A couple of weeks ago, June and I were having lunch with two widow friends, one of whom just lost her husband in January. The new widow, a strong, lifelong believer, asked where we thought her husband was “right now.” Some sort of limbo, “soul sleep,” or can we say he’s consciously in God’s presence in heaven now?

I’ll have to admit that I haven’t studied this in detail although I did read Randy Alcorn’s excellent 800-page book Heaven, which I strongly recommend. I don’t remember Randy’s exact answer to that question, but I lean toward consciousness and enjoying the presence of God and those who have gone before:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (Philippians 1.21 – 23, ESV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… (Hebrews 12.1, ESV, following the “Faith Hall of Fame” chapter)

This position was bolstered at last Sunday’s memorial service for my friend and long-time Navigator hero, Skip Gray, who passed last November at the age of 91. I may share some things from that service over the next few days, but let’s start with the sermon, preached by a pastor I didn’t know, Ron Rushing. He says he actually got the outline from Skip when Ron was getting ready to preach a funeral a few years ago. Here’s the message:

• I know where Skip is – with Jesus in heaven
• I know how he got there – by following Jesus as THE way
• I know I will see him again.

[Jesus said, ] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14.6, ESV)