When Death Suddenly Comes

(An article given to me by a dear lady who wished to remain anonymous)

After celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on the 11th November, 1991, my husband and I rejoiced at God’s goodness to us and our three married children and their children, all of whom love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Six months after this happy event we were asked to stay at our daughter’s home for a couple of weeks while they were away on holiday. We moved in on Friday and early on Saturday morning the family left for their holiday.

That day we had two young great-grandchildren with us, and they enjoyed a day of fun with us. After they had gone home my husband remarked how he enjoyed walking around the garden with each child having a walk on grandpa’s’ shoulders.

When we eventually retired for the night, my husband complained that he could not go to sleep, and this continued till approximately 12.30 am when he asked for a Disprin which he thought might help.

In the meantime, a terrific South African ‘Highveld’ electric storm was building up with howling winds and breaking branches off trees and heavy rain. All of a sudden, I heard my husband gasp and then the terrible ‘death rattle’.

During those moments I actually heard the Lord’s voice say to me, “Do you remember Elijah and the chariot of fire and the whirlwind- the angels of the Lord have come to take God’s servant home.”

This, to me, was more that a Divine revelation – it has been a spiritual blessing through the years that God is love and is always with us.

The parting from a life partner is a most painful experience – it feels as though one has been ‘cut in half’ but faith in the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection and the ministry of the Holy Spirit lifts the burden and gives inner peace.