One Foot in Heaven ∙∙
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. – Acts 7:55
Acts 6:8-15
8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses and even God.”
15 At this point, everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.
Acts 7:55-60
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
The Legacy of John Fletcher
Fletcher was always present wherever there was a need. His selfless dedication to helping others came at a significant personal cost, as his tireless efforts ultimately took a toll on his health. Continuous exposure to harsh conditions aggravated his condition, and he became gravely ill. As his death appeared imminent, many people came to see him, to pay their respects.
One visitor, after spending time with Fletcher, remarked, “I went to see a man that had one foot in the grave, but I found a man that had one foot in heaven!”
It is indeed a rare privilege to meet a child of the King who lives with one foot in heaven. Fletcher’s life stands as a powerful example of unwavering faith and devotion to the Lord.
Stephen: A Man Who Faced Heaven
Stephen, an early disciple of Christ, exemplified unwavering faith and dedication. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit and graced with divine power, his life served as a powerful testament to his deep commitment to his beliefs. Acts 6:3, 5, 8, and 15 showcase his spiritual fortitude and the palpable presence of the divine that radiated through him.
The culmination of Stephen’s faith occurred when he received a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, radiant in His heavenly glory, standing at the right hand of the Father.
Acts 7:56: “Look!” he said. “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
For most people, the idea of death brings uncertainty or fear. But for Stephen, death was not something to fear. His focus was not on the end of his earthly life but on the glory of heaven. As we read his story in Acts 6 and 7, it becomes clear that Stephen did not “face death” in the traditional sense. Instead, he “faced heaven,” his eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Lord Jesus Christ is high and lifted up, exalted above all. The Father has given Him the name that is above every name, a name before which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His lordship (Philippians 2:9-11).
Father, it is a remarkable and awe-inspiring thought that as I move through life toward my appointed expiration date as Your child, I face heaven. May my focus remain on the exalted Christ, who stands in glory at Your right hand.
INSIGHT
The Vision of Stephen: A Glimpse of Heaven
Throughout Scripture, dreams and visions consistently depict the Son of God seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. However, in Stephen’s vision, the Lord Jesus Christ is standing. Why is Jesus standing? Could it be that He rose to greet and welcome Stephen into His presence? This extraordinary moment invites us to reflect on the profound honor and love the Lord bestows on His faithful servants.
Stephen is a significant figure as the first martyr of the New Testament church. Since his death, countless children of the King have followed his example, sacrificing their lives for their faith. The exact number of martyrs is known only to the Father. However, Scripture indicates this is just the beginning. During the great and terrible tribulation, countless millions will be martyred for their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and their loyalty to the Father.
Revelation 6:9: “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.”
Stephen’s Triumph: Facing Heaven, Not Death
The message of Acts 7 is clear: Stephen faced heaven with joy and triumph. For him, death held no power or consequence. His eyes were fixed solely on the Lord Jesus Christ, and his heart was filled with the assurance of eternal life.
When Stephen died, not a single word of what would become the New Testament had been written. John the apostle had not yet received the revelation that would become the final book of the Bible. Yet, Stephen already knew what would later be revealed to John: the ultimate victory of the King and the eternal reign of Christ.
The Promise of Revelation: A New Heaven and Earth
The book of Revelation provides a stunning vision of what Stephen already understood deep in his heart.
Revelation 21:1-6:
“1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’
6 And he also said, ‘It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.’”
This passage reminds us that the most significant part of heaven is not the streets of gold, the pearly gates, or even joyful reunions with loved ones. As Charles Stanley so beautifully expressed, “The best thing about heaven is the loving presence of God Himself.”
Stephen’s Eternal Reward
Stephen entered the presence of the Lord nearly 2,000 years ago. He did not “face death” as we often think of it. Instead, he “faced heaven,” his gaze fixed on the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and joy that await all who remain faithful to the King.
Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Children of the King are called to face heaven and live with an eternal perspective.
This mindset allows us to confront both the difficulties of life and the reality of death, being assured that our ultimate hope and joy reside in Christ.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 