Some years ago radio evangelist Charles E. Fuller announced that he would
speak the following Sunday on "Heaven." It was to be broadcast on radio.
During that week he received a letter from an old man who was very ill.
Here is part of that letter:
"Next Sunday you are to talk about "Heaven." I am interested in that land
because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over 55
years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without
price. But the donor purchased it for me at a tremendous sacrifice. I am
not holding it for speculation since the title is nontransferable. It is
not a vacant lot.
"For more than a half-century I have been sending material out of which the
greatest architect and builder of the universe has been building a home for
me, which will never need to be repaired because it will suit me perfectly,
individually, and will never grow old.
"Termites can never undermine its foundation for it rests upon the Rock of
Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or
bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever
enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and ready for
me to enter it and abide in peace eternally without fear of being ejected.
"There is a valley of deep shadow between the place where I live in
California and that to which I shall journey in a very short time. I cannot
reach my home in the City of God without passing through the dark valley of
shadows. But I am not afraid, because the best friend that I have ever had
went through the same valley alone, a long, long, time ago and drove away
all the gloom. He has stuck by me through thick and thin since we first met
and became acquainted 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form,
never to forsake nor to leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk
through the valley of shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with
me.
"I hope to hear your sermon on "Heaven" next Sunday from my home, but I have
no assurance that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date
marked for the journey...no return coupon...and no permit for baggage. Yes,
I am ready to go and may not be here while you are talking next Sunday, but
I shall meet you there some day."
--Author Unknown