"Behold A Host, Arrayed In White”

In Jesus Holy Name November 5, 2023

Text: Revelation 19:7, 21:3-5 All Saints Day, Redeemer

“Behold a Host, Arrayed in White”

Home. There is nothing like arriving home after a long journey. After 2 flight delays, airport screening, extra things placed in plastic containers, shoes and belts off, one book, your plane finally lands. You are almost home. There is no drive way like your drive way. No door like your door. No coffee like your coffee out of your own mug. No embrace like the one from your family.

You may have noticed that you are closer to your eternal home, than ever before. Each moment is a step taken. Each breath is a page turned. When we arrive we will be greeted by all our loved ones who have been waiting for us. Jesus will speak our name. Welcome home. Well done good and faithful servant.

John’s description of our future home steals your breath away. The final battle is graphic. Good clashes with evil. (Read Revelation 19:11-16) The glorified Jesus comes for His bride, His church. The wedding banquet has been prepared. (Rev. 19:7-8) John writes “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” There will be no more death, no more spades of dirt thrown on the caskets. No names chiseled on granite. No black dresses. “No crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.” Home at last.

On this All Saint’s Sunday the “church” stops to remember the cloud of witnesses, the multitudes of our brothers and sisters who have died with faith in Jesus. In our service today we remember the names of our friends and loved ones. ……….. Last Sunday our congregation celebrated “Reformation Day”. Have you ever wondered by Martin Luther chose to post his 95 Thesis on October 31st. It was not an accident that he chose October 31, 1517.

He knew that the next day November 1st All Saints Day would be one of the most attended days of worship. November 1st had become a day of “holy obligation” by Papal decree in 1484. The Papal Decree told people that when they crossed the threshold of the church door for worship on All Saints Day a soul of their loved one would be released from purgatory. Attendance sored. On that Sunday Luther preached the words of Jesus, the words of grace and forgiveness, purchased on the cross of Jesus and then given freely to all who believed. No coins needed.

We all have been touched by the death of someone we love, someone close to us. Look at the windows in our church.. You know the names. Sometimes you even choose to sit in a different place…just so you can see the window that reminds you of a loved one. A saint now privileged to stand in the presence of Jesus.

I am reminded of the words of great hymn:

O blessed saints in bright array, Now safely home in endless day.

With palms they stand, who is this band before the throne of light.

These are the saints…..they sing their songs in endless light,

Praise the Lord, who with His word sustained them… on their earthly way…

“The Christian hope of heaven, the Christian hope of a resurrected body when Jesus returns, depends entirely upon the assumption that Jesus Christ died a physical death, vacated an actual grave, and ascended into heaven where He - at this moment - reigns as head of the church. The resurrection changed everything. If we embrace this promise, it changes our own eternity. (from The Applause of Heaven)

There will come a moment when we pass from this life to the next. No more struggle with the earth. No more shame before God. No more tension between people. No more death. This is our hope for tomorrow - but it can bring strength to us today. We have a promise from the living God that our death will be swallowed up in victory! Jesus Christ rose from the dead not just to show us His power but also to reveal our path. He will lead us through the valley of death.”..to our home.

“Your soul will immediately enter into the presence of God. You will enjoy conscious fellowship with the Father and those who have gone before. Your body will join you later. We believe this to be true because Jesus said to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” In Revelation 6 John tells us what he saw. When the Lamb opened the 5th seal I saw under the altar of God the souls of those who have been slain because of they held onto the word of God.”

“The soul of the believer journeys home, while the body of the believer awaits resurrection”. Paul reminds us: Read Philippians 3:20-21