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radioWhat Happens After Death Part 7
Continued from page 3
Peter had a glimpse of glory that he never forgot. The memory of it was bright in his mind in old age: for when he wrote his second letter, in chapter 1, he speaks of that spectacular transfiguration of Christ - it's when the person of Jesus glowed with light on the mountain:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [Take note those who think that the New Testament Gospels were not written by eye witnesses.] We were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty, for when he received honour and glory from God the Father and the voice was carried to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,' we heard this voice from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
The description of this glimpse of glory is given in all of the first three Gospels. Mark who wrote down Peter's description says in Mark chapter 9: the garments of Jesus became glistening, intensely white, whiter than any launderette could bleach them. The Gospel writers grope for words. Luke says, 'As Jesus was praying on the mountain, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothes became dazzling white.' Matthew says, 'His face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light.' Jesus was transformed in front of them.
It was then that Peter, James and John were astonished to see two men talking with the Lord Jesus.
Were they angels? No. They were two famous characters in Old Testament history: Moses and Elijah - but how did they know? They'd never met them before and they'd had very little description of what they looked like.
This opens up the questions again - shall we recognise our loved ones in heaven? If so, then how?
Remember the little girl aged eight who, as she was dying, recognised her baby brother? Now that baby brother died before she was born, and what is more that baby brother was only a few hours old when he died - so there is a marvellous mystery. Had that newborn babe matured in heaven? Had he come with Jesus to welcome her?
First published in Miracles & Angels, Dr E K Victor
Pearce. 
Dr Victor Pearce became an honours graduate of London University in anthropology, through University College, and specialised at Oxford in prehistoric archaeology. He travelled to archaeological digs and conducted research around the Mediterranean including Turkey and the Levant and also in the USA. He read theology at the London College of Divinity; is a Prebendary of Lichfield Cathedral; was Rector of one of the largest Anglican parishes in England; has had 25 curates, built two churches and several halls (one by voluntary labour). He was a member of the Diocesan Synod; was chairman of an ad hoc committee of the Education Council for a new religious syllabus and a visiting lecturer in two Bible colleges.
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my dad was dying in hospital and he came to me in my dreams just before he died a shy man in life who never said he loved me it was left up to me to cuddle him and reassure him i loved him then he gave me his last advice and said get yourself a young woman i laughed at his advice in jest said back to him yes like you did as his wife was 14 years his junior i know he is safe in Christ and with his family