victoriously for His children. The Apostle Paul talks about this day in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Paul goes on to encourage us to “comfort one another” with this good news. I know life can be hard at times, but it’s important that we cultivate an eternal perspective, looking to our future “homecoming” with such eagerness that we find comfort and strength to live well for Jesus right now!

Paul assured his readers in the rest of his letter to the Thessalonians that the coming of the Lord is not a day to be feared. In verse 9 and 10 of the next chapter he states, “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” Paul urges his readers not to become so obsessed with the Second Coming of Christ that they forget to live for today.

As Christians, we surely are excited for the day that our Lord will return. Until then, it’s important to live as Paul explained in verse 8: “Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” We should live each day to the fullest. We are never promised tomorrow, so always share the light and love of Christ until we hear that trumpet sound!

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

The angels in Heaven are surely rejoicing over your salvation, and I join them with thanksgiving for you! What an exciting life you have stepped into! There are so many wonderful blessings that await you, not only in this life, but also in the life to come. I hope this book has helped open a door that shows you what it means to have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, what it means to be “born again,” and what Christianity is all about.

I have tried to explain some basic spiritual truths the Bible holds. I know you can appreciate how each heading or chapter in this book could have been a separate book. But, this was not my intent. I simply want this book to help your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ get started in the right direction.

No matter what happens in your life, remember always to trust in the Lord. He will never leave you nor forsake you. God is a faithful God. He has brought you this far, and He will see you through!

My friend, as you begin your new walk with Christ, I pray that . . .

• The light of Christ’s love shines so brightly through you that no one will be able to deny the difference in your life.
• You overflow with the joy of the Lord and learn to draw strength from Him.
• His unsurpassable peace fills your heart and your mind at all times.
• You learn to rest in His amazing grace and be refreshed by His mercy each morning.
• You learn to trust God’s hand for guidance and look to Him for direction in your life.
• You be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
• You hunger and thirst for righteousness.
• You walk with Christ daily, living a life that draws others toward Him.

Press on, my dear friend, to win the prize to which God has called you. Shine your light brightly so that all may see Christ in you. And one day, you will stand before your Lord Jesus in Heaven and hear the marvelous words of your Savior and Friend, “Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your Master” (Matthew 25:21)! Amen.

…

Order your copy of The Angels in Heaven Rejoice by David Cerullo