Will we get to see our lost loved ones again after we die?
This is a question that has both haunted and comforted humanity for thousands of years. The answers people have given to this question have caused the rise and fall of empires from ancient Egypt to the schism in the Catholic Church during the Reformation.
No book discusses this issue more plainly than the Bible. In its pages, you can find the meaning of life today and discover amazing hope for the next life as well. The Bible teaches clearly that all who believe in Jesus for salvation will get to see their lost loved ones, who have also believed, after death. It will be a glorious, happy reunion, where God promises to wipe every tear.
Here is what Jesus said about it in the book of John 11, verse 25:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
Custom commissioned pencil portrait sketch, a memoriam, by artist Matt Philleo, 16 x 20, completed in July 2016.
Earlier in the month, I finished this commissioned 16″ x 20″ drawing for a lady named Karla I met on Facebook through a mutual friend from church. She went through the unfortunate, tragic event of her husband disappearing almost four years ago and being declared dead. Then her son, who had special needs and health problems, died several months ago.
What incredible suffering and loss to have to go through! I could scarcely imagine it.
She asked me if I could draw a portrait of what their reunion might have been like in heaven.
I was thrilled to be able to draw this for her, to capture that special moment when her son, in the presence of Jesus, completely healed, jumped off his wheelchair and ran to see his daddy.
Here is what she wrote when I sent her the proof:
“I have not been able to stop crying….you captured something I cannot even explain! I have never seen Jacob standing like that, so that REALLY got me and the look on Dave’s face is SOOOO spot on. I can honestly picture this as what happened. The joy for both of them must have been unreal. Thank you so much!!! I have time on Wed. all day if we could meet. Otherwise, just let me know what would work!”
“On November 20, 2015, Jacob suffered a severe brain injury and was pronounced brain dead. As he took his last breaths, I told him when he saw Daddy to run as fast as he could. With tears in his eyes, he took his last breath.
Commissioned pencil portrait by artist Matt Philleo, 2016, detail
“This moment was one I could visualize and so deeply wanted it captured in art. Expectations of what I would see and what I actually received, were far exceeded. The joy that is shown on Jacob’s face is contagious. Many commented that they felt they could hear Jacob giggle just looking at his face.
“Tears filled my eyes as I saw my son standing for the first time in his life.”
“I can feel the anticipation of leaving his chair behind to run to his beloved dad.
“Dave was in an amazing father, especially to Jacob. It took my breath away when I saw the look on Dave’s face. He had a way of holding his mouth and cheeks when he was so happy, he was ready to cry. I had not provided any pictures to Matt that showed this expression. All I can say is that Matt was led by Jesus to capture that which was SO important to me….the look I knew Dave would have when he saw his son again.
Pencil portrait artist Matt Philleo’s client, Karla S., holding a drawing he did of her late son and husband in July 2016.
“I cannot even begin to say how healing it was to have this portrait done. The loss of not only my husband but also my son, has been so painful. The peace I felt is beyond understanding. It felt wonderful to “see” them again. Thanks again, so much for your amazing gift!”
Share Your Thoughts!
I still cannot thank you enough for the gift you have given me in creating something so beautiful.
I love how this picture can make you feel such love and joy in your heart. It’s a great representation of them both for sure! Just amazing!
I appreciate your kind words, Karena! I was blessed to be able to do this, and it’s wonderful that their lives are still impacting people today!
Karla, my pleasure! Thank you for giving me the opportunity and it has been great to hear how God has been working in your life, bringing encouragement during the roughest of times!
Hi Matt your sketch made me think of an Anglo Saxon Poem translated by J.R.R which we think was written anonymously sometime after the Norman Conquest in the West Midlands Dialect. It is about a simple man morning the loss of his beloved baby girl over year. My wife Dr Janice Bogstad gave a paper on Tolkien translation a the Kalamazoo International Medieval studies conference in 2013 He paper still brings tears to my eyes in that his lost daughter speaks to him as a spiritual presence in the form of the beautiful young his daughter would have become had she lived. She tells he cannot simply join her in heaven but must be strong and do gods will and stay in the world till his time comes. Lets not give up on the Lewis Tolkien Conference or the shards of light we all carry within us
Thanks, Phil. I love Anglo-Saxon and Middle English literature. I will have to see if I can find that poem. Yes, the Lewis Tokien Conference is something I will look forward to, whenever it is possible for events to line up properly so it can take place!
What a gorgeous picture, I so glad I found this work of art, it sure gives me a warm feeling.
Thank you, Tim!