Read Online Heaven and Hell by Kenneth Zeigler - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kenneth Zeigler
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born and raised in Alabama, I always dreamed of having a home such as this,” said Jennifer, setting out slices of pie on three plates on the kitchen table for her son and special guest. She placed her arm around her son. “It’s so wonderful to have you here, still, I expected that I would go many more years before seeing you again. I wanted you to have a long life.” There was a moment of hesitation. “And what is it with those clothes? Have fashions changed that much while I’ve been gone?”
Chris laughed. “No, I joined an organization, a club. One of the things we do is help present renaissance fairs. We have a lot of dress-up events. I’d been at a banquet before, well, before I ended up here.”
Jennifer smiled. “My, your interests sure have changed. I seem to remember that you were not all that thrilled with the renaissance festival your dad and I took you to when you were growing up. You were bored. About the only thing that caught your interest was the food, especially that big turkey leg, and that Galileo tent show. Why the big change?”
“Oh,” said Chris. “I’m still not all that interested in it; but, you see, I met this special friend, who….”
“Yes, go on,” urged Jennifer.
The smile vanished from Chris’s face. “I don’t remember. I really don’t. It all seems so distant now, my life on Earth, that is. I know it was only just a few hours ago, but, right now, it seems like forever ago and a billion miles away. There is so much I don’t remember. That bothers me.” Chris turned to Jesus.
“Don’t be concerned, Chris, it is normal. It is part of our Father’s plan. You see, there are parts of your life on Earth, memories that could cause you pain here, things that you had no control over. Until you have the inner strength, the spiritual maturity, to face them, you will not remember them. Some things will come back to you over time, others will not.”
Chris had to think about that one for a moment. “I’m sorry, Lord, I don’t know that I totally understand.”
Jesus took Chris’s hand in His. “When I walked upon your Earth, I spoke to all who would hear my voice. I spoke to people around the dinner table, at the temple, even on the road. Many times, I addressed thousands, bringing to them the good news that there was hope of eternal life. They didn’t have to be separated from God anymore. They could come directly into His presence, commune with Him, even as I did. My heart went out to every one of them. I loved each and every one of them. I died for all of them, anyone who would accept and believe what I had to say. I showed all the way out of their sins, the way out of Hell. Do you understand?”
“Sure,” Chris said. “I heard and believed.”
“Yes,” confirmed Jesus, “you did, but many more did not. I knew the content of their hearts from the moment I saw them. I knew that many would not accept the good news, but I had to give it to them anyway. They had hardened their hearts. Even as I spoke to them, I knew what they would do. I loved them so much, but knew that they were on the road to eternal separation from our Father. Can you understand what that feels like?”
Chris nodded.
“I cannot tell you how many times I wept over that very thing. I didn’t desire for them to die in their sins, but even I, the Son of Man, was powerless to prevent it. What the Father has done for you is to spare you from this pain.”
“I think I understand now,” said Chris. “I’m not going to remember loved ones who are not coming here to Heaven, those sentenced to Hell.”
“That is true,” said Jesus. “Still, the time may come when you desire to know all that transpired during your life on Earth, that you might profit from the experience. That is a big step, and it can be painful. Most people never come to that point. They decide that they don’t really want to know. If that day does come for you, the knowledge is yours; our Father will not forbid it. You
Chris laughed. “No, I joined an organization, a club. One of the things we do is help present renaissance fairs. We have a lot of dress-up events. I’d been at a banquet before, well, before I ended up here.”
Jennifer smiled. “My, your interests sure have changed. I seem to remember that you were not all that thrilled with the renaissance festival your dad and I took you to when you were growing up. You were bored. About the only thing that caught your interest was the food, especially that big turkey leg, and that Galileo tent show. Why the big change?”
“Oh,” said Chris. “I’m still not all that interested in it; but, you see, I met this special friend, who….”
“Yes, go on,” urged Jennifer.
The smile vanished from Chris’s face. “I don’t remember. I really don’t. It all seems so distant now, my life on Earth, that is. I know it was only just a few hours ago, but, right now, it seems like forever ago and a billion miles away. There is so much I don’t remember. That bothers me.” Chris turned to Jesus.
“Don’t be concerned, Chris, it is normal. It is part of our Father’s plan. You see, there are parts of your life on Earth, memories that could cause you pain here, things that you had no control over. Until you have the inner strength, the spiritual maturity, to face them, you will not remember them. Some things will come back to you over time, others will not.”
Chris had to think about that one for a moment. “I’m sorry, Lord, I don’t know that I totally understand.”
Jesus took Chris’s hand in His. “When I walked upon your Earth, I spoke to all who would hear my voice. I spoke to people around the dinner table, at the temple, even on the road. Many times, I addressed thousands, bringing to them the good news that there was hope of eternal life. They didn’t have to be separated from God anymore. They could come directly into His presence, commune with Him, even as I did. My heart went out to every one of them. I loved each and every one of them. I died for all of them, anyone who would accept and believe what I had to say. I showed all the way out of their sins, the way out of Hell. Do you understand?”
“Sure,” Chris said. “I heard and believed.”
“Yes,” confirmed Jesus, “you did, but many more did not. I knew the content of their hearts from the moment I saw them. I knew that many would not accept the good news, but I had to give it to them anyway. They had hardened their hearts. Even as I spoke to them, I knew what they would do. I loved them so much, but knew that they were on the road to eternal separation from our Father. Can you understand what that feels like?”
Chris nodded.
“I cannot tell you how many times I wept over that very thing. I didn’t desire for them to die in their sins, but even I, the Son of Man, was powerless to prevent it. What the Father has done for you is to spare you from this pain.”
“I think I understand now,” said Chris. “I’m not going to remember loved ones who are not coming here to Heaven, those sentenced to Hell.”
“That is true,” said Jesus. “Still, the time may come when you desire to know all that transpired during your life on Earth, that you might profit from the experience. That is a big step, and it can be painful. Most people never come to that point. They decide that they don’t really want to know. If that day does come for you, the knowledge is yours; our Father will not forbid it. You
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