This post is an update, a testimony and a teaching about life and death.
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not tastes of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." ~ Matthew 16 : 28
"And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power." ~ Mark 9 : 1
"But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Kingdom of God." ~ Luke 9 : 27
Here we have three witnesses, three disciples, who walked with Jesus, all testifying of His gospel, a mystery of life and death. Those whom Jesus was speaking to did not understand the meaning of these words or how it was possible. Even today there are believers, who find this a mystery. Some may believe Jesus was speaking of the rapture, where "we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) But no, Jesus was not speaking about the rapture.
He said "there be some standing here", there in His presence at that time. We know that every one of those standing there have all died physically. But we also know that some of those there with Him, did not taste of death, even though they died in the natural. We who are here on Earth are constrained with time and natural laws, our minds forget that God, who wrote the end from the beginning, is not constrained with time or natural law, neither is His Kingdom. Jesus' death and resurrection truly is everlasting life for Christians. Yes, our bodies are destined to die, but no, we will not taste of death. Jesus said this 'truly'. In Him is truth and life. He showed me, or reminded me of the meaning of this mystery, through the end of life journey of my Dad and his transition from death, to life.
On Thursday, May 5, 2022, I awoke the morning, said my prayer, posted the daily scripture. It was Romans 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fullfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." I did not realize it at that moment, but a few hours after posting this scripture, my Dad would literally begin to shed his failing flesh, and he would transition to the spirit.
That day was a spirit filled day. Literally, he spoke from the spirit, he saw from the spirit, and he testified of the spirit.
I left my laptop, got dressed and went over to take care of him, the morning of May 5, 2022. My Dad had intrahepatic metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (Stage IV Biliary Tract Cancer). I will not go into the details of the weakened state I found him in, for your sake and the sake of his dignity and respect, and because it was traumatic. I called his hospice nurse. She came out, the hospice Chaplin came out, and several other nurses and caregivers would come out that day. That evening family members came in to say their goodbyes, and others were notified.
Inside of Dad's cabin room, we were slowly saying our farewells. Dad hugged me, kissed me and told me he would love me forever. I assured him we would be together again one day soon. He spoke of his burial and I assured him that he would have a burial with veteran military honors. He sort of chuckled and said "ok, if you say so" as if he half believed it. We prayed, we played worship videos, talked about the Lord and Dad assured us of his salvation. He said he was forgiven and that he forgave others. He made peace with things that he unnecessarily carried with him in this life. He let it all go, all the regret, resentments, emotional pain. He said he was ready to go and he wanted to go so bad. As family came in to see him for the last time here on earth, he gave encouragement and kind words to the younger ones, his love and wise words to everyone.
As he transitioned he began to see what the flesh cannot. He saw his grandson pulling up without even leaving his bed. He saw people, who were not there in the flesh, but in the spirit "about six of them" he said. Not knowing that my husband had prayed and asked God to send certain people from Dad's life who had already passed on to help him transition home to heaven (those certain people, numbered six), Dad saw them. Minutes later he would tell my sister "they are calling me. They are saying 'James. Jaaammesss.'" His testimony of what he was seeing in the spirit, was also a testimony that God had heard and answered my husbands prayer. Dad was in that secret place, where only the spirit can go and God was allowing him to testify of it through his flesh. Though he could no longer see the physical world or respond to it, he was speaking from the spirit, of things of the spirit.
A few hours later, though he was totally unresponsive, he would reach up and say 'Apple'. A few hours after that, he would be facing straight, even though he could not hold his head upright, this time he did, as he said 'The King!". Praise GOD!!! But Dad was still breathing. About 10:00 the next morning Dad's body was still breathing, but that's all. The nurse could not find a pulse or a heart beat.
I went out on the porch while the nurse was there and sat for a moment. I asked God to give me a sign when Dad had made it safely home. Before I could say 'Amen' a hummingbird flew up and hovered in front of my garden flag that says 'He has Risen!'.
I had not seen my hummingbirds in over a year. I knew this was the sign I had asked for and that God had heard and answered my prayer immediately. And yet I pondered how this could be while he was still breathing. I went back inside immediately to see if he was still breathing. He was. At around 12:30 ,the Chaplin and hospice social worker told me and my sister to go take a break. It was after we left, at 12:45 our Dad took his final breath.
Just 19 days earlier, on Easter Sunday, April 17th, 2022, I had ministered to my Dad his last communion. He also enjoyed Easter dinner with us. It was the last full meal Dad was able to eat. And I am so glad that he was able to take communion. The Lord's last supper, was also my Dad's last. Our next meal together will be at the great wedding feast!
The following week after Dad passed away, hospice had came to pick up his equipment. I dreaded that day. It was hard for me to let go and i wanted to hang on to the bed he had died on. But I knew that Dad would want it to go back as soon as possible for someone else in need. I just selfishly wanted to lay on it and cry while I grieved. Just the hour before they were to arrive to pick it up, God brought to my mind Dad saying apple, and Dad saying the King. He showed me that Dad was already with Jesus in the garden before his body quit breathing. And Jesus spoke to me after bringing those things to mind and he said "TRULY, THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME SHALL NOT TASTE OF DEATH!" At that moment, I understood the mystery of those three verses. I believed them before, because, I know God's Word is True. But I did not truly understand them, until this moment, when He let me live it, see it, hear it and understand it. You don't have to believe me, but DO believe Jesus when He said, "But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Kingdom of God." ~ Luke 9 : 27
My Dad may have died but while his body was dying he did not taste of death, because he was already in the Kingdom of God! I thank God and praise Him for showing me this truth, not just through His Word in the Gospels, but through revelation and hearing His voice TELL me! Within the hour of this revelation they came to pick up Dad's equipment and I helped them carry it out. I was filled with Joy and shared the victory that Dad had won, knowing with great joy, that he no longer needed it! I cannot truly describe the feeling of victory, happiness and joy that I was feeling at that time. God is always on time. Had they have came sooner to pick up those things I would have been grieved. I thank God and praise Him and give Him all the glory!
Over a month now has passed since I buried my Dad, and I have still grieved and been in mourning. Please forgive me for not posting the daily scriptures or answering emails during that time and forgive me for not finding someone who could. Instead I trusted God would still be working through His ministry without me. And He has, graciously and patiently. Yesterday, Monday, June 13th, I decided it was time I get back to working His online ministry, feeding His flock and sharing His Word. When I asked God to show me what scripture He would have me post, I opened His Word and my eyes saw only Isaiah 60 : 20. Fittingly, He was in agreeance and in this scripture He told me that He would be my Everlasting Light and that the days of my mourning have ended. It's time to go back to work. And I love working for the best boss anyone could have, who calls me His friend. He is my everything, my life, my heart and soul, ALL belong to Him. His words are all true, and His love is powerful, His works are beyond miraculous and awesome! Words are not enough! Ask Him and receive! Give your life to Him and SEE! All the things in His Word you WILL see and MORE! He said it and it is so. And it's so simple, all you have to do is ask. Believe in Him and you will not taste of death! Your body may sleep in the grave but your soul will be with the Lord in His Kingdom. Bless you Holy Father, that all Your Words and Works be fulfilled, for Your pleasure, honor and glory.
The following is the last picture that my Dad asked me to take of him. It was taken the day before he died.
In Loving Memory of
James Joseph Worrell
November 22, 1949 - May 6, 2022
