Preparing for Departure
'Death is not a fullstop, it's just a comma ...'
Preparing the Movement for His Departure
David was convinced that The Family was a genuine and unique move of God. He knew that it had an important role to play in God's overall plan and therefore it would continue to prosper and thrive long after he was gone. Throughout the years he instilled this vision into his followers.
Jesus will still lead you after I'm gone. Don't worry about it. The same One that's the head of us right now is still going to be the head of you, and that's Jesus. If you've got your eyes on me as being the only head, may God help you. You are in a hell of a mess, because when I die you're going to fluke out like some of Jesus' disciples did!
This is one movement that is not dependent on a man! -- I hope! We're dependent on the Lord! Don't you ever forget that! Because when I'm gone, it shouldn't really make any difference. You'll just keep right on following the Lord like the early disciples did!
Carrying the torch forward
Of course, David made pragmatic preparations as well. He encouraged Family communities to be indigenous, self-supporting, self governing and decentralized. He also spent many years training his wife, Maria, his executive secretary Peter, and other Family members in all the different aspects of the administration of The Family. He foresaw that Maria would inherit the oversight of The Family and that the movement would flourish as never before.
God is going to do greater and mightier works under her than He has under me! So what are you getting your eyes on me for and worrying about me dying?
If you don't do more than I have done, I will be disappointed in you. If you don't accomplish more than I have accomplished, I will be surprised, because I don't believe you'll do less!
I believe you're going to do more! You're going to witness more, you're going to reach more people, you're going to go more places, you are going to become even more famous than you ever have before!
Perspective on the Afterlife
David loved life and embraced it to the full. He wrote:
Learning, learning, learning -- it never ends! I love it! I always want more! Every new person I talk to fascinates me! Every new land I live in intrigues me! Every new language I learn greatly interests me, and every new task I begin totally absorbs me! I love this life, both in the flesh and in the Spirit!
However, as with all true believers in Jesus, he fully realized that this Earth was not his final home, but he was, as Saint Paul said, a "pilgrim and a stranger." So while he enjoyed life, he also looked forward to the time that his earthly course would be finished, and he would be called home to his Heavenly reward. He often discussed what death meant.
For us who love the Lord, death is our relief, release, freedom, promotion, graduation and passing on to a better realm, the next step, the next grade! Our spirits are immediately freed to go to be with the Lord, so it's not really death for us in the same way it is for those who aren't saved. We don't die in the sense that they die.
That's why I don't even like to call it "dying" or "death!" I prefer to call it graduation, passing on, or promotion. It's our graduation! -- And just like [people] celebrate when someone graduates from school or college, so we should rejoice when someone we love graduates from this old life. They've finished their schooling in this earthly grade and are passing on to the next grade! -- The Heavenly grade!
In October 1994, at the age of 75, David passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
The Family, now in existence for nearly 40 years, continues to change, innovate and grow, just as David intended it to.
David's wife of 25 years, Maria is now remarried and leads The Family International with her husband, Peter. The Family believes that David is continuing to lead, direct and influence the Family from the realm of the spirit.
The best, they believe, is yet to come.
