Coming Home

Coming Home
By Emma Schlangenhausen

“‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man,
and He will dwell with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and there will be no more death
or mourning or crying or pain,
for the former things have passed away.’
And the One seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’”
Revelation 21:3-5
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This woodcut from early 20th century Austrian artist Emma Schlangenhausen entitled The Return Home of the Souls offers a tender vision of heaven. In it, a multitude of angelic figures stand in reverent anticipation as, one by one, souls are called forward and personally blessed and welcomed by the Lord. This intimate scene invites reflection on the deeply individual nature of Christ’s love.

John’s vision of heaven lovingly promises, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Not some tears, but every tear. One by one. The Savior’s earthly ministry confirms this divine pattern. Each of the Gospel accounts depict the Savior blessing the little children one by one. As Mark records, Jesus said, “‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.’ … And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:14-16). Similarly, after His resurrection, the Lord took care to minister to the multitude, blessing and healing all who were “afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.” (3 Nephi 17:9). Each person was known. Each was loved. Each was made whole. David A. Bednar has taught, “Heaven’s emphasis is on each individual, on every single person. … The Lord knows each of us individually and loves each of us infinitely. He knows us one by one and name by name.”

The great nineteenth century minister Charles Spurgeon described the experience of “returning to heaven,” writing: “it is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes.” That is the promise of our faith—not just a return to a place, but a return to a divine family. To Jesus Christ, who waits with outstretched arms, calling us by name. In the Father’s house, no one is lost in the crowd. There, we will find not only perfect peace, but personal belonging. May we live each day with that promised homecoming in our hearts, and with faith that, when the time comes, the Lord will receive us—one by one—and bless us as His own.

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