Saints in Heaven - Revelation 7:9-11

Judy Matthis, my good friend and one of the original Daily Bible Blast writers, wrote on the topic of All Saint's Day back in 2010. With her permission, I am posting it here today. Judy is wonderful writer who has a heart for Scripture...

How would you describe heaven?

John has seen a vision of heaven and tries to put into words what he saw. He saw people from all over the world standing before the throne and in front of God. There were so many that they couldn't be counted. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They joined the angels in worshipping God in loud voices, "Amen! Praise, glory, and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever! Amen!" (v 12)

John says the people had experienced terrible persecution on earth. They had experienced pain, suffering, hunger, thirst, and catastrophes. As they gather around the throne of God, they experience joy, because He will lead them and "wipe away every tear from their eyes." (v 17b)

We celebrate All Saints day this Sunday. It is a time to think about the joy of heaven and our loved ones who are there. It is also a good time to think about our relationship with Jesus. Have you committed your whole life to Christ’s care and control? If not, it’s a good time to consider it.

We don’t know what is beyond this life on earth. We do know that God has made the hope of heaven a reality for us through His Son Jesus Christ. God has promised that all who believe in Him and commit to Him will have eternal life. We’ll have the joy of entering heaven and worshipping at the throne of God. He’ll welcome us when we leave this life. Isn’t that awesome!

Read today's text on Biblegateway.

All Saints' Day focus - Revelation 21:22-22:6

Saints in Heaven

It is all coming together now.  As we anticipate an All Saint’s Day celebration tomorrow, these words bring into focus everything we have heard in Scripture.  All the stories of the struggles of God’s people, the tales of the lengthy trips His people endured from bondage to freedom; have come to pass.

It will not be necessary build temples because God is the Temple and we reside with Him.  No longer will we need to turn on a light to see the path ahead of us for God gives off more light than the sun, the Lamb is the Lamp.  Yes, it is all coming together now.

Revelation 21:22-27 (NIV)
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.  The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

We talked earlier in the week about the fact our loved ones who have died and are now with Jesus would not chose to return to our side.  Why would they when they are at Jesus’ side?  All they have worked for, dreamed and prayed about is now theirs.  Their name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

We might shed a tear of sadness tomorrow as we remember, but there are no more tears for them, it has all come together. 

Read Revelation 21:22-22:6 here

Listen to Revelation 21:22-22:6 here

Isaiah 35:1-10

If you need a pickup, a bright outlook for tomorrow, read the Isaiah text slated for today.  It is filled with the promise of a bright future with God, overflowing with pictures of bounty and fabulous harvests.  Places that were once barren, dry and desolate will become fertile and lush with colorful foliage.  If I were an artist I would paint a picture and share with everyone I knew.

But, guess what?  We are all artists of sorts.  We have all been gifted with special skills and talents.  If you gift is with a paint brush then get out your brushes and your canvas and record with color.  If your area of expertise is with words, then tell the story.  Share with someone what God has done for you and use this scripture as proof of the majesty yet to come.  Here are just a few of the promises:

• the wilderness will rejoice and blossom
• The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
• Strengthen the feeble hands
• steady the knees that give way
• Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

This week, as we approach All Saints Sunday and give ourselves a few moments to ponder those who have gone ahead of us this past year, imagine they are experiencing this splendor already.  They no longer struggle with bodies that are broken.  They feel no pain or heartache.  They have been set free and as much as I wanted things to be different at this moment in time, I know God's plan is perfect.  For now that is good enough for me.

Read the Isaiah 35:1-10 text here.  Listen to the text here.

All Saints' Day - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Death is usually the last thing we want to talk about; it makes us feel uncomfortable. And yet, we can't walk away from the reality of death.

In 4:14, Paul says we can have hope in our resurrection after death, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep [died] in Him [Jesus].” It's clear that those who have died believing in Jesus will return with Him.

Paul says we can be confident that Christ will come for us. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (v 17) The return of Jesus Christ is sure. We'll be reunited with Him and with our loved ones, who believe, forever.

Paul teaches the Thessalonian believers about the hope surrounding their brothers and sisters who have died before Christ's return. He doesn't want them to grieve as people without hope.

Where is your hope? If it’s not in Jesus Christ, you're without hope. You may have happiness, but you don't have hope. There's no hope apart from Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ offers you eternal life as a free gift if you believe in Him and ask Him for it.

Paul tells us to share these words with each other. Encourage one another with the hope of our future resurrection and reunion with Christ and our loved ones.

May this hope be yours, today, on All Saints Day.

Read today's text on Biblegateway.