"Who Are These, Robed in White?"
A blessed All Saints Day to you. Today we celebrate the fact that God's kingdom, here and in eternity, encompasses a great multitude of believers. Sinners who are made clean and holy in the blood of Christ. At that is the definition of a saint – a holy one. Lutherans are fond of the phrase, “sinners and saints” - that is, deriving from the Latin phrase, “simul justus et peccator”, simultaneously sinners and saints. That's here and now, in this fallen world, this vale of tears. We struggle with the flesh. We sin daily, and much. And while God sees us as righteous through Christ, even as holy – as saints – we have a hard time seeing it.
But St. John saw a vision – which he wrote down for us as the book of Revelation. And part of that vision is this scene from chapter 7 – the great multitude in white. As we look at the text closely, we get a beautiful picture of the church in her glory, and really, a glimpse of our own future. Let's ask and answer two main questions then, this morning, concerning the great multitude: Who are they? And what is it like for them?
Who are they? They are Us.
Who are these, robed in white? They are many – from all tribes and peoples and nations and languages: Texans and Yankees. Jews and Palestinians. Nigerians, Indians, Pakistanis, Australian Aborigines. Celts and Romans, Egyptians, Syrians and Singaporeans... and on and on and on. They speak English and Chinese and Pidgin and Swahili and on and on and on. Pentecost was a foreshadowing of this great multi-lingual, multi-national gathering.
You want to talk diversity? You want to talk universality? Equality for all? Here, before the throne of the Lamb, the church in her glory does what no government quotas or human initiatives could do – it brings together people from all these different origins – and makes them one in Christ.
Who are these, robed in white? They are from all times and places – they are the ancients and the moderns, they are the then and the now and those who are not even yet here. Your forefathers in the faith are there in that crowd. And the people who will believe who are yet unborn. And you. Look closely enough into the faces of that crowd and you will see yourself, believer. You'll also see the joyous faces of those you love who have died in the faith. Friends, family, church members. Those for whom the bells toll today, and all who have died in Christ and rest from their labors. On that day, in that great assembly, we are finally reunited. And yet this is only part of the joy.
Who are these, robed in white? They are clothed in Christ – washed in the blood. Their robes are washed because they were once stained and soiled in sin. They carried through life the filthy rags of a fallen flesh. You and I know the stench well. But sin has corrupted not just the outer garments, but our very nature. The heart is a fouled spring, and out of it comes all sorts of wickedness. And it's not just the things you do that add more stench and soil, it's the very nature you are born with. It goes back to Adam and Eve, who tried to cover their sin with fig leaves.
But now they are washed, washed clean, clean in the blood of the Lamb. Normally if you get blood on your clothes that's just another way to soil them. But this blood, this holy precious blood and this innocent suffering and death – they are cleansing of all sin, spot and stain. The blood of Jesus, shed at the cross, washes away sin as nothing else can.
Who are these, robed in white? They also share in the victory of Christ. The Lamb that was slain, but is now alive. The one who wins the day, destroys the forces of evil, and even death itself lies in ruin. Christ, risen from the dead, tramples all his foes and takes his rightful place in glory, seated with the Father. He is the Lamb who once was slain, but is alive forevermore. He is the Lamb who is at the center of the throne of God, there receiving the same praises. But who are they? They are with him. He's their champion. They are his people. He won the victory for them, that they might share in the spoils. And so they wave the palm branches in celebration. This is like the ticker-tape parade after a super bowl winning team comes back to town, or at the end of a world-war with all the soldiers returning home – but only better. For now, eternal peace begins. Now, all is well, forever.
Who are these, robed in white? They are the glorified church in song. They sing God's praises. They sing of the worthiness of the Lamb. They sing of his blessing, honor, glory and might. They sing along with the angels in a never-ending chorus of praises. This is no funeral dirge, it is a song fitting for the occasion – a victory song, a hymn of thanks and praise.
Who are these, robed in white? They are with God, in his presence, before his throne. They are therefore, by definition, in glory.
Who are these, robed in white, and where do they come from? They are those coming out of the great tribulation. That is to say, they are those who have run their course on earth in faith – with all of its ups and downs, all of its challenges and temptations, all of the griefs and pains, sorrows and sickness and persecution. All the trials are now behind them. They have come through it, and now they are here. This is the end of the story. And it is a very happy ending.
Who are these, robed in white? They are the church in her glory. They are the people of God. They are the faithful of the Old Testament. They are the believers of the early church and the middle ages and of modern times. They are your ancestors who believed in Christ, and they are your loved ones who have died in the faith. They are you and me. And they are all believers who will follow us, up until the last day and the fulfillment of all things.
What is it like for them? It is good. Just look at the benefits the church in glory enjoys:
Sheltered – they find their shelter in him who sits on the throne. Can there be any more secure dwelling than the presence of God himself? An earthly shelter protects you from what is outside – wind, rain, and cold. Robber and predator. But this is like no earthly shelter. No big bad wolf can blow it down. No time or termite can deteriorate these walls. No leak in the roof. They are sheltered by the presence of God. He is with them. He protects them. And they shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
No hunger or thirst – The wants of this life, anything that they might lack, even the most basic needs of food and drink – there, in that eternal shelter, the Lord provides eternally. The table is prepared for them, and the feasting never ends. They are always filled. They are never lacking. No needs, no wants, just the perfect provision of the king.
No scorching heat- The scorching noonday sun is here a marker for all that would make us suffer in this life. The toils and troubles of the day. The aches and pains of the body. The heartaches and sorrows of the spirit. The sun is relentless in its scorching heat, and it does not rest when you've had enough. Neither do the woes of this world seem to let up, but each day has enough trouble of its own. But not there. Not in the shelter of the king. Not for this great multitude that have washed their robes. The scorching heat is over. The troubles of life under sin are a distant memory.
Shepherded by the Lamb – they are not lost, they will never wander. They are always, always in the care of the Good Shepherd, who is also the Lamb of God, namely, Jesus. And he who cares for the least of the sheep in his fold, will never let even one be snatched from his hand. He will lead them beside streams of still waters, to green pastures, and they shall not want.
Tears wiped away – and perhaps one of the most tender and dear pictures of the bliss that is heaven, one of the best promises of God for his people, is this intimate picture: that God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Like a loving parent that kisses a child's boo-boo. Like a warm embrace of that good friend who always knows just what to say. Like the comforting and strong presence of your go-to support in this life, but far, far more. That the God who created the earth and sea and all that is in them, that commanded the stars into existence and set them in all their precise and orderly motion. Who designed the multitude of life in all its variety. Who commands all the armies of heaven and knows all things. That this God would regard even you, stoop to comfort you, and wipe that tear, and every tear, from your eye. It is no small comfort.
But remember, this is the same God who sends us Jesus. And the same Jesus who suffers all, even death on a cross, for us. How will God, who spared not his own son, how will he not also do all of this for his people?
For we cannot consider the saints, the holy ones, without the Holy One of God. There would be no saints, no church, no white-robed celebration were it not for the one who was stripped and beaten and crucified for us, who shed his blood to cleanse our robes. Who gave his life over to death, so that death can have no hold on us. Who rose victorious and lives forever, to bring us that same victory, and is even now, preparing a place for us in that great multitude. Thanks be to him, for all the saints, who from their labors rest. And thanks be to him, who will welcome us there, to paradise the blest. Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.
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