"But he, being full of the Holy Spirit,
gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."
Acts 7:55
A medical doctor was interviewed on television. He had written a book about patients having a clinical death experience who had been revived. He had journaled interviews with them, as they shared their experiences. The doctor had concluded from his interviews that there is life after death. The interviewer asked all the typical questions about the effects of medication and hallucinations, and the doctor explained how the experiences were different from those determined as clinically dead.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, believed in life after death because he saw a vision of heaven. He saw the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Stephen saw Jesus at the right hand of God.
Jesus is exalted as the believer's mediator, intercessor, and advocate with the Father. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, guaranteeing the forgiveness of our sins and the sure way to heaven. He is the believer's intercessor as our High Priest. Christ is our advocate with the Father. He speaks on our behalf as the surety of all our sins forgiven (1 John 2:1).
All fear of death is gone in the face of Christ. When we look into His face, we see love and mercy. In the face of Jesus, we see heaven. He is the focus of heaven, because He is our salvation and deliverance from death and judgment. Jesus says to each one of us, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25).
Lord Jesus, we look to You as the sure way to heaven.
