2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
While tracing my Family Tree, through my Father's lineage, I came across many family members that I didn't know, weren't even aware, or aren't here any longer. I found that many were sent forth as ambassadors for our Father, to different locations. I grew up in southern Illinois and God sent me to Upstate New York (the place where I met my wife and served at Camp Drum). We moved here with eight kids, my brother-in-law and our friends (who were expecting their first child in a month's time).
I've met so many of my family members in this location and am still in contact with them as they've moved forth to other locations to preach the Word. As I was in fellowship with my Father about these things, He informed me that He was readying for a family reunion in the very near future, where all His family would come to His House for a great, reunion supper. He said that He had already marked the date on His calendar and was sending forth angels the announcement. These special messengers would summon His family home for the celebration.
Paul writes in 2Corinthians 5:8-9 (Amplified), "(Yes) we have confidence and hopeful courage and are pleased rather to be away from home out of our body and be at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home (on earth away from Him) or away from home (and with Him); we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him."
Those in the new creation family have a job to complete, while we are "away from Him" and in this body. We are to act as His personal representatives, while we are here and bring forth children to His family. Some are working to teach and train up those children, after they have been brought into the fold. Each of us has a part to play, because we all are mirrors that reflect Him to the world's eyes. We have been given the privilege of nurturing and training the Father's children, through the Holy Spirit and His Word. The babes in Christ, must be fed the milk of God's Word and demonstrated the Father's Love, through us. Many in the family, still don't understand the Father and His place and desire for them. I find more and more in His letters to us, what the Father's will and heart towards His children are.
We don't always hear the Father like we should, because we are still present in this body and are not fully present with Him at Home. Like any loving father, He Love His children and has a desired plan for their futures and safekeeping (while we are away from Him, in this body). It's needful for Him to have us on assignments in this world, because this is where He's needed most. There are no more needs in His Kingdom (Heaven).
The Father misses His children, while they are on assignment here on earth, and longs to have them Home with Him. It's necessary, though, for us to be away working for the Kingdom. God looks forward with great anticipation, for the family reunion He has planned for us. He will announce this reunion with a soon-coming trumpet blast and those who have already left this earthly body, are coming with Him to receive their mortal bodies again. Those of us who are in our earthly bodies, will be changed into His Image and will enter into His House with great fanfare.
We can read about His plans for this reunion in 1Thessalonians 4:14-18 (Amplified) which says, "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep (in death) For this we declare to you by the Lord's (Own) Word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede (into His Presence) or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep (in Him in death). For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God; And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first." Verses 17-18 go on, "Then we, the living ones who remain (on the earth) shall simultaneously be caught up along with (the resurrected dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of eternities) we shall be with the Lord. Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these Words."
This is the great family reunion, our Father has been in constant joyous planning. His children will be gathered safely in His House and He Himself will dwell with us, like His heart has longed for from before the foundations of the world. This was God's heart from the beginning and is now, to be made full. I can see and understand the great Love the Father has for me and you, through the letters He dictated to the brothers who proceeded us. I know now, how His desire is to bless me and , therefore, make me a blessing to others. As I carry out His instructions, along with the co-laborers He has sent to bring in the harvest, I know that this great Homecoming is what His heart holds for all of mankind. We have not only become those who "sow the Seed" of the new creation, but we are those who will reap the harvest. While we are here, each of us has a portion, that is different from each other. Every one of us, have been called to sow more Seeds of Life, by preaching and nourishing the new creation babies with the milk and meat of His Word.
You will be amazed to find at this family reunion, how you have added to the Father's House. We will each find a place set just for us, at the table. The Father will greet each of us with, "Welcome" and "Well done." What a day that will be, for both us and the Father! 1Thessalonians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "Accordingly then, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect)."
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