Roll call in heaven

There's a song by the Gaithers called "When the roll is called up yonder" and the next line is "I'll be there."



I believe it is based on the following scripture, which is speaking of New Jerusalem:

"Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."

The roll call from Jesus reminded me of several scriptures I love very dearly. They illustrate the moment when certain of God's prophets were called. They heard God, and they responded "Here I am!" They report for the highest duty possible, a life of total dedication and obedience to Jesus. This is the only proper response to His call. It moves me to think of them saying "Here I am!" to God. These are the men whom God called:

Abraham, when God tested his faith: - Genesis 22:1, 11,
Jacob, in a dream, hears the LORD say that He sees Jacob's ill treatment by Laban - Genesis 31:11
Moses, seeing the burning bush and hearing the Angel of the Lord call Moses to perform the Exodus - Exodus 3:4
Samuel, as a boy, receiving his first call from the LORD. - 1 Samuel 3:4
Isaiah, in a vision from Isaiah 6:8, receiving his call to Prophet after seeing the LORD on His throne and exclaiming he is a man of unclean lips, being cleaned with the live coal, then eagerly answering God, "Here I am, send me!"

"Here I am!" they all said.

Now get this. Picture in your mind the great multitudes that appear before Jesus in heaven after the rapture. You are wearing a white robe and are enjoying a glorified body. You are seeing things unparalleled and experiencing indescribable joy. You see Jesus' face, and you can't get enough. In the midst of this, imagine Him opening the Lamb's Book of Life, in which your name is written. And 'books were opened' and the roll is called...and then then He calls your name.

Because of His sacrifice, because of His love, because of the blood, because you repented, you will say:

HERE I AM!


Comments

  1. LOVE THIS POST! So excited for our roll call!

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  2. Thanks Emily! I cried buckets while writing it, just thinking of the privilege of His work done to a completion in me, and being visible evidence of His glory! Saying 'Here I am...thanks to YOU, Jesus!!!!!!" Oh, boy, it feels like it's going to be soon.

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  3. So powerful and encouraging...I really need to start focusing on eternity and we seem to be so close.

    "icture in your mind the great multitudes that appear before Jesus in heaven after the rapture. You are wearing a white robe and are enjoying a glorified body. You are seeing things unparalleled and experiencing indescribable joy. You see Jesus' face, and you can't get enough."

    This was so beautiful!

    - Debbie

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  4. Thank you. So encouraged. Can sing this hymn more meaningfully.

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  5. I agree.. and disagree. :-) Don't get me wrong, I've sang this song as well (a while ago). Afaik everyone will be there, "when the roll is called up yonder" and we will all be judged. So... yeah, I'll be there! But even when you see it from your point of view (which is great), what then is the focus of the line? Me. I don't want "me" to be that.. but Christ. I don't like to sing about me, but rather about Him. He's worth everything!

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