All Saints Day. November 1st, Year A. Series

Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:22, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

A). A HEAVENLY SYMPHONY.

Revelation 7:9-17.

As in Revelation 5:11-14, the Lamb is the focus of the praises of the redeemed here in Revelation 7:9-10. We are presented with an innumerable number of worshippers, drawn from “every nation, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9). This numberless number - literally: “arithmetically impossible for anyone to number” waved their palms in adulation.

This is a great celebration - but these people had more to celebrate than a Roman triumph, or a modern sporting victory. It was like Palm Sunday all over again (cf. John 12:13) - but better, because there was no more Cross on the future horizon, either for our Lord, or for His followers. It was like the greeting of an Emperor - only better, because the One being worshipped is truly, and not feignedly, the source of our salvation (Revelation 7:10).

“Salvation belongs to Him who sits on the throne of our God, and to the Lamb,” sings the multi-ethnic crowd (Revelation 7:10). The responsorial returns to the angels and the elders and the four living creatures, who each one “fell on their face before the throne, and worshipped God” (Revelation 7:11). “Amen,” they cried, and repeated much of the wording of their earlier worship - but with the exception that ‘wealth’ (cf. Revelation 5:12) is replaced by “thanksgiving” = ‘Eucharist’ (Revelation 7:12).

One of the elders asked John a question, which he himself intended to answer: “Who are these, who are clothed with white robes, and where did they come from” (Revelation 7:13). The tour-guide identifies the believers who “have washed” (past tense) their robes as those who “are emerging” (present tense) from “the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14). Their robes are “made white in the blood of the Lamb” - see Genesis 49:10-11, and Isaiah 1:18.

1. Tribulation has been with us from the beginning (cf. Acts 14:22).

2. On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus - already assured of victory - said: “In the world you have (present tense) tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (cf. John 16:33).

3. John identified himself as “a fellow-partaker in the tribulation and in the kingdom and endurance of Jesus Christ” (cf. Revelation 1:9).

4.Salvation is promised to those who endure (cf. Matthew 24:13).

5. Eternal life is promised to those who overcome (cf. Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 3:5).

6. Martyrdom awaits some, as indicated at the opening of the fifth seal (cf. Revelation 6:9).

7. Tribulation has its fiercest manifestation as the assured victory draws near (cf. Mark 13:19).

This huge crowd before the throne of God “serve Him day and night in His Temple” (Revelation 7:15). As a result, the Lord literally “pitches His tent” amongst them. There are echoes here of John 1:14, without which there would be no heaven for any of us!

Revelation 7:16-17 echo Isaiah 49:10, which pictures the exiles returning from Babylon with much the same words, except that ‘He who has compassion’ is now identified as “the Lamb” (Revelation 7:17). Psalm 23:1-2 is brought into play in Revelation 7:17, except that it is the “Lamb at the centre of the throne” who is now the shepherd who “will lead them to living fountains of waters” (Revelation 7:17). These are the water-courses after which we have been panting (cf. Psalm 42:1-3) - but now, at last, the tears are wiped away from our eyes (cf. Isaiah 25:8).

B). O YE HIS SAINTS.

Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:22.

David was ‘on the run’ from king Saul. Mistakenly thinking that he might find refuge with the Philistines, he only escaped from their clutches by feigning madness (cf. 1 Samuel 21:10-15). Then he hid in a cave.

Knowing that David was in this place, his family came to encourage him. A company of some four hundred men in humbling circumstances also resorted to him (cf. 1 Samuel 22:1-2). The fugitive’s response was a combination of thanksgiving, witness, evangelism, and wisdom teaching (Psalm 34).

Psalm 34:1. For us to “bless the LORD” is to tell forth His goodness. What we say reflects Whose we are. What we speak about should reflect who we are in Him. To “bless the LORD” is to bow the knee in worship and praise.

The words which we speak effect our attitudes and behaviour. When we speak positively about the things of the LORD, good things can happen. The converse is also true: when we ‘speak up’ bad things, that is often just what we get! David determined that the praises of the LORD should constantly be in his mouth.

Psalm 34:2. The ‘sweet Psalmist of Israel’ sought to honour God in what amounted to a public act of praise. This Psalm is not addressed to the LORD, but to the congregation. They are “the humble”: the poor, the lowly, the weak, and the afflicted. “Those in distress, those in debt, and the discontented” (cf. 1 Samuel 22:2).