It was our privilege recently to take part in the annual Homecoming of an area church at which a former pastor shared concerning his father's passing. Following a heart attack, his father had had a "death experience" at the local hospital. Revived by the efforts of the attending physician and staff, his father had been much disappointed upon regaining consciousness. He had, he related, caught a glimpse of the other side including loved ones there, and did not wish to return. Were he ever again to be in a similar situation, they were not to revive him. Now, once more, and this time without recall, he has passed over.
Most of us know, or know of, persons relating similar experiences or who, in some instances, have shared that which they were seeing in passing from this life. Their accounts inspire us. Indeed, we ourselves had an uncle who knew the Lord and whose last words reported the presence of angels.
While some have understood Hebrews 12:1 ("seeing we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses") to indicate our being observed by those gone to be with Christ, we are aware that the verse more likely refers to those whose lives bore witness of their trust in God's faithfulness (Heb. 11). At the same time, who is to say that both views may not be correct? (One can find "authorities" on both sides of the question, although those of the latter tend to predominate).
It brings to mind a church we served for some years. Begun in a rural school by a circuit riding Baptist preacher (not all circuit riding clergy were Methodist, although many of the frontier era were), the work prospered and was eventually moved across the river into town - which, incidentally, placed it in what would become another state.
In a room off the sanctuary, pictures of those having pastored the church over a period of many years were mounted on the wall. The founding pastor's picture, with his long beard and nineteenth century pose, used to particularly catch my eye. On more than one occasion I stood observing it, wondering if, from the other side, he could see the result of his labors - and if so, given the insight now attendant his present state, how our own service to Christ in the work he had established might be seen.
There will, of course, be a higher court of opinion when we one day join him on the other side. God grant us to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant." At that point other opinions will little count.
Burl Ratzsch
