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“The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest; Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
“But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day: The saints triumphant rise in bright array; The King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia! Alleluia!
“From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost: Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Although it can be difficult to know just what to say, people attending a funeral or memorial service may express their sympathy with comments, such as “We know he is in heaven with Jesus” or “She is free from pain now.” Those who are laid to rest may be remembered for their love and service and their faith in Christ. We may not often hear them described as “faithful warriors.” Yet that is how our hymn describes those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. They are faithful warriors whom the Lord has called from the “Church Militant,” the fighting church, into the “Church Triumphant,” that is, the church in glory.
For these steadfast soldiers of Christ, their days of earthly warfare against sin and Satan have come to an end. For them, the “golden evening” has come and they enjoy the sweet calm of paradise in the presence of Jesus. As other verses of our hymn remind us, their Lord had always been present with them as their “Captain” in the fight, but now they live in the glory of His eternal presence. In the power of the Holy Spirit, these warriors remained steadfast in the faith into which they were baptized. They trusted the Savior who laid down His life and rose from death to save them. Now they rejoice in His victory, but this is not the end of the story. Our hymn announces that there is so much more to come, for them and for us: “But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day!” Something even more glorious is coming!
Members of a nation’s armed forces will rise and stand at attention when a commanding officer enters the room. Our hymn describes something similar concerning the faithful warriors who have been laid to rest. When Jesus returns on the Last Day, believers who have fallen asleep in faith in Him will rise from death, soul and body reunited, to welcome their King. Faithful warriors will rise in the “bright array” of glorified, immortal bodies, dressed in the shining righteousness of Christ Jesus. The countless host, the faithful believers of every time and place, will stream like a victorious army into the presence of God. In the newly created heavens and earth, we will praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Triune God who created us, redeemed us, and kept us in the one true faith. On that more glorious day, we will continue the praise we are already singing today: Alleluia! Alleluia!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to follow the example of faithful warriors who now enjoy the blessed rest of paradise. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “For All the Saints,” which is number 677 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
- The reality of our mortality increases as we age. Have your views of death changed over time?
- How do the terms “Church Militant” and “Church Triumphant” differ in definition?
- Why is death something we no longer have to fear? (See Romans 6:23; Isaiah 25:8; John 3:16; and 2 Corinthians 5:17 for the comfort we have in the eternal victory of Christ Jesus.)
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