All Saint's Day (Observed)

Revelation 7:9-17

My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great joy that today we get to observe and celebrate All Saint’s Day. Now typically All Saint’s Day is celebrated on November 1st right after All Hallow’s Eve. This is a day that is of great joy and blessing to us as we prepare for the end of all things and remember the hope that we have in the Resurrection, even though these dead are not with us here, they are before the throne of God and serve Him who sits on the throne and He shelters them with His presence.

Now our passage in Revelation picks up right after John hears that the number of the sealed is 12,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel, a total of 144,000, but when John looks he sees a great multitude that no one could number from every nation from all tribes, languages and peoples standing before the throne and before the lamb. This great multitude this 144,000 the which is 12 x 12 referring to the Tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles, it is the gathering of both Old and New Testament believers, and the 1000 is 10 x 10 x 10 referring to Divine completion, so here are all the Christians of both the Old and New Testament who are living before the Lord and singing His praises.

We remember this day each year, because we need continued encouragement especially as the day of Christ’s return draws near, the world continues to groan as it prepares to perish. This isn’t just about those we love and are dear to us that are taken from our presence and brought before the presence of God. John was shown this vision and it was recorded for our benefit as well that we might not grow fainthearted or discouraged but to know that those who have died in the faith are with Christ.

When John writes this letter, it is near the end of the 1st century. At this point all the other disciples are dead, James his brother was the first apostle to have been martyred, Peter is dead, those two men with whom He Jesus transfigured on the mount. Peter’s brother Andrew whom he worked with is dead, Philip is dead, Thomas is dead, and except for Judas they died confessing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. John alone is left.

Many are surprised when I tell them that Revelation is a book of great comfort, because most people are terrified by its description, but look at this picture here, and think about what it means not just for John but for you. Jesus is showing this to John not to terrify him, but to show him the victory that the Church enjoys over all the forces that had been arrayed against it in John’s day.

Over and over again this book confesses the very simple fact, that yes the world will give us trouble, and the forces of death and hell will rise against the Church but in the end Jesus is victorious and He keeps his people safe. So if the world starts to fall apart do not fear, especially when violence, disease, and ailments begin to mount. It is easy to let the world overwhelm you and give up, but here John sees that God has not given up on His people, but is even bringing through the great tribulation into His Kingdom.

We need this reminder every year, as more people we know, and love are added to that list of saints in heaven. It is meant as encouragement not for the deceased for they are already comforted by the presence of God, but it is meant to encourage you just as it was encouragement for John. For they aren’t gone and they have not been abandoned by God to the grave. They are there in the presence of God almighty.

We want to talk about this before you die, and you want to talk with your loved ones about this as well. If you understand the resurrection, and what we are shown here, it provides hope in the midst of those sorrows. It is tempting to avoid it, and to just not talk about it. We have the Funeral Prep form but not everyone turns it back in, because it is a hard thing to think about your death, and that is because most people think of death as the end.

That is what how the world sees death is that person is gone forever, any arguments you had remain unresolved, any words you wanted them to hear, they never will. You will not see their face, hear their laugh, or be able to hold their hand again. While you will be able to share with others about who they are, no one will be able to meet them, and get to know them and enjoy them as you did.

This is why death is the enemy, it is a curse and the greatest evil that mankind suffers due to our sin that despite all of our strength and power and might, we are returned to dust because of what Adam did, and the sins that we have committed since.

But we as Christians know that there is hope because death is not our end. In fact Jesus tells us that God is the God of the living not the dead. That is why Jesus rose from the dead, that even though He had been laid in the grave, the grave was not the end of Him, and it will not be the end of you, or of anyone who believes and is baptized. For their robes have been washed white in the blood of the lamb. That is what happens in Baptism, it is why we give that bit of cloth to a person when they are baptized because they have been clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness and washed clean by His blood.

Which is why we are encouraged to see this sight as John was encouraged for the saints aren’t gone, they are with the Lord, and they are in His presence as we too will be one day. We finally have there what we longed for in this life, no more concerns about hunger, or thirst, heat or sufferings He will be there to wipe away every tear from our eyes.

This day also ought to remind us of what we look forward to. It isn’t life here, but it is eternity with Christ, and so we should not store up for ourselves treasures where moth and rust destroy. For we are reminded that this world is passing away. Ever since the day Adam sinned the earth became cursed and is slowly coming to an end.

That is why Christians have learned to bear with much hardship, pain, loss, and suffering for we are not looking for treasures here on earth, but looking instead to paradise, and the coming of Christ. We even begin to look forward to that day when our life here comes to an end, and we are brought into heaven.

You see this happen in folks as they slowly lose attachment to this world and this life and instead start to look ahead to paradise. We don’t think much of these promises of peace and new bodies while we are in good health and strong, but as sickness and disease begin to attack us, or those we love, we are reminded that this is not all there is, and there is something that is in fact far better.

So when you find hardship, disappointment and suffering in this world, do not lose heart. For this world is passing away, and we look ahead to something that is greater than this earth, that place where God dwells with man. The Lamb in the midst of the throne who is Christ will lead us to those springs of living water and wipe away all tears from our eyes.

We get a foretaste of that today in the Lord’s Supper, Christ comes to gives us a foretaste of that feast which is enjoyed in paradise, here at the Lord’s Table, and in this we are united not only with Christ, but with all those who eat at his table, both here on earth and in heaven above. For the same Christ who feeds us, nourishes them, and all the children of God are gathered together in this divine and holy moment. As we are united together around Christ.

So take comfort as we celebrate this day my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, that thsoe who have died in the faith are with Christ in paradise above, and see that all has not been in vain. For one day, all who believe and are baptized will be brought before the throne of God, and He will shelter us with His presence and wipe away all the tears from our eyes. In Jesus name. Amen.