Divine transportation

Fifteen years ago, this beautiful girl made her last trip, carried on angel wings to the presence of God.

In my Bible reading this morning I came to the passage where Jesus walked on water.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles,^[b] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:16-21

When the disciples took Jesus into the boat, immediately it was at Capernaum, because that was where they were headed!

Another instance with immediate transportation was after Philip had witnessed to the Ethiopian Eunuch on the road that leads to Gaza. This is what happened after he baptized him:

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Acts 8:39,40

The Spirit of the Lord carried Philip to Azotus! How awesome is that! Divine transportation!

What about the prophet Elijah? He got very special transportation to heaven. As he was bidding farewell of Elisha, who was to carry on the ministry, chariots of fire and horses of fire came to escort Elijah home to God. And he went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
2 Kings 2:11,12

There are many accounts of people being supernaturally transported to heaven, but they were not allowed to stay because their mission on earth was not complete. So they came back, and that’s how we know about it.

Lazarus spent four days away from his physical body; then Jesus brought him back to earth. I wonder what stories he had to tell! The Bible does not give us that account. It’s not important. What matters is that we know for sure in our own heart what Jesus said to Lazarus’ sister Martha.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

That is our hope of glory. My precious Eva-Marie believed in Jesus. She is in the presence of God, reunited with her beloved Daddy. One day soon God will call me home. Will I go in chariots of fire? Probably not.

Here is an interesting account:

Enoch walked with God, and he was not,  for God took him.
Genesis 5:24

I would love to have this epitaph on my tombstone: “She walked with God.” That is what Enoch did, and then he was not, for God took him. Enoch just disappeared!

Had that been today there would be all kinds of search parties looking for him. But they would never find him. He just went home with God!

That’s what I’m thinking about today. Fifteen years ago, my firstborn went home with God. We had to pull the plug on her. The battle with cystic fibrosis was over. She contracted pneumonia and her body was completely infected. There was no antibiotic that could fight it.

My friend Karen, who was with me at the time together with her husband Bruce, was the one who advised me. She told me the doctors were just waiting for us to say the word and they would pull the plug. Eva-Marie was on a ventilator. Now Karen has also been carried by angels to her home in heaven.

I pray to God that you have this hope. Jesus is preparing a wonderful place for us, but we must believe in him and receive him as our personal Savior.

This is what we recited when the line on the heart monitor went flat, when my heart was broken because I would not have her anymore:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7,8

The Apostle Paul wrote these words at the end of his life.

• Fight the good fight
• Finish the race
• Keep the faith

Then, one day, there will be divine transportation for you, too.

Let’s meet up in Heaven!