During a Friday evening, my husband and I were relaxing; he was watching a hockey game on TV while I was reading. His phone dinged. He grabbed it and read the message. Turning to me, he explained that he’d received a text from his brother that our brother-in-law, Robert, was in the hospital with only a few hours to live. Apparently, he had contracted flesh-eating disease and, unfortunately, it had invaded his organs. The sudden onset of this horrible disease was a shock to everyone. We both burst into tears.
My husband texted his sister, Robert’s wife, and asked if we could come to the hospital to be with her. She did not want anyone there, only their daughter, Sylvia, would be welcome. Living in a different province, Sylvia rushed to the airport and flew to see her father.
I texted our children and my sister and we all prayed for Robert’s salvation as we had for many years. I prayed and asked, specifically, that Robert would be given the chance to hear the gospel supernaturally in a way that made sense to him, and that he’d receive Christ as his Savoir. He had attended church with his family when he was young where he’d had the simple pure faith of a child. I wondered when he had stopped believing.
That night we went to bed not knowing if Robert would survive till the morning. We desperately hoped the doctors had caught the disease in time, and that they would flush his body with strong antibiotics. If they did, perhaps he would pull through.
The following morning, I woke early and, while still in bed, I had a vision. I have had very few supernatural encounters of this kind. I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like this, but I willingly received the vision from my Heavenly Father.
I could see Robert kneeling at a throne, his knees on a carpeted kneeboard, like those found in old churches. There was also a communion bench before him and his hands were resting on it,folded in prayer, his head bowed. I knew immediately what it meant. He had bent his knee to God Almighty. How could he not? His mother was a Christ-follower who had undoubtedly prayed for him for many years.
As the vision continued, I saw Robert standing between two angels. I couldn’t see the angels clearly; they were slightly distorted, although they appeared to be male, with short hair, and were dressed in pale clothing. There was a discussion, but I couldn’t hear much of it. I assume they were explaining mysteries to Robert. He was an intelligent man and likely had a lot of questions. His belief in the supernatural had just been restored, in the blink of an eye, but he’d missed out on exploring God’s word for most of his life.
Physically, I sensed Robert and the angels above me, over our bed, as if they were standing in a glass-bottomed boat. Robert appeared healthy and young, with robust health and a head full of dark hair. His plain white tunic fit him well, gently falling from his shoulders to below his knees. I could see his feet clearly – he was barefooted. His feet were perfect with smooth skin, as supple as a baby, though they were the large feet of a man. I also noticed that there were no glasses framing his face. All the years I’d known him as my brother-in-law, he’d always worn prescription glasses. Obviously, accepting Christ, every part of him was instantly healed and whole as he left his natural body behind.
I heard an angel say, “She has been praying for you for 35 years.” I knew the angel was referring to my prayers for Robert all these years.
Robert had a look of amazement and gratitude on his face. I sensed he was filled with love and appreciation. But I also perceived there was some remorse for not having believed in Jesus for the majority of his life.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. I was instantly filled with incredible joy over the vision. Being in the presence of angelic beings was great evidence of the heavenly realm and I was thankful for the boost to my faith. While I had walked with Jesus for 35 years my faith had been feeling a little stale, like it needed a spring-cleaning. I had been working on returning to my first love with Jesus. This supernatural encounter overwhelmed me and boosted my love for the Lord. God met my needs while also doing the incredible redemptive work of saving Robert’s soul. I felt all of these emotions while still in the vision.
Robert and the angels were still in the room above me and I had a knowing that they were about to leave.I made a heart-symbol with my hands, smiled, and then waved to Robert and the angels.
“She can see us?” Robert asked in shock.
The angel said, “Some people have eyes to see.”
Robert looked incredulous as they turned and left.
The vision faded. As the warmth of heavenly love waned, I felt homesick for Heaven. This longing for love cannot be filled by anything this world offers. This heavenly love is absolutely pure and loves others completely, regardless of any past wounds or harsh words. God’s love can’t dredge up past wrongs or repeat offenses. It always hopes for the best for others, acts out of loving concern, even if that love isn’t reciprocated. I had no ill feelings towards Robert or anyone else, even though he and his wife had rejected my attempt to share the message of Jesus years before.
Still lying in bed, amazed at what I’d seen, I glanced over at the clock and saw that it was five-thirty-seven in the morning. Later, at eight a.m., my husband and I were both up and dressed when he received a message on his phone. Robert had passed away at one-thirty that morning. We found out that Sylvia, his daughter, had made it in time to cling to her dad, sob and speak to him as he passed.
Later that same day we had the opportunity to speak with Sylvia and to comfort her. I shared a part of the vision with her. This brought her great comfort. Knowing that her father was restored to the peak of vitality as a young man and that she would see him again in the next life was a wonderful consolation.
She said, “I believe it.”
I praised and thanked God for giving Robert a chance to bend the knee to his Savoir and Lord. I imagine a joyful reunion in Heaven with his mother. She’d likely prayed for him to return to his faith as a child. I don’t know who is granted this privilege to be redeemed as they transcend from earth into eternity, but I trust it is everyone. After all, God is a God of second chances, great mercy, love, and he is able to complete the work in every heart that has been receptive to Him.
Submitted by: Junia
*****
Once we get to Heaven and God shows us a reel of our life, we will discover how many times we were rescued, protected or redirected by supernatural means. What a divine privilege it is that, during our time on earth, God gives us snapshots into the supernatural realm, unusual happenings that announce that Heaven is present and involved in our lives.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
If you would like to share a personal story of supernatural protection or angelic activity in your history, please reach out. Private message me on Facebook messenger or email me and I will explain the details. I would love to share your testimony on my blog as an encouragement to others. As it says in Hebrews 3:13 – Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’.
Also, you are welcome to share this story with your friends and family, or with anyone who needs some encouragement.
