‘For all the saints, who from their labours rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed: Alleluia! Alleluia!’ So begins the famous hymn for All Saints Day, which many of us may have sung in worship yesterday.
But what does that ‘rest’ look like? The second part of this glorious chapter in Revelation gives us the answer. Bear in mind that this vision was given to St John, to encourage believers who were being persecuted heavily for their faith – their lives were being referred to as ‘the great tribulation’ (v14). What did they have to look forward to? Would it all be worth it?
The answer is emphatically: YES! Not only will we be cleansed and made whole (v14), we will shelter in the very presence of God (v15). This God will provide for us as our great Good Shepherd (v17) – and note the extraordinary symbolism of the Lamb becoming the Shepherd! Most remarkably of all, the Lord himself ‘will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
Grief is something that nearly all of us have to face at some time in our lives. It is said that the price of real love is grief – and, even if that’s a price we pay willingly, it is no less real for that. But grief does not last forever: in heaven, in that place of eternal rest, our tears will be wiped away.
What good news this is for all who worship now with tear-stained faces: we will one day shelter in the presence of God, and ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ (Rev 21:4)
As we begin our week, may this word lift our hearts. And let’s pray, as verse 3 of that famous old hymn puts it: ‘O may thy servants, faithful true and bold, strive for thy kingdom as the saints of old, and win with them the glorious crown of gold: Alleluia! Alleluia!’ Amen.