It was a cross of magnitude proportions—one that utterly broke my heart. A monstrous injustice, it created by far the biggest loss and the lowest of many low points of my life, all at the hands of spiteful, arrogant, conniving, and corrupt individuals.
But that very week, I had the dream.
The scene in itself was magical. I was swinging extraordinarily high—one of my favorite things to do—on a rope swing suspended between two huge pine trees, looking out over a rolling grassy meadow. The grass was lush and velvety, as green as the Scottish countryside. My stomach fluttered with the wings of a thousand butterflies as I flew carefree in the setting sun, a magical yellow haze settling on everything it kissed. It was not unlike Lucy's experience in Lion, Witch & Wardrobe II. I knew something was especially unusual because of two things: beautiful music filled the air, a tune and harmony I could never imagine in my best dreams, as if the angels themselves were singing in worship. The second awareness I had was that of peace so rich and deep that even my toenails felt happy. I had never before (or since) experienced such a restful, complete, content feeling that seemed to be an element of timeless eternity all its own.
And then I remember in the ethereal golden light, huge dandelion spores floated by on lazy air-currents, encircling me like little glowing umbrellas. It was a perfect moment without a thought of sadness, longing, or hurry.
There was one other element to this dream that told me it was not a "just a dream." When I awoke, the pain and sadness of the days before it were completely replaced by an afterglow of joy and peace. This unearthly peace saturated me for several days, and only gradually faded over weeks. I believe it was the very comfort and presence of God Himself, helping me through such a time. But as for the dream, I was rather stumped. I thought it must be a glimpse into my heavenly home, but how?
At that time in my life, I thought we went "to heaven." I figured heaven would have some things like earth, but not weeds—like dandelions, or even pine trees, or setting sunlight according to Revelation, "And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (21:23). So what could my dream mean? The implications were inconsistent with my theology, yet I could not have conjured the dream or the results in my wildest imagination or willpower.
Through recent years, I have unlearned (from traditions and untruths taught by man) and relearned (from the Scriptures) many perspectives about my next home.
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It will be on earth, beginning with the Millennial Kingdom (MK) when Jesus comes to reign for a thousand years, and will continue on earth as it is renewed and restored. -
It will be very earthy-pine trees, rolling grassy hills, and at least in the MK there will even be dandelions!
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There will be sunsets. Revelation 21:23 is only talking about a city, the New Jerusalem, but Psalm 148:6 says the sun will not pass away.
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There will be seasons, according to Genesis 8:22
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There will be complete peace. And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:10
But what about the singing I heard? Well, perhaps it was angels…or maybe it was actually those majestic pine trees: "Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy" (Psalm 96:12).