Heidelbergian Children's Catechism (age 8- 10 years)
Lord's Day 22
Before, in Lord’s Day 16, we spoke of the grave of the Lord Jesus. But we also mentioned other graves. The graves of granddad and grandma, the grave of someone else we knew. People who die are brought to a cemetery, and there they are buried. Often, a gravestone is placed on that grave, mentioning who was buried there. If he was your grandfather, you can say: grandpa is here. Before, in Lord’s Day 16, we spoke of the grave of the Lord Jesus. But we also mentioned other graves. The graves of granddad and grandma, the grave of someone else we knew. People who die are brought to a cemetery, and there they are buried. Often, a gravestone is placed on that grave, mentioning who was buried there. If he was your grandfather, you can say: grandpa is here. When a grandfather dies, an ad is published in the newspaper. If he loved the Lord, the ad in the paper will say: The Lord has taken to himself our beloved grandfather. Then his name is mentioned, and often a bible text is added. How is that possible to say that? Is grandpa in the grave, and at the same time with God in heaven? Yes, both are true. In Lord’s Day 22, it says that the soul is immediately taken up in heaven. And later, when the Lord Jesus returns, the graves will be open ed. Then, the souls of all God’s children return to the earth. They come back in their renewed bodies. And they will always be with God. You see that dying is not as bad as it looks. And if you really want to know why, you should go back in the Catechism. Have another look at Lord’s Days 16 and 17. And that is not all. At the very end, the Aposties’ Creed speaks of the Iife everlasting. lsn’t that neat? The end of the Aposties’ Creed mentions something that has no end. It speaks about eternal Iife. The body has become a glorified body. And the soul is again united with its renewed body. And as a soul in a glorified body you may be with the Lord always. You know what is nice? Now already we can begin enjoying that feast. For you and I know that we belong to the Lord, always. And that makes you happy. When you are at school and when you are at home. When you are studying, or playing a game, or are sick and in your bed. Always happy. The future feast begins today. It will exceed your greatest dream.