Today I was reading in 2 Maccabees, the section in chapters 6 & 7 when the temple was desecrated, and the Jewish people were persecuted. This is where we get the story of the martyrdom of seven brothers (whose relics are said to be in the church of St. Peter in Chains, in Rome, though as a historian I have to admit that the "chain of evidence" on that one might put it in the "less than certain" category).
In any case, you can imagine how this story of persecution and martyrdom, over a century before Christ, was a source of comfort for the early Christians during times of persecution. I wish I had paid more attention to this text when I was writing my book, "What Really Happens After We Die?" because it confirms the belief in the resurrection - again, over a century before Christ - and provides a great background for what Paul says about resurrection (for example, in I Corinthians 15).
The point is that the martyrs were willing to die for their (Jewish) faith, for the same reason that Christian martyrs are willing to die - because we believe in something bigger than life, and we believe that death is not the end. And I love what the mother of the seven brothers says to the youngest: "In the time of God's mercy I [will] receive you again with your brothers" (2 Macc 7:19).
So here is an OT passage that confirms the thesis that heaven is a reunion with those who went there before us. That is part of the hope of resurrection. Heaven is not just me & Jesus staring into each others' eyes for all eternity, but as Jesus himself described it, heaven is a family reunion (Matthew 22).
Dear friends - Please take 10 minutes to watch this personal update from me:
I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
The problem with us men is that often we don't have the wisdom to be a father until we're a grandfather.
This may sounds like some ironic statement that makes you nod your head in agreement but shrug your shoulders in resignation, thinking, well there's nothing we can do about that. But the practical application of that is that it demonstrates how important it is for kids to grow up around their grandparents. But as in our culture the family becomes ever more fractured and spread out, that is harder and harder to do.
Lately I've been thinking that part of the problem is the whole concept of college. It used to be that everyone thought a person had to go to college to make a good living. Not only is that not the case (truck drivers make more money than I do) but now college has gone from useless to actually ruining our kids. But when I went to college, what you were supposed to do is figure out what career you wanted (as if anyone knows that at age 18) and then go away to the college ...
And don't forget, if you would like to read my latest novel:
The Sword and the Clover - just let me know by email.
I'm happy to send you the PDF version, even if you haven't been a monetary supporter of the community - all I ask is that you don't share it with anyone else.
My email address:
Keep in touch!
JIm
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