All Saints' Day (Observed) October 31, 2021
Revelation 7:9-17
Coming Out of the Great Tribulation
v.9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…
Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Dearly beloved in Christ, to say this past year plus has been hard would be a severe understatement. We have had tumultuous elections, natural disasters, riots, etc., all set within the context of a global pandemic. And, of course, it's not like life—and death—simply ceased during this time. Our small church community has been rocked again and again by the loss of people near and dear to us—our brothers and sisters in Christ. Most of the time, due to various government restrictions, we weren't able to properly gather as the body of Christ to lay our dear ones to rest. So these tribulations we have endured have taken on an almost surrealistic character. We know that our loved ones have died, but much of the time we have been unable to come together to grieve and mourn as a church family. Difficult indeed.
So, then, beloved, let us take this opportunity now to do so. It is fitting to remember with joy and thanksgiving our loved ones who have died in the faith—particularly on this All Saints' Day. For truly, those who believe in Jesus are saints—are holy ones—in the sight of God. We saints on earth struggle as the Church Militant, continuing to do battle against sin, death, and the devil, while they, the Church Triumphant, live in protected glory with God. As our one Communion Hymn (677 st.4) puts it, "We feebly struggle, they in glory shine."
Indeed, this beautiful picture of the Church Triumphant is what St. John records for us in his revelation. He looks and sees a multitude beyond number, consisting of people from all time and space around the world: people from all different nations, tribes, languages—yet all united in their common faith and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. The very confession of faith that you and I have made—that our dear brothers and sisters in Christ have given (list names of saints in glory)—the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all. We give the same confession as those saints described by John, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Salvation from sin—from death—from hell—belongs to none other than God alone who sits on the throne of heaven in divine splendor and majesty. It also belongs to the Lamb. Who is the Lamb? None other than our Lord Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" as we sing each week in the Agnus Dei of the Communion liturgy. A song that has been sung by the saints of God for almost two thousand years—and one that will echo throughout eternity by all the heavenly host.
What comfort we receive from this snapshot of the heavenly realm and the church triumphant. For we know that despite the hardships and trials we Christians face in this fallen world and life—despite the sins we have committed and others have committed against us—despite the tragic losses we have endured through death and devastation—yet, in the end, we will stand victorious. We will stand victorious not because of the great strength of our own might or power—not because of the goodness of our own works or merits—but rather purely on account of Christ alone—the Lamb of God who died to take away all our sin. We will stand upright in glory before the throne of God—before the Lamb—clothed in white robes with palm branches—along with all our dear friends in Christ.
Indeed, when the elder addresses John, asking him, "Who are these, clothed in white robes and from where have they come?" [John] said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to [John], "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." So, all these saints that stand upright in joyful victory before the throne of God—dressed in white robes signifying their purity and holiness—are those who have persevered in the faith. They have come through the great tribulation—trials of sin and temptation—hardship and heartache—sorrow-filled on account of death and terrible consequences of sin this broken world. Yet, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Their sin clings to them no longer—for it has all been washed away in the cleansing flood of Jesus' blood and righteousness.
This is true for all the saints: from Adam to Abraham to Moses and Peter and Paul and John—to our dear loved ones we have lost this past year and more—to you and me as well! For in Baptism, the water and the Word of God has applied to us the saving benefits of Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross. That blood cleanses and purifies you and me and all people as we cling to the promises of God in His Word, which bespeaks us righteous—declares us not guilty of sin and transgression—for Jesus has paid the penalty for sin that was yours and mine—that belonged to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus has paid it all by His suffering and death on the cross. So now we can stand with all the saints in glory everlasting!
St. John is given a grand vision of what life in glory will be like: they will stand before the throne of God and serve Him day and night—and they will be sheltered with His presence. There shall no longer be any hungering or thirsting, nor shall the sun or any scorching heat strike them. Indeed, life in the presence of God will be devoid of anguish or hardship of any kind. For the Lamb of God will be their shepherd who will guide them to springs of living water, and He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
This is the future reward for all the faithful—all the saints—all the holy ones of God who trust and believe in the salvation won by the Lamb. We will be sheltered forevermore by His loving presence. Sin and death will be forever abolished and struck down. The devil and all his evil horde of demons, along with all unbelievers, will be forever cast into the fiery pit of hell—the outer darkness—where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth—but where they can no longer strike or harm God's people of faith.
We shall no longer deal with the effects of living in a sinful world, for all will be changed and transformed—renewed by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We will be sheltered until that day when Christ comes again in glory and raises both the living and the dead—when we will be reunited with all those we love who have died in the faith. For our hope and promise in Christ is secure. Hunger, thirst, scorching heat—nothing will harm us or touch us. We will enjoy rich feasting in God's kingdom—feasting sumptuously on the very body and blood of the Lamb of God who was slain—even as we participate in the foretaste of that great Feast in the Holy Supper this day.
This very Lamb of God who gave Himself for the salvation of His people is also our Good Shepherd. And He will guide us to the springs of living water that flow from His spear pierced side—that we may immerse ourselves in His mercy and forgiveness—His grace and goodness. Our tender shepherd will reach out with His loving hand and gently wipe away the tears from our eyes. Tears wrought of sin, death, and separation. Tears that have no place in His presence. For He has paid for our sin—He has destroyed the power of death—and He has brought us near to Himself through His blessed means of grace
So, beloved, here before you lie the great promises of God given to His people in His Word. Promises of forgiveness in the face of sin—joy in the midst of sorrow—peace in the face of fear—life in the face of death. Promises given and confirmed and made true by the sacrifice of Jesus for you and me and all people. Promises that have been fulfilled for all those who have died trusting in Jesus—the Lamb of God—as their Savior. These promises are yours as well. Which is why, even as we gather to mourn our loved ones—yet we can also rejoice and sing—for God's Word is faithful and true. What He says He will do—He WILL do.
So we Christians have nothing to fear. Not the devil. Not our sin. Not even death. Indeed, we sing with great joy:
O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden's door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
Indeed, the glory of heaven belongs to you already, as it does to all our family of faith. For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Revelation 7:9-17
Coming Out of the Great Tribulation
v.9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…
Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Dearly beloved in Christ, to say this past year plus has been hard would be a severe understatement. We have had tumultuous elections, natural disasters, riots, etc., all set within the context of a global pandemic. And, of course, it's not like life—and death—simply ceased during this time. Our small church community has been rocked again and again by the loss of people near and dear to us—our brothers and sisters in Christ. Most of the time, due to various government restrictions, we weren't able to properly gather as the body of Christ to lay our dear ones to rest. So these tribulations we have endured have taken on an almost surrealistic character. We know that our loved ones have died, but much of the time we have been unable to come together to grieve and mourn as a church family. Difficult indeed.
So, then, beloved, let us take this opportunity now to do so. It is fitting to remember with joy and thanksgiving our loved ones who have died in the faith—particularly on this All Saints' Day. For truly, those who believe in Jesus are saints—are holy ones—in the sight of God. We saints on earth struggle as the Church Militant, continuing to do battle against sin, death, and the devil, while they, the Church Triumphant, live in protected glory with God. As our one Communion Hymn (677 st.4) puts it, "We feebly struggle, they in glory shine."
Indeed, this beautiful picture of the Church Triumphant is what St. John records for us in his revelation. He looks and sees a multitude beyond number, consisting of people from all time and space around the world: people from all different nations, tribes, languages—yet all united in their common faith and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. The very confession of faith that you and I have made—that our dear brothers and sisters in Christ have given (list names of saints in glory)—the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all. We give the same confession as those saints described by John, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Salvation from sin—from death—from hell—belongs to none other than God alone who sits on the throne of heaven in divine splendor and majesty. It also belongs to the Lamb. Who is the Lamb? None other than our Lord Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" as we sing each week in the Agnus Dei of the Communion liturgy. A song that has been sung by the saints of God for almost two thousand years—and one that will echo throughout eternity by all the heavenly host.
What comfort we receive from this snapshot of the heavenly realm and the church triumphant. For we know that despite the hardships and trials we Christians face in this fallen world and life—despite the sins we have committed and others have committed against us—despite the tragic losses we have endured through death and devastation—yet, in the end, we will stand victorious. We will stand victorious not because of the great strength of our own might or power—not because of the goodness of our own works or merits—but rather purely on account of Christ alone—the Lamb of God who died to take away all our sin. We will stand upright in glory before the throne of God—before the Lamb—clothed in white robes with palm branches—along with all our dear friends in Christ.
Indeed, when the elder addresses John, asking him, "Who are these, clothed in white robes and from where have they come?" [John] said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to [John], "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." So, all these saints that stand upright in joyful victory before the throne of God—dressed in white robes signifying their purity and holiness—are those who have persevered in the faith. They have come through the great tribulation—trials of sin and temptation—hardship and heartache—sorrow-filled on account of death and terrible consequences of sin this broken world. Yet, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Their sin clings to them no longer—for it has all been washed away in the cleansing flood of Jesus' blood and righteousness.
This is true for all the saints: from Adam to Abraham to Moses and Peter and Paul and John—to our dear loved ones we have lost this past year and more—to you and me as well! For in Baptism, the water and the Word of God has applied to us the saving benefits of Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross. That blood cleanses and purifies you and me and all people as we cling to the promises of God in His Word, which bespeaks us righteous—declares us not guilty of sin and transgression—for Jesus has paid the penalty for sin that was yours and mine—that belonged to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus has paid it all by His suffering and death on the cross. So now we can stand with all the saints in glory everlasting!
St. John is given a grand vision of what life in glory will be like: they will stand before the throne of God and serve Him day and night—and they will be sheltered with His presence. There shall no longer be any hungering or thirsting, nor shall the sun or any scorching heat strike them. Indeed, life in the presence of God will be devoid of anguish or hardship of any kind. For the Lamb of God will be their shepherd who will guide them to springs of living water, and He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
This is the future reward for all the faithful—all the saints—all the holy ones of God who trust and believe in the salvation won by the Lamb. We will be sheltered forevermore by His loving presence. Sin and death will be forever abolished and struck down. The devil and all his evil horde of demons, along with all unbelievers, will be forever cast into the fiery pit of hell—the outer darkness—where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth—but where they can no longer strike or harm God's people of faith.
We shall no longer deal with the effects of living in a sinful world, for all will be changed and transformed—renewed by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We will be sheltered until that day when Christ comes again in glory and raises both the living and the dead—when we will be reunited with all those we love who have died in the faith. For our hope and promise in Christ is secure. Hunger, thirst, scorching heat—nothing will harm us or touch us. We will enjoy rich feasting in God's kingdom—feasting sumptuously on the very body and blood of the Lamb of God who was slain—even as we participate in the foretaste of that great Feast in the Holy Supper this day.
This very Lamb of God who gave Himself for the salvation of His people is also our Good Shepherd. And He will guide us to the springs of living water that flow from His spear pierced side—that we may immerse ourselves in His mercy and forgiveness—His grace and goodness. Our tender shepherd will reach out with His loving hand and gently wipe away the tears from our eyes. Tears wrought of sin, death, and separation. Tears that have no place in His presence. For He has paid for our sin—He has destroyed the power of death—and He has brought us near to Himself through His blessed means of grace
So, beloved, here before you lie the great promises of God given to His people in His Word. Promises of forgiveness in the face of sin—joy in the midst of sorrow—peace in the face of fear—life in the face of death. Promises given and confirmed and made true by the sacrifice of Jesus for you and me and all people. Promises that have been fulfilled for all those who have died trusting in Jesus—the Lamb of God—as their Savior. These promises are yours as well. Which is why, even as we gather to mourn our loved ones—yet we can also rejoice and sing—for God's Word is faithful and true. What He says He will do—He WILL do.
So we Christians have nothing to fear. Not the devil. Not our sin. Not even death. Indeed, we sing with great joy:
O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden's door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
Indeed, the glory of heaven belongs to you already, as it does to all our family of faith. For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.