Rev. Dustin ParkerALL SAINTS!
Concordia Lutheran Church
All Saints Day, November 7, 2010
The Saints Before the Throne!
Rev. 7:9-17
† IN JESUS NAME! †
May your hearts and minds, guarded by Christ Jesus, rest in God’s peace, and rejoice in His presence, as His people have, and will continue to rejoice, even when all finally gather before His throne…
The Glorious Picture
Poly crowds – go to the beach – each grain of sand…
I wish I could grasp that which John describes in the words from Revelation we heard a moment ago. As Mark and I talked about the passage this week – his artistic nature tried to imagine painting it – I try to imagine the sounds of the AMEN, and the songs that are described in all of scripture, as the people of God praise Him, and worship Him, and celebrate being home.
It was beyond our comprehension…
The great multitude, more than any mind can compute, a crowd that God promised would outnumber the sand at the seashore. Imagine the scene – the 4 creatures, the 24 elders, the millions of millions of angels, and the billions of members of our church family that God has called home, finally all there. Even without bringing into the discussion His glory, His majesty, His love, that surrounds and unites and has healed us all…
There will be those that we have only read about or read the works of – Abraham and Moses, David and Peter and Paul. Those who followed, Augustine and Luther, Francis and Brother Lawrence. There are those who have preceded us here, who were baptized and brought their children to be baptized at this font. There are our friends who we have said good-bye to over the years, and there seems to have been way to many of those recently. Armando and Clyde, Cherrie’s dad, Jim’s mom, Jim Franks, the Lingo’s, Francis aand Elmer Waters, both of Kay’s uncles and others – those who God’s faithfulness sustained will be there, even as He sustains us now in their absence. Before that throne as well will be you and I, and those generations that yet unborn will find themselves. Marked by God in baptism at this font, and other places where God’s word promises them eternal fellowship with Him, even as the word of God and water are applied.
For God is the God of those in the past, He is our God, and He is the God of the future as well. Today we celebrate His faithfulness to All saints, who will be gathered before His throne, whose plea is Christ
As we attempt to grasp the breadth, the width, the height an depth of this incredible scene, I pray we begin to get an inkling of the breadth, the width, the height and depth of God’s love for us, the Revelation of which is found Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our Christ.
Who
Great Tribulation survivors
Those cleansed by Christ’s blood –
Those who will praise God and recognize His glory
The apostle John is asked a question regarding the scene that he tries to describe. Who is this crowd, where have they come? My mind tells me that John left out his uhm…uhhh… uhmmm… as his mind attempted to grasp that which he looked upon in awe. Instead of continuing to strain his mind with trying to answer a question as he deals with visual and auditory overload, he tosses the question back into the elder’s lap. “Sir,” he says, “Sir, you know?!?”
They have all come out of the great tribulation – they have survived the great struggle. So many commentators over the last five decades to two centuries have tried to determine the nature and timing of this great tribulation. There has been no end to the book of theories, to the television preacher’s claiming revealed knowledge of the timing, and of whether we are here or not. As I have heard the theories and “prophecies over the years, something has nagged me. The elder describes all the saints, the billions upon billions. Not one section that were alive for a seven year period- but all whose robes were washed white, all those who proclaim God’s reign, and glory and power.
The tribulation is something that affected them all –for they have all come out of it – it is the biggest battle that mankind has faced in its existence – the Mega-tribulation… that which causes major suffering which was endured and is now over – because of the blood of the lamb!
Hear a description of this tribulation, found in Romans 8,
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)
It is the sin that the Lord God told Adam would afflict him, which is the cause of the tribulation. It is that sin, our sin, that causes the creation to groan and live in a sense of futility. It is that which causes death, and pain, and suffering beyond our ability to cope. What if all sin, and all its effects were done away with, what is left? What does indeed the Christ’s incarnation, life, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension rescue us, save us and deliver us from?
Sin, and that which it empowers, death. It ends the separation, separation from God, from the family of God, from life.
When
Heb. 11 – not quite yet.. they are waiting.. and so may we
Remember God’s will – all who would come to repentance
Revelation describes this scene over and over again, the billions upon billions gathered around the throne. All of those who have had their robes washed dazzling white, who proclaim with great joy the holiness, the majesty, the power of God. They have witnessed in His salvation – His because He willed it – and He accomplished it, and He will gather that crowd together to Him.
John describes it in the first person, but let us not forget that this is a vision – of vision of the eschaton, the completion of what we understand and what we know. It is still to come – for gathering there includes us alongside saints of old, and the saints yet to be born. Hebrews 11 describes it this way, describing those who lived trusting in God,
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)
Revelation tells us they wait for us as well, and for those to come. We won’t arrive to the banquet late, we don’t miss the parade. Those in the past wait in God’s presence, described as under the throne, for God’s desire to fulfilled. Peter writes to saints in his time, who suffered persecution while waiting the promise deliverance from sin. Described why we wait this way,
“8 But there is one thing, my dear friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is; rather is he being patient with you, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (NJB)
A truly incredible day! When we shall all see God in His glory, when we are the way we have been described! When every saint is finally gathered – and we celebrate the marriage supper of the lamb! The trial of sin and the fear of death completely dealt with, as we are “
Where
Before the Throne…
Jesus prayer fulfilled…
Now and not yet – for we are hid in Christ our hearts and minds guarded in his peace.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he spoke the following words,
“34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn't let me. 35 Now your temple will be deserted. You won't see me again until the time when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." Luke 13:34-35 (CEV)
It is this day described in John, as we, with all the other saints of History, with angels and archangels and all the host of heaven are gathered. The same picture is used in our Revelation reading – where John writes:
15 “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 shelter them with his presence.
O what a day, when every person who trusts in Christ’s work purchasing their freedom from sin will cry out in praise!
That is why this altar is so special – the post communion prayer describes it as a foretaste of the feast to come that day – the presence of God, the praises of the angels and archangels and the entire company of heaven join with our voices – praising the Lord God Almighty, singing Holy Holy Holy!
While we wait, at this altar we proclaim His death, the death that secures our hope. His death that has secured our forgiveness. That guarantees our eternal fellowship with all that are in the vision of John, including the Triune God. The God who not only gathers us all, but who desires too gather us. He gives us the peace to wait, and the desire to cry out, even so, Come Lord Jesus!
AMEN?
 
All Saints Day, November 7, 2010
The Saints Before the Throne!
Rev. 7:9-17
† IN JESUS NAME! †
May your hearts and minds, guarded by Christ Jesus, rest in God’s peace, and rejoice in His presence, as His people have, and will continue to rejoice, even when all finally gather before His throne…
The Glorious Picture
Poly crowds – go to the beach – each grain of sand…
I wish I could grasp that which John describes in the words from Revelation we heard a moment ago. As Mark and I talked about the passage this week – his artistic nature tried to imagine painting it – I try to imagine the sounds of the AMEN, and the songs that are described in all of scripture, as the people of God praise Him, and worship Him, and celebrate being home.
It was beyond our comprehension…
The great multitude, more than any mind can compute, a crowd that God promised would outnumber the sand at the seashore. Imagine the scene – the 4 creatures, the 24 elders, the millions of millions of angels, and the billions of members of our church family that God has called home, finally all there. Even without bringing into the discussion His glory, His majesty, His love, that surrounds and unites and has healed us all…
There will be those that we have only read about or read the works of – Abraham and Moses, David and Peter and Paul. Those who followed, Augustine and Luther, Francis and Brother Lawrence. There are those who have preceded us here, who were baptized and brought their children to be baptized at this font. There are our friends who we have said good-bye to over the years, and there seems to have been way to many of those recently. Armando and Clyde, Cherrie’s dad, Jim’s mom, Jim Franks, the Lingo’s, Francis aand Elmer Waters, both of Kay’s uncles and others – those who God’s faithfulness sustained will be there, even as He sustains us now in their absence. Before that throne as well will be you and I, and those generations that yet unborn will find themselves. Marked by God in baptism at this font, and other places where God’s word promises them eternal fellowship with Him, even as the word of God and water are applied.
For God is the God of those in the past, He is our God, and He is the God of the future as well. Today we celebrate His faithfulness to All saints, who will be gathered before His throne, whose plea is Christ
As we attempt to grasp the breadth, the width, the height an depth of this incredible scene, I pray we begin to get an inkling of the breadth, the width, the height and depth of God’s love for us, the Revelation of which is found Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our Christ.
Who
Great Tribulation survivors
Those cleansed by Christ’s blood –
Those who will praise God and recognize His glory
The apostle John is asked a question regarding the scene that he tries to describe. Who is this crowd, where have they come? My mind tells me that John left out his uhm…uhhh… uhmmm… as his mind attempted to grasp that which he looked upon in awe. Instead of continuing to strain his mind with trying to answer a question as he deals with visual and auditory overload, he tosses the question back into the elder’s lap. “Sir,” he says, “Sir, you know?!?”
They have all come out of the great tribulation – they have survived the great struggle. So many commentators over the last five decades to two centuries have tried to determine the nature and timing of this great tribulation. There has been no end to the book of theories, to the television preacher’s claiming revealed knowledge of the timing, and of whether we are here or not. As I have heard the theories and “prophecies over the years, something has nagged me. The elder describes all the saints, the billions upon billions. Not one section that were alive for a seven year period- but all whose robes were washed white, all those who proclaim God’s reign, and glory and power.
The tribulation is something that affected them all –for they have all come out of it – it is the biggest battle that mankind has faced in its existence – the Mega-tribulation… that which causes major suffering which was endured and is now over – because of the blood of the lamb!
Hear a description of this tribulation, found in Romans 8,
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)
It is the sin that the Lord God told Adam would afflict him, which is the cause of the tribulation. It is that sin, our sin, that causes the creation to groan and live in a sense of futility. It is that which causes death, and pain, and suffering beyond our ability to cope. What if all sin, and all its effects were done away with, what is left? What does indeed the Christ’s incarnation, life, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension rescue us, save us and deliver us from?
Sin, and that which it empowers, death. It ends the separation, separation from God, from the family of God, from life.
When
Heb. 11 – not quite yet.. they are waiting.. and so may we
Remember God’s will – all who would come to repentance
Revelation describes this scene over and over again, the billions upon billions gathered around the throne. All of those who have had their robes washed dazzling white, who proclaim with great joy the holiness, the majesty, the power of God. They have witnessed in His salvation – His because He willed it – and He accomplished it, and He will gather that crowd together to Him.
John describes it in the first person, but let us not forget that this is a vision – of vision of the eschaton, the completion of what we understand and what we know. It is still to come – for gathering there includes us alongside saints of old, and the saints yet to be born. Hebrews 11 describes it this way, describing those who lived trusting in God,
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)
Revelation tells us they wait for us as well, and for those to come. We won’t arrive to the banquet late, we don’t miss the parade. Those in the past wait in God’s presence, described as under the throne, for God’s desire to fulfilled. Peter writes to saints in his time, who suffered persecution while waiting the promise deliverance from sin. Described why we wait this way,
“8 But there is one thing, my dear friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is; rather is he being patient with you, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (NJB)
A truly incredible day! When we shall all see God in His glory, when we are the way we have been described! When every saint is finally gathered – and we celebrate the marriage supper of the lamb! The trial of sin and the fear of death completely dealt with, as we are “
Where
Before the Throne…
Jesus prayer fulfilled…
Now and not yet – for we are hid in Christ our hearts and minds guarded in his peace.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he spoke the following words,
“34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn't let me. 35 Now your temple will be deserted. You won't see me again until the time when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." Luke 13:34-35 (CEV)
It is this day described in John, as we, with all the other saints of History, with angels and archangels and all the host of heaven are gathered. The same picture is used in our Revelation reading – where John writes:
15 “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 shelter them with his presence.
O what a day, when every person who trusts in Christ’s work purchasing their freedom from sin will cry out in praise!
That is why this altar is so special – the post communion prayer describes it as a foretaste of the feast to come that day – the presence of God, the praises of the angels and archangels and the entire company of heaven join with our voices – praising the Lord God Almighty, singing Holy Holy Holy!
While we wait, at this altar we proclaim His death, the death that secures our hope. His death that has secured our forgiveness. That guarantees our eternal fellowship with all that are in the vision of John, including the Triune God. The God who not only gathers us all, but who desires too gather us. He gives us the peace to wait, and the desire to cry out, even so, Come Lord Jesus!
AMEN?
 
