Though few pay attention to this holiday in the church year, today is All Saints Day, a day to remember those who have gone before us trusting in Jesus Christ and continuing in the teaching of His Word, a day to give thanks to God for bringing them to faith, preserving and keeping them in faith and finally receiving them into the glories of heaven for Jesus' sake.
I suppose we better know the day as the sequel to Halloween, but Halloween or All Hallows Eve is truly the prequel or the beginning of All Saints Day, especially when we remember that the new day was once reckoned as beginning at sundown. While the Halloweens of today have more in common with the ancient pagan festivals of Europe, All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day are Christian festivals to give thanks to God for all the saints who have gone before us and are now in heaven with their God and Savior.
The Bible describes them this way in the revelation given to St. John (Revelation 7:14-17): "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
In the opening verses of "For All the Saints," a hymn by William W. How, we sing: "For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed; Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia, Alleluia!"
Who are these saints? They're not only the apostles and other prominent Christians over the past centuries; they're all who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ -- all who trust in Him and His cross for forgiveness and life everlasting (cf. Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2).
And for these and all the saints we give Jesus glory and praise, for He paid the price for their sins and ours and sent His Holy Spirit to regenerate them and us and bring them and us to faith in His cross, thus making us His saints -- holy and righteous through faith in His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world (cf. Ephesians 1:3ff.).
As His elect, we are sealed and preserved in the faith by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit. He keeps and protects us as we face persecution and trouble in this evil world which is under the judgment of the Almighty (Cf. Revelation 7:1ff.; 12:1ff.; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 6:10ff.). We remember the saints who have gone before us and consider how God kept and preserved them in the faith even through fierce persecution. We think of them and the glory they now know, and we take comfort and continue on in our walk with Christ.
Again I think of the hymn: "O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia, Alleluia!
"And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!"
And when we die -- whether martyred for Jesus or of natural causes -- we who trust in Christ leave the tribulations of this world to join all the saints who have gone before us into heaven, to be with those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb who suffered and died on the cross to take away the sin of the world (Cf. Revelation 7:9ff.; Philippians 1:23; John 1:29). And there we await that day when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead and to raise up and give eternal life to all the saints, to all who have trusted in Him for salvation (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff.; John 14:1ff.; 1 John 3:2).
In the words of the hymn: "But when there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on His way. Alleluia, Alleluia!
"From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, in praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia!"
Take time today to remember the saints. Consider that others -- many others -- have gone before us trusting in Christ Jesus and suffering persecution and even death rather than giving up the faith or compromising the teaching of God's Word. Remember that through faith in Christ Jesus, and for the sake of His cross, we have forgiveness for all our sins and a place in His everlasting kingdom. And consider the glory which awaits us and all who hold fast to Jesus as our Savior. Listen through the Scriptures to the saints singing God's praises in glory and then carry on toward the goal. Walk with Jesus! Hold fast to Him in faith!
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 11/01/2017