11/5/2023 All Saints’ Day

THE CHRISTIAN WAITS

In his gospel, Matthew has a fivefold emphasis on the world not knowing when the Son of Man will come again (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44, 50; 25:13). The Christian waits for the second coming with eager anticipation and with knowledge that informs our life in the end time.

  • November 5 (All Saints’ Day): Focused on Future Glory

  • November 12 (Proper 27): Watchful for the Bridegroom

  • November 19 (Proper 28): Faithful for the Master

  • November 26 (Last Sunday of the Church Year): Hopeful for the Coming Judgment.

ALL SAINTS' DAY: FOCUSED ON FUTURE GLORY

In November 1940, the city of Coventry in England was bombed by the Nazis. The town was destroyed, and the centuries-old Cathedral took two direct hits and was reduced to rubble. In the aftermath of the war, the church made an interesting decision. They left the ruins of their cathedral in place. They cleaned up the rubble, but they didn't tear down the stones that remained standing. They left the broken walls in place and then built their new church right next to it.

When they built the new cathedral, they installed a huge glass wall. Etched into the glass are large figures, 4 feet wide and 10 feet tall – images of saints and angels rejoicing in heaven. Why a wall of clear glass? Because outside that wall of glass stands the ruins of the old cathedral. As you look through the glass, you see what remains of the bombed-out church. Those ruins are a picture of the broken world in which we live. But to see the ruins, you must look through the glass that is etched with images of saints and angels. You cannot see the rubble except in the light of the promise of heaven.

On this day we remember the status we have as saints of God even here on earth, and we focus our attention on the future glory that waits for us– the glory enjoyed by every saint who has gone on before us.

God bless your worship.

Pastor David Clark will preach on Revelation 7:9-17 "Who Are These Dressed In White?"

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Leigh Webster