On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon 240,000 miles from Earth.  Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins landed in Apollo 11 after a journey of 76 hours, with Armstrong making his famous statement, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”  They safely landed in the Pacific Ocean four days later.

Approximately 400,000 engineers, technicians and scientists at a cost of $24 billion made this mission possible.

       “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us of a future day when all God’s faithful followers will walk on streets of gold in the city of God in heaven.  They will stay there throughout all of eternity except for one thousand years, when they will rule over the Earth.  The trip will begin on a special day called the Rapture, when Jesus will appear in the clouds of heaven to gather His followers up out of the earth.  He will escort them through time and space without rocket ships and without space suits and helmets.  The trip will be cost-free because Jesus paid for it with the price of His blood that He shed on the Cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all the people of the world.

       Revelation 22 gives us a description of heaven by telling us that there will be a pure river of water, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, who is Jesus.  It goes on to say that in the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river is the tree of life.  The tree shall bear twelve types of fruits, and yield its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree will be for the healing of the nations of people.  It also says there will be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him.  Finally, it says that God’s faithful followers shall see His face, His name shall be in their foreheads, there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the sun, for the Lord will give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.

       Revelation 21 tells us about the city of God having a great high wall, and also twelve gates with angels at each gate and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on the gates.  The wall of the city will have twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.