Commemorating the Saints
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Is 35:10)
Finally, the end has come: the end of their campus life – they are soon graduating, the end of the year – we’ll soon be at Christmas, the end of a sabbatical leave that looked so long, the end of the tough season at work – that nasty boss has been transferred, the end of your crying after that heartbreak – thank God you’ve found real love this time, the end of the first fifty years – the Jubilee celebrations were fabulous. There are many times we celebrate the end of a season, and such celebrations are in order. Yet the ultimate end still lingers, but will surely come, and come as the ultimate celebration for the saints. Prophet Isaiah paints a blissful picture of that season, which will be filled with singing, everlasting joy and gladness.
Who are the saints? There are four possible definitions, but our interest is in the Biblical meaning. Commonly, a saint is a very virtuous, kind, or patient person. A saint is also a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith as being in heaven after death. The third usage of ‘Saint’ is as a title given to a person who has received an official honour from the Christian, especially the Roman Catholic, Church for having lived in a good and holy way. But for the numerous times the word ‘saints’ is used in the Bible, it refers to the company of God’s people, set apart by God as His own – hence to be a saint is not directly and primarily to be good, though the godly and holy character ought inevitably and immediately to result.
This company of God’s people comprises the saints still living here on earth, and the saints that have gone ahead to the glorious paradise. Some were bishops and others lay people; some were princes and others common; some lived very long while others passed on early; consequently, some are prominently known but majority are known by very few. We thank God for their lives; we are encouraged by their witness and testimony; at the ultimate celebration we look forward to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.
Think about how it will be for you at the very end, which is the end indeed – the end of the rope which is the end of the hope. Isaiah warns regarding the road the Saints travel to the party: “The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it” (Is 35:8). In embracing the love of God and receiving salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, you join this company of God’s people, the saints. Let us be encouraged by God’s sure promises and the testimonies of the saints gone before, to walk steadfastly and reach the ultimate celebration of life everlasting.
God bless you all.