Melissa loves her Grandma, but they don't get to see each other very often because Grandma lives far away.

Sometimes Grandma sends special packages to Melissa. She likes to receive surprises in the mail! When Grandma comes to visit, she reads stories to Melissa. They go for walks together, and Grandma tells Melissa about when her own children were small. Grandma loves to laugh and sing and Grandma loves Jesus, too.

Unfortunately, Grandma has not been well for many years. She has a disease that is slowly making her weaker and weaker.

Melissa didn't want Grandma to be sick, so she began to pray that God would heal Grandma. God always hears and answers our prayers, but he doesn't always answer in the way that we expect.

One day, Grandma went to the hospital to have surgery. The doctors said the surgery might help Grandma get better.

Melissa continued to pray every day for Grandma.

But Grandma didn't get better. Melissa felt sad that Grandma was sick, but she was happy when she found out that she would get to go with her family to visit Grandma.

This time, however, Grandma was in the hospital. When Melissa's family arrived at the hospital, she noticed that it smelled kind of like medicine. When Grandpa wheeled Grandma down to see her in a wheel chair, Melissa gave Grandma a big hug and stood by her side. She looked into Grandma's eyes, and put her little hand on Grandma's careworn hand. Grandma looked tired, but she was very happy to see Melissa. Soon it was time for the visit to end. Grandma needed rest.

When Melissa returned home with her family, she continued to pray for Grandma.

One day, Melissa's mother took Melissa in her arms and said, "Melissa, you have been praying for Jesus to make Grandma well for a long time, haven't you?"

Melissa nodded.

Mother continued, "Jesus has heard your prayers, Melissa. He doesn't want Grandma to suffer and be sick for a long time. Grandma died last night, but she will wake up on the resurrection morning. Jesus will give her a brand new, healthy body. She won't ever suffer again, and the next thing she knows, she will see Jesus' face."

Mom smiled, but she had tears in her eyes, too.

Melissa felt sad inside. She wouldn't get to see Grandma anymore. Grandma wouldn't call on the phone. She tried to imagine what that would be like.

"Jesus answered my prayers?" Melissa asked.

"Yes," Mom explained. "Jesus knows what is best for each one of us. Jesus said death was like sleep, except you don't wake up until the resurrection morning.

"Death is not something to be afraid of, because Jesus won the victory over sin and death when He died on the cross and rose again. Whether we live until Jesus comes, or spend a little while sleeping in the grave, we will be together with Jesus for all eternity when He comes again. In the earth made new there will be no more sin or suffering, no more crying, no more good-byes. On the resurrection day Jesus will gather us all close to Him and we will never be separated by death again."

Melissa's grandma now rests in her grave. When Jesus comes the second time, what does the Bible say will happen?

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all ___________________, but we shall all be ______________________ in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the _______________ will sound, and the __________________ will be raised incorruptible (no longer subject to aging or disease or death), and we shall be ________________________________." 1 Corinthians 15:51,52.

Losing people we love is painful. Death hurts families and friends. It hurts God. What word does the Bible use to describe death?

"The last _________________that will be destroyed is __________________________." 1 Corinthians 15:26.

The Bible actually describes two kinds of death. The first death is the only kind anyone on this earth, except for Jesus, has ever experienced. 'it is only a temporary death. What word did Jesus use to describe this kind of death?

"Our friend Lazarus _______________, but I go that I may ________________ him up." John 11 :11 .

The disciples were confused. They said, If Lazarus is sleeping, then he'll get better. So Jesus explained, Lazarus is dead (verse 14).

The other kind of death the Bible refers to is the "second death" (see Revelation 20:6).The second death is an eternal death, and this is the death Jesus came to save us from, as He explained to Lazarus' sister Martha:

"I am the _________________ and the life. He who ______________ in Me, though he may die (the first death which is temporary), he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall ________________ die (the second death which is forever)" John 11:25,26

Melissa looks forward to the resurrection day when she will see her Grandma again. Perhaps someone you love is also sleeping in the grave. The Bible gives us a wonderful passage to comfort those who have lost friends and loved ones by death:

For the Lord Himself will descend from ___________ with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the ___________ in Christ will rise first. Then we who are __________ and remain shall be caught up ______________ with them in the ___________ to meet the Lord in the ______. And thus we shall always be with the _________.1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

As you look forward to that happy reunion day, remember, no one is more eager for the resurection day to come thatn Jesus and our Heavenly Father. Praise God for the gift of His Son Jesus, who died for us that we might be raised with Him when He comes?

_____________ * These texts are from the New King James Version, but you may use the King James or other versions to fill in the blanks.

Published in the 1888 Message Newsletter, September-October 2000.

Used with permission.

Published in the 1888 Message Newsletter