All Saints Day: The Church Triumphant and Militant

All Saints Day brings us face to face with both the ache of missing loved ones and the hope that is ours in Christ. The longing to see those who have gone before us is real, and yet, through the vision given to John in Revelation, we are offered a window into heaven itself. There, around the throne of the Lamb, is a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue—clothed in white, waving palm branches in victory, and singing praise. These are not only the martyrs, but all who have been washed in the blood of Christ. They are the church triumphant, gathered in joy, free from hunger, thirst, pain, and sorrow, under the eternal protection of God.

This vision is not just a comfort for the future, but a present reality that shapes our worship and our lives. The architecture of our church, with its incomplete rail and the cemetery just beyond, is a living reminder that the boundary between heaven and earth is thinner than we often realize. When we gather at the altar, we are not alone; we are joined with all the saints, with angels and archangels, in the presence of Christ. The same blood that cleanses and gives life to those in heaven is given to us here and now. Their present is our future, and their joy is the promise that sustains us as we continue our journey.

We are called the church militant, still struggling, still striving, but always moving toward Christ—and thus, always moving toward reunion with those we love who rest in Him. In the midst of tribulation, sorrow, and sin, we are invited to look through the window of Revelation, to see that our loved ones are safe, joyful, and at peace. Every time we gather, every time we open the Scriptures, we are reminded that heaven and earth meet in Christ, and that nothing—not even death—can separate us from His love or from the communion of saints. This is our hope, our comfort, and our calling: to live in the assurance that we are already, in Christ, together with all the saints, awaiting the day when every tear will be wiped away and we will see fully the forgiveness and love of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The vision of the saints in Revelation is not just a future hope, but a present reality that shapes our worship and our understanding of the church. When we gather around the altar, we are joined with all the saints in heaven, united in Christ beyond the limits of time and space. This unity is a profound comfort and a reminder that the church is both visible and invisible, militant and triumphant. [47:31]
• 2. The completeness and joy of the saints in heaven is rooted not in forgetting the pain of this world, but in fully grasping the forgiveness and love of God. In eternity, we will see as God sees, understanding how all things—even suffering—have worked together for good, and knowing with certainty that our sins are truly forgiven. This is the source of their unending joy and the promise that awaits us. [45:02]
• 3. The architecture and traditions of the church are intentional reminders of the communion of saints. The incomplete altar rail, the proximity of the cemetery, and the shape of the baptismal font all point to the reality that heaven and earth are joined in Christ. These physical signs invite us to see worship as a participation in the heavenly reality, not just a remembrance of the past. [46:18]
• 4. Our struggle as the church militant is not in vain, for the victory of the saints is already assured in Christ. Their present glory is our future hope, and their comfort is the promise that sustains us through tribulation. We are called to persevere, knowing that every act of faith brings us closer to the day when we will join them in the presence of the Lamb. [48:41]
• 5. The assurance of reunion with our loved ones in Christ is grounded in the faithfulness of God and the victory of the Lamb. Every time we open the Scriptures or gather in worship, we are given a glimpse of heaven and reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of God. This hope empowers us to live with courage, faith, and joy, even in the face of sorrow and loss. [49:22]
  ** [49:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [39:46] - The Longing to See Our Loved Ones
• [40:23] - The Lamb and the Scroll in Revelation
• [41:04] - The Multitude in White and Palm Branches
• [41:45] - Every Nation, Every Tribe, Every Tongue
• [42:27] - The Martyrs and the Church Triumphant
• [43:07] - Comfort in the Vision of Heaven
• [43:43] - What the Saints Are Doing Now
• [44:21] - The Fulfillment of Righteousness and Protection
• [45:02] - The Meaning of Every Tear Wiped Away
• [46:18] - The Church Militant and the Church Triumphant
• [46:56] - The Architecture of Communion
• [47:31] - The Incomplete Rail: A Window into Heaven
• [48:05] - Worship Unites Heaven and Earth
• [48:41] - Our Struggle and Their Glory
• [49:22] - Hope in the Midst of Tribulation
• [50:06] - Prayers for the Saints and the Church
• [53:56] - Doxology and Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Revelation 7:9-17 (ESV) — 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”
14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Observation Questions

1. In John’s vision in Revelation, what are the saints doing around the throne, and how are they described? (clothed in white, holding palm branches, worshiping) [41:04]
2. According to the sermon, who makes up the “great multitude” that John sees in heaven? [42:27]
3. What does the sermon say about the relationship between the church on earth (“church militant”) and the saints in heaven (“church triumphant”)? [46:18]
4. What physical features of the church building are mentioned as reminders of the connection between heaven and earth? [47:31]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that the saints’ joy in heaven comes from fully grasping God’s forgiveness and love. Why might it be hard for us to fully grasp this now, and how does that affect our daily lives? [45:02]
2. The incomplete altar rail and the cemetery just outside are described as intentional reminders of the communion of saints. How might these physical reminders change the way someone thinks about worship and the presence of loved ones who have died in Christ? [47:31]
3. The preacher says that when we gather at the altar, we are joined with all the saints, with angels and archangels, in the presence of Christ. What does this mean for how we view worship and the Lord’s Supper? [48:05]
4. The vision in Revelation is described as both a comfort for the future and a present reality. How can this vision shape the way we handle grief, loss, or the longing to see loved ones again? [49:22]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about the “ache” of missing loved ones and the hope we have in Christ. Is there someone you especially miss? How does the vision of the saints in Revelation give you comfort or change the way you grieve? [39:46]
2. The preacher says that every time we gather for worship, we are joined with all the saints in heaven. How might this truth change the way you approach Sunday worship or communion? Is there something you want to do differently next time you come to church? [48:05]
3. The architecture of the church—like the incomplete altar rail and the cemetery—are meant to remind us that heaven and earth are joined in Christ. Are there any physical reminders in your life or home that help you remember God’s promises? If not, what could you add? [47:31]
4. The saints in heaven are described as being free from hunger, thirst, pain, and sorrow, and as being filled with joy. When you face struggles or pain, how can you remind yourself of the future hope and comfort that is promised in Christ? [44:21]
5. The sermon calls us the “church militant,” still struggling and striving, but always moving toward Christ and reunion with those we love. What is one area of your life where you feel like you are “struggling” right now? How can the hope of being united with Christ and the saints encourage you to keep going? [48:41]
6. The preacher says that every time we open the Scriptures, we are reminded that heaven and earth meet in Christ, and that nothing can separate us from His love. Is there a specific Bible verse or promise that helps you remember this truth when you feel alone or discouraged? [49:22]
7. The saints’ joy is rooted in knowing their sins are truly forgiven. Is there a sin or regret that you have trouble believing is really forgiven? How can you bring that to God and trust in His complete forgiveness? [45:02]