Under Pacific Skies

From: Messages of God's Love: 1978

• 2 min. read • grade level: 7

Memory Verse: “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12¹²For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12)

Under the stars of an alien sky, somewhere in the Pacific, young Philip Welsher, a Marine, breathed his last. Mother and Dad and his beloved home were far away; horror, violence, devastation and death were all around. But Phil was “looking up,” far beyond the stars into the face of his Saviour.

Phil’s last message to his Mother and Father was written sometime before his death. His pals found it among his few possessions and mailed it home at once, in accordance with his request found on the envelope. He wrote: Dear Folks: I am writing this letter in the hope that after my death it will be forwarded to you. My purpose in writing is twofold. First, that you may be assured that while we are temporarily separated, we know that we shall soon be joined together with Christ in the presence of God. As I write this, I am in very little danger, but who can tell what the morrow may bring?

As I pass on, I wish to leave behind me a testimony to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that God may be glorified in my death... Today, knowing that I may very soon be called into His presence, I can say that I am trusting only in Jesus Christ who died as a sacrifice for my sins that I might have eternal life. He paid the price with His own precious blood, and by simple faith in Him, I am cleansed from all unrighteousness.

I am now with Jesus, and all is well with my soul. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” John 11:25²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25).

My second purpose in writing this letter, Dad, is that you might make the way of salvation clear to a friend to whom I have written a similar letter. Give the message as from me that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:3‑4).

Dry your tears, Mom: a son has been called Home where he waits to be joined by the dearest parents a boy could have. Perhaps consolation may be found in knowing that when we shall again be together, it shall be even as He promised: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4).

Now, for just a little while, I would say, good-bye, and God be with you till we meet again.

Your loving son, Phil.

ML-01/15/1978

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