LightGrams
June 25, 2026
Volume 30, Number 22
Based on old movies I’ve seen in the past, “Land ahoy!” is what a sailor in the crow’s nest would shout when he spotted land in the distance. Being at sea for months, sailors see only the ocean. It has to be exciting to know that land is not far away.
Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute recently made a discovery of land that previously was unknown. The area of discovery was in the Antarctic in the Weddell Sea, and it had earlier been documented only as a “danger zone”. This is the first record of anyone realizing it is an island. That may be because of its size: it’s only slightly larger than a football field and the highest point is 52 feet above sea level. The process is underway to officially name this island.
What do you do with an island that is so tiny, especially one in a frigid climate? Many of us would be interested in a small tropical island with a few coconut trees, but we’ll pass on this latest discovery.
My hopes have been set on another location for my future, a place the Bible calls “heaven”. In speaking of people of faith, Hebrews 11:16 says this: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” People with this dream in their hearts, verse 13 states, regard themselves as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth”. They live on earth for a time, but their desired home is in heaven.
What Jesus said in John 14:2,3 provides fuel for the fires of this hope: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” The Lord Himself will escort us to that new heavenly home.
Why would anyone put their hope in a place that can’t yet be seen? Revelation 21:3,4 gives some solid reasons: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Yes, I want to go to this land called heaven, and one day I will with the help of my Savior. As we are passing through the skies (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17), maybe we’ll hear someone shouting the words, “Heaven ahoy!” What a day, glorious day, that will be!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.