First Sight
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)
What does one see upon transitioning from this life?
Within the context of the above verse, the religious leaders had Stephen on trial for the crime of blasphemous behavior. Yet, Stephen condemned them with the same Scriptures they claimed he violated. Consequently, these Jews became angry and cried at the top of their voices while putting their hands over their ears in a vain attempt to drown out Stephen’s voice. This respectable Sanhedrin Council turned into an unruly mob, rushed Stephen, dragged him from the temple, cast him into a pit, and threw stones until his death.
Yet, while Stephen began his transitioning, he uttered these last words, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Can you imagine the heavenly scene where the Lord himself leads a cheering section on behalf of Stephen? Just imagine the look of adoration from others when Stephen arrived in heaven. Similarly, the star athlete who made the winning basket during the NBA playoffs afterward received congratulatory comments everywhere he went in the city. Likewise, Stephen’s accolades originated from the heavenly host, but the highest honor sought by all humanity came from God the Father’s approval. An endorsement of this nature will last for eternity. The gesture when the Savior stood up by God the Father only suggests that He applauded the results of Stephen’s stance against the Sanhedrin Council and that Jesus agreed with Stephen’s message and interpretation of the Scriptures. Primarily, Jesus’ standing from his authoritative post symbolized a welcoming gesture, like a father standing in the doorway of his home welcoming a loved one from a distance journey. Jesus extended a warm welcome to Stephen because Stephen had fulfilled the mission of God’s Kingdom. So as Stephen transitioned from this world, his last words to the religious leaders were – I see into the heavens to the throne of God, and I see my Savior, the Son of man, standing with approval of my actions on Earth.
In the same manner, I wonder what I will see as soon as I transition from my earthly home to the next. With faith, I, too, will see Jesus standing with approval as the heavens open, revealing my next home prepared for those who love God. Remember the words of Jesus in John 14:1-2, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Do you have this same vision?
