It was difficult to hold back tears. There they were, rows and rows of identical tombstones with the same epitaph: "A saint, this is where he will rise to meet his Savior." In a country where believers were persecuted for many years, choosing to be buried this way was their last and lasting testimony of their faith. Where in the Bible did they get this idea and confidence from? For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first? And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thess 4:16-17 (NIV) Apostle Paul gave this encouragement to the believers of the early churches. There is a glorious hope after this life of persecution and suffering. When it ends, what begins is everything I have lived and hoped for, to be in His eternal presence. Believers don't usually think much about eternity, not because we are ignorant of its reality but because we are too busy enjoying this life. It is not anyone's fault. But I do find it is good for all of us to take a walk in the garden of stones once a while. It provides a good opportunity for an eternity check. Do I have the assurance that I will be with Him for eternity?