An Angel’s Account of A Soul's Entrance into Eternity
This is an inspirational account that I (Stew) imagine of my brother Rich's entrance into eternity and into the loving arms of Christ Jesus his Lord and Savior.
Cousins surround Rich in the center with his brother Stew is in the upper right
The Angel Observer Account
I am a servant of the Most High, a watcher in the unseen realms, tasked with beholding and recording the glory of God’s redemptive work. On this day, I bear witness to a moment that shakes the heavens with joy: the homecoming of Rich, a faithful believer, into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rich’s earthly journey was marked by trials, yet his faith burned bright. About a year ago, on a Monday, he received the shadow of a diagnosis—terminal brain cancer. By Wednesday, he stood hand in hand with Lisa, his beloved, vowing love and fidelity in marriage, a sacred union sealed just before surgery on Friday. In the months that followed, Lisa’s home became his sanctuary, where her tender care enveloped him. She poured herself into preparing his house for sale, a labor of love that freed Rick to focus on the hope of Jesus.
Rich’s final months were a tapestry of courage and testimony. Rich’s important daily family dialog was with his loving and caring wife Lisa, However, Rich also connected with his brother Stew through FaceTime using the iPad that he bought specifically to enable this daily dialog. Together, they prayed, studied God’s Word, and wrestled with the daily trials of Rich’s fading body. Each conversation was a thread of grace, weaving Rich closer to eternity. Rich spoke of Jesus to friends, family, and co-workers, his words a beacon of light amid the encroaching darkness.
Now, the moment has come. I see Rich’s earthly form grow still, his breath fading like a whisper. But in the unseen, a radiant transformation unfolds. His soul, unshackled from the frail vessel, rises, escorted by fellow angels who sing of God’s faithfulness. I follow, alight with anticipation, for I know where this journey leads—to the presence of the King.
We approach the Lord and King of Glory as described in Revelation 21:4, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Rich’s eyes, now unclouded by cancer or pain, widen in awe as he beholds Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, the Risen King. His face shines with a love that pierces Rich’s soul, fulfilling John 17:24, where Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.” The Savior’s arms open wide, and Rick runs to Him and is truly overwhelmed by a joy that surges like a river.
“Rich, my faithful servant,” Jesus says, His voice both thunder and whisper, “well done.” The words echo Matthew 25:21, resonating with divine approval.
Rich falls to his knees, tears of joy streaming down his face, but Jesus lifts him, embracing him as a brother, a friend. The love Rick shared with others on earth—through words, prayers, and testimony—now pulses back to him, magnified in the presence of Love Himself.
I see Lisa’s face in Rich’s heart, her care a reflection of Christ’s own. Jesus speaks of her, assuring Rich that she, too, is held in His hands, her faithfulness known. Stew’s prayers, their shared moments of Scripture, are revealed as treasures stored in heaven, each one a testament to God’s grace. Rich’s conversations, his bold witness to co-workers and friends, ripple through eternity, seeds that will bear fruit in lives he touched.
Jesus walks with Rich, showing him a place prepared, a home radiant with the craftsmanship of God (John 14:2). Friends and family, redeemed and radiant, gather to welcome him, their laughter a symphony of grace. Yet Rich’s gaze returns to Jesus, the source of all joy, whose scars tell the story of redemption. In this moment, Rich knows he is fully known, fully loved, forever home.
As an angel charged with recording the glory of God’s redemptive work, I rejoice, for Rich’s story is but one note in the eternal song of salvation. Heaven trembles with the Father’s delight, and I join the chorus, proclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Revelation 5:12).
❤️❤️❤️
Rich (Rick) passed into eternity on Monday July 7, 2025. He as born on July 12, 1962 and was just five days from his 63rd birthday. He is survived by his son Zack and his wife Lisa and his brother Stew.