Beyond Heaven’s Gate

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near"  Revelation 1:3

There was one question that stayed with me after our mission experience: If God gives us a second chance, what will we do with it? I realized that second chances from God are not just opportunities to start over—they are invitations to know Him more deeply.

This lesson became real to me through the story of the Fariñas family from Nagpanoan, Burgos, Ilocos Sur.

Our mission team first met them during a community health survey. Before ending our visit, we asked a simple question: “Would you like to study the Bible with us?” Without hesitation, they warmly answered, “Yes.” We arranged a schedule and looked forward to our first study together.

During our first visit, we introduced the topic “The Book of Hope — the Bible.” After the study, I asked how they felt about hearing God’s Word. Their answer honestly caught me off guard. They shared that it was their very first time personally studying the Bible.

For fifty-five years, they had faithfully practiced their Catholic faith, attended Mass regularly, and listened to sermons. Yet despite all those years, they had never opened and studied Scripture for themselves. Seeing their excitement felt unreal. Their joy was so genuine, like someone discovering something they had been searching for their entire life without realizing it.

As our Bible studies continued, I made it a habit to ask for their thoughts after every lesson. Their responses were always filled with gratitude and amazement.

Then we reached the topic of the Sabbath.

Tatay strongly believed Sunday was the Sabbath. He sincerely held to what he had always known. But Nanay Fredelina listened closely to the Bible verses we shared. Quietly, she said, “Sa buong buhay ko, ngayon ko lang nalaman na ang Sabbath ay ika-pitong araw ng linggo.” (“In my entire life, this is the first time I learned that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week.”)

Later, during our lesson on baptism, Nanay shared a deeply personal experience that stayed with me.

Years earlier, while walking through her fields, she encountered a frightening incident that caused her to lose consciousness. During that moment, she dreamed that she stood before Heaven’s gate. She remembered hearing these words: “Your name is not written in the Book of Life. Return to earth so your name may be written.”

When she woke up, she was already in the hospital.

Decades later, as we studied God’s Word together, she finally understood that experience differently. She believed God had been reaching out to her all along.

That journey taught me something I’ll never forget: Bible study is not just another activity or church program. It changes lives. God’s second chances often come quietly—through His Word, through people, and through moments we almost overlook. I realized that when God opens a door for us again, the best response is not fear but faith.

Name: Mikee Vios Toniacao I 64th Batch 1000MM

Hometown: Alamada, North Cotabato 

Mission field: Cagayungan, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur