Dave was dying—no doubt about it. His wife and daughters had been with him for several hours, talking to him and telling him how much they loved him. But Dave was not responding. So, when a pastor came to visit, they left Dave in his care long enough to grab a quick bite of lunch. He appeared to be sleeping. But when the Pastor gently touched him, Dave moved slightly, then said to the pastor, “I’ve got the keys to my new house.”  He died peacefully within the hour.

When my friend, a relative of Dave, heard about his last words, she thought, “That’s strange. After all, we won’t need keys in heaven.” Then she remembered a verse in the book of Revelation where Jesus tell us, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” [which is hell] (Revelation 1:18). She remembered that Jesus also told us, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; …I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Dave had the assurance that he would soon be entering that special place Jesus had prepared for him—and he was ready.

Do you have the key to an eternal home in heaven?  You can know that one day you will be there if you have a relationship with Jesus, the one who prepares a place for us. Ask Him to come into your life today and to make you ready to spend eternity with Him. Then you too will have the key to your eternal home.