Who'll take the Son ?

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.


He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'


The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'


The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.


The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.


On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'


There was silence.


Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'



But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'


Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'


But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'


Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting..' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.


'We have $10, who will bid $20?'


'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'


The crowd was becoming angry.. They didn't want the picture of the son.


They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.


The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'


A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'



The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'



'What about the paintings?'



'I am sorry. Whenauction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.


The man who took the son gets everything!'


God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'


Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.



FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

A TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO HEAVEN

Planning to go to heaven? Here's a traveller's guide....

1. ACCOMMODATION

Arrangements for first-class accommodation have been made in advance.
"In My Father's house are many rooms ...... I am going there to
prepare a place for you." (John 14:2).

2. PASSPORTS

Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without
having proper papers/credentials and having their names registered
with the ruling Authority.
"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is
shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the
Lamb's book of life". (Revelation 21:27)..

3. DEPARTURE TIMES

The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travellers are
advised to be prepared to leave at short notice.
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by
His own authority. " (Acts 1:7).

4. TICKETS

Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It
should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in hand.
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who
sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life." (John 5:24).

5. CUSTOMS

Only one declaration is required while going through customs.
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe
in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved." (Romans 10:9).

6. IMMIGRATION

All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking
up permanent residence in a new country. The quota is unlimited.
"...... they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one
........ He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:16).

7. LUGGAGE

No luggage whatsoever is necessary.
"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out
of it." (1 Timothy 6:7).

8. AIR PASSAGE

Travellers' going directly by air are advised to watch daily for
indications of imminent departure.
"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so
we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

9. VACCINATION AND INOCULATION

Injections are not needed, as diseases are unknown at the
destination.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain...." (Revelation 21:4).

10. CURRENCY

Supplies of currency may be forwarded ahead to await the passenger's
arrival. Deposit your heart, mind, soul and life.
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and
rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
(Matthew 6:20).

11. CLOTHING

A complete and appropriate new wardrobe is provided for each
traveller.
"...For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me
in a robe of righteousness...." (Isaiah 61:10).

12. TIME CHANGES

Resetting of watches will not be necessary to adjust to the
day/night schedule.
"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the
glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp........ for
there will be no night there." (Revelations 21:23,25).

13. RESERVATIONS

Booking is now open. Apply at once.
"....... now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of
salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

14. CORONATION CEREMONY

The highlight of the journey is the welcoming reception and
coronation which await the arrival.
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." (2
Timothy 4:8).