From the Militant to the Triumphant Church

Introduction

Today, on All Saints' Sunday, we gather not only to remember those who have gone before us but to honor the ongoing story of God’s people. We honor the Church, spanning from ancient saints to those in our own lives who lived out their faith with courage, determination, and hope.

In Wesleyan thought, we call ourselves the Church Militant. We are God’s people on earth, engaged in the daily battle against sin and darkness, striving to live in holiness, struggling at times but always hoping.

Today, we remember that this battle is not in vain. Those who have gone before us, the saints who endured, are now part of the Church Triumphant.

They stand in victory, living proof that God’s promises are true. In Revelation 7, John gives us a glimpse of this victory—a vast multitude, worshiping, clothed in white, and praising God. They have “come out of the great tribulation” (Rev. 7:14) and now rest in God’s presence, no longer plagued by struggle or sorrow. This is our hope, our victory.

The Marathon Runner and the Finish Line

Imagine a marathon runner. They train for months, running through early mornings and late nights, in rain and cold, their feet pounding pavement in preparation for the big race. Finally, the day arrives. The race begins, and they push through mile after mile. At times, the pain is nearly overwhelming, and they wonder if they’ll ever reach the end. But they press on, one step at a time, driven by the vision of the finish line.

Then, as they approach the last mile, they hear the crowd. Friends, family, and even strangers line the route, cheering them on, celebrating their journey, calling them forward. Some of these voices belong to fellow runners who’ve already crossed the finish line, triumphant, but who have now returned to the course to encourage those still pressing forward. The runner digs deep and finishes the race, crossing the finish line into celebration, joy, and rest.

This is our journey from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. We are like runners, engaged in a marathon of faith, enduring trials, encouraged by the saints who have gone before us and who now cheer us on from heaven.

Point 1: The Church Militant—Engaged in the Battle

As members of the Church Militant, we are in a battle. We face trials, struggles, and, yes, suffering. Scripture calls this the “great tribulation”—the many hardships that can tempt us to grow weary or give up.

We contend not only with external challenges but with our own inner battles against temptation, pride, fear, and despair. These trials often feel exhausting, like that runner approaching the middle of the race, tired and unsure if the finish line will ever come.

But God gives us strength for the race. We do not run alone. We are part of a body, a community of believers who encourage, uplift, and support each other. Our lives are meant to reflect holiness, justice, love, and mercy as we work to shine Christ’s light in the world.

When we live this way, we join in the Church’s mission, proclaiming that there is hope, that God is at work, and that no struggle is in vain. The saints who went before us endured the same struggles, and by God’s grace, they overcame. They remind us that our labor, too, has meaning.

Point 2: The Church Triumphant—Victorious and at Rest

In Revelation 7, John gives us a glimpse of the Church Triumphant—a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They have come out of the great tribulation; their robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb. They are gathered around God’s throne, worshiping, filled with joy and peace. There, in the presence of God, they no longer hunger, thirst, or suffer; every tear has been wiped away.

These saints are our inspiration, and on All Saints' Sunday, we remember that their journey was just like ours. They experienced pain, suffering, and loss but held on to their faith.

They remained steadfast and stand as living proof that God’s promises are true. They encourage us to press on, reminding us that this life is not all there is. One day, we too will join them in the Church Triumphant, where our own suffering and struggles will be transformed into eternal peace and joy.

Point 3: Persevering with Hope—Our Journey from Grace to Glory

All Saints’ Sunday is about more than remembering; it’s about living with purpose. The saints who have gone before us call us to persevere.

Their lives are testimonies of God's faithfulness, showing us that our struggles are not meaningless. Every act of faith, every moment of love, every battle against sin draws us closer to that ultimate victory.

We are to be encouraged to live each day with this end in sight, to let every trial bring us closer to God, to let every victory in Christ build our hope. John Wesley believed that sanctification—our growth in holiness—is part of this journey. As we grow in holiness, we are being prepared for heaven, shaped by God’s grace to be among those in white robes.

Living as Saints-in-the-Making

What does this mean for us?

It means we are called to live as saints-in-the-making, faithfully engaging in our struggles while keeping our eyes on the finish line. On this All Saints’ Sunday, let us be inspired by those who have crossed the finish line ahead of us. Let us remember their faith, their perseverance, their joy, and let it strengthen us.

When we face hardship, let us remember that we are part of the Church Militant, fighting the good fight with the help of God’s Spirit and with the support of one another. And when we feel weary, let us listen for the voices of those cheering us on, the saints who urge us forward, reminding us that we are not alone and that the victory is assured.

Conclusion

The promise of Revelation 7 is that one day, the Church Militant will become the Church Triumphant. We will stand before God, clothed in white, our battles behind us, our pain erased, our tears wiped away. We will join the great multitude, praising the Lamb who has led us all the way.

So today, let us recommit to the journey. Let us honor those who have gone before us, living with the hope of joining them one day. Let their victory inspire us, for it is our victory, too. As we press on as the Church Militant, may we live in the hope and assurance of becoming the Church Triumphant. And one day, we will cross that finish line, into the presence of our God, forever.