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And they overcame him [namely, the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.(Revelation 12:11)
After the day of Pentecost, the New Testament Church grew rapidly. It spread from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, to Galatia, to Ephesus, and beyond. The Gospel went out to every nation, tribe, people and language. Many people heard and believed in the death and resurrection of Christ. Many churches were established and Christianity grew.
Unfortunately, Christianity was persecuted, especially in the first four centuries. Many believers in Christ died a martyr's death for the sake of the Gospel — Justin, Ignatius, and Polycarp, just to name a few. In the midst of persecution, “they did not love their lives even in the face of death” (Revelation 12:11). They held to the confession that Christ is the Savior of the world. They did not cling to the things of this world, but remained faithful unto death. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, they were not afraid to die
The early church wanted to remember the faithful who have departed. They wanted to honor the many men and woman who were persecuted for the sake of Christ and who eventually died a martyr's death. The list got so large that the church decided to honor the Apostles' and others on a special day — usually on the day of their death — but all others would be honored on a day called “The Festival of All Saints' Day”. This festival was first celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost (and still is in the East), but in the seventh century it was moved to November 1st.
Today, we remember the faithful who have departed. We don't glorify the person, but give God thanks for covering them with the robe of Christ's righteousness in holy baptism and for giving them saving faith in Christ. We thank God for giving them strength and perseverance in the faith and pray that, we too, may be faithful unto death.
We will first focus on the saints in heaven who are in the church triumphant. Then, we will focus on the saints who are on earth: you, me, and all believers in Christ.
Many of our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us did not die a martyr's death, but they certainly suffered many trials and temptations in our fallen world. While they were here on earth, life was not easy for them. Our sermon hymn says: “Despised and scorned, they sojourned here.” And then, later on, it says: “So oft, in troubled days gone by, In anguish they would weep and sigh.” Yes, there were times when they “sowed tears and pain.”
Our opening hymn identified them as “saints who have nobly fought of old.” During the fight, God was their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might. He was their Captain in the well fought fight. He was their One true Light.
Were they involved in a battle? Yes, they were. They fought against an unbelieving world, the devil himself, and against the sinful flesh. Did they fall into sin? Sure they did. They were not perfect. They inherited the fallen nature of their parents all the way back to Adam. Yet, their sins were washed in the blood of the Lamb. They were baptized in Christ. They found comfort in the forgiveness of sins. Their hunger and thirst for righteousness was satisfied by receiving our Lord's true body and blood.
Before an unbelieving world, they confessed their faith in Christ. They fought for the truth of the Gospel. In the end, they fought a good fight. They have finished the race. They have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7–8). They have gone on ahead of us. Yes, we miss them.
Revelation, Chapter 7, identifies the saints in heaven as those who have come out of the great tribulation. In other words, they have come out of our world of suffering. They have come out of our world of sin and death. God has then wiped away every tear from their eyes. They are now in the presence of the living God serving Him day and night. They now rest from their labors. Our sermon hymn says that “They now enjoy their Sabbath rest, the paschal banquet of the blest.” God is now their heavenly shepherd leading them to living fountains of waters.
Yes, we dearly miss our loved ones who have died in the Lord. We give God thanks for covering them with the robe of Christ's righteousness in holy baptism and for giving them saving faith in Christ.
While we remain here on earth, life will not be easy for us. Living in a sin–filled world, we all have our share of trials, tribulations, and times of suffering. There are family conflicts and disagreements between co–workers. We suffer from the consequence of our own sin and the consequence of the sins of others. As sinners, we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We long for the forgiveness of sins which only God can give.
By the sweat of our brow, we work in order to put food on our table. We suffer from sickness, disease, aging, strokes, heart attacks, cancer — the list could go on and on. We are in danger of fires, drought, flood, storms, tornadoes, or hail.
The wages of sin is death. Therefore, we attend funerals and shed tears of sorrow.
Saint Paul admits that we suffer here on earth. He says, “...the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Jesus never promised that the Christian life would be easy. As a matter of fact, He said, “In this world, you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). He also said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus even warns us of the persecution that will come on account of our faith in Him. We will be reviled by the unbelieving world because of our faith in Christ. The enemies of the Gospel will speak all kinds of evil against us falsely.
Scripture often portrays the life of a Christian to a battle field. Saint Paul calls us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:11–12). The church on earth is often times called the “church militant”, because she fights against the devil and false doctrine.
Our opening hymn identifies us as “soldiers, faithful, true and bold.” It calls us to “fight as the saints who nobly fought of old.” The fight, as our hymn puts it “is fierce, the warfare long.”
Again, our journey to heaven on Christ's path of righteousness will be a difficult journey.
Christ's journey to the cross was difficult. His own people rejected him. They slandered him and spit upon him. The suffering on the cross was difficult. Jesus not only suffered the pain of crucifixion, but also the wrath of God against sin. Yet, out of love for you and me, Jesus was faithful in making the payment for our sins. He shed innocent blood for our salvation. Three days later, Christ rose from the dead and is alive forever more.
We are saved because of the death and resurrection of Christ. We are “saints” — holy people — because of the righteousness of Christ.
As we journey to heaven on the path of Christ's righteousness it will not be easy. We fight against an unbelieving world and the devil himself. Yet, don't throw in the towel. Don't drop out of the race. Don't let anything hinder you from hearing God's Word and receiving His sacrament. Don't be lazy on your journey to heaven, but make church a high priority. Don't let the idol gods or the world distract you from worship.
As you press on toward the goal of heaven, persevere according to God's strength. As Hebrews 12:1–2 says, “Run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Run the Christian life by drowning sin in repentance and by believing in God's forgiveness. Run by renouncing the devil and all his works and all his ways. Run away from the temptations of the devil and of the sinful world.
Dearly beloved, as you remain here on earth, look forward to what lies ahead. Press on toward the goal of heaven. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colosians 3:1–2). Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1–2). During difficult times, persevere in the one true faith. The Lord is your Captain in the well-fought fight. By the power of the Holy Spirit, remain steadfast by hearing our Lord's Word and by receiving His sacrament.
Hebrews, Chapter 12 tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. We can't see them, but they are present. Not only the angels and archangels, but all the company of heaven are also present with us on the other side of this altar. They are with us, because we are both connected to Christ our Lord. The closest place we can come to our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us is here at the altar.
The saints in heaven are singing, “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb”, and we are doing the same thing. We are giving all thanksgiving and glory to God for the salvation which He has provided for us through His Son.
Again, while we remain here on earth, press on toward the goal of heaven. The fight is fierce and the warfare will be long. And yet, there will “break a yet more glorious day.”
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!(Lutheran Service Book #677, Stanza 6)
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