Sermon Notes:

“WHO ARE THESE LIKE STARS APPEARING?”
Revelation 7:2-4 & 9-17
November 5, 2006
The Solemnity of All Saints Day

Introduction.
Today we continue our celebration of those who “have run the race with patience” and now worship around the Throne of God in Heaven.  The Festival of All Saints is of ancient origin, originally celebrating all those martyrs who lost their lives for the Christian faith. According to our Book of Common Prayer, the celebration lasts for an entire week.  In our epistle lesson we are confronted with four questions:

I.  WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE TO WHOM SAINT JOHN REFERS?
They are the “sealed of God.”  That is, they belong to Christ and are sealed as a mark of God’s ownership and protection.  II Timothy 2:19.  The winds in VS1 represent ruin and destruction.  The woes in VS 2 represent the punishments for the unbelieving.  The 144,000 is used symbolically to represent the all those from Adam until the second coming who have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior…All Saints. 

II.  WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Vs.9b.  They are before the Throne and in front of the Lamb.  Christ has made them victorious and brought them safe through life’s trials and afflictions to the Throne of God.  John 6:39.

III.  WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE DOING?
Vss. 9c-12.  Rejoicing  before the Throne and praising their Redeemer.  The angels are there, as well as the four living creatures.  They all sing “salvation belongs to our God.” 

IV.  HOW ARE THESE PEOPLE LIVING?
Vss. 15-17.  Here we read of life in heaven.  A life of unwearied service (15a;, unbounded security (15b-16); unblemished satisfaction (16-17).  We shall serve Him day and night in His Temple, before the Throne.   This is a place where no harm will come near us or cause us to be afraid, no trouble will be sin sight, no sins will rise to torment us,  no suffering will plague us.   Rather, the Glory of the Lamb will shine on us.  We will enjoy God’s provision through the Lamb of God who will be our Shepherd.  And as our Shepherd, He will supply our every need, leading us to “springs of living water.” 

Are you numbered among the Saints of God today?  Have you been washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?