“Numbers of Hope-144 000” (Revelation 7:4; 14:1)

S-1487 6MIL/3B 3/25/2015 Hymns: (O) #140 vv 4-6; (S) #370; (C) #144

Texts: Psalm 33:13-22; Galatians 3:23-29; Revelation 7:4, 9-17; 14:1

Theme: “Numbers of Hope-144 000” (Revelation 7:4; 14:1)

6^th sermon in sermon series on “Numbers of Hope”

Question: How can you be certain you are part of the 144,000

And I heard the number of the SEALED, 144,000, SEALED from every tribe of the sons of Israel. (Revelation 7:4)

Dear sons of Israel, sons of God, sons through the merits of Jesus by way of the cosmic miracle of holy baptism. If you are a son of God, you are part of the 144,000 that Saint John writes about! And, you ARE all sons of God says St. Paul through faith in Christ and Holy Baptism.

Precious, precious children of the heavenly Father, if you leave the cross out, you have nothing. Without the cross of Jesus Christ—we have no hope, no help and no heaven. Without Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, this book we hold sacred is nothing but the biggest lie and sham the world has ever known. Without the cross and empty tomb the church becomes nothing more than a country club without the golf course and swimming pool.

But the eternal Word of Jesus is our anchor, comfort and hope. The promises of Jesus confer on us the gift of Baptism, which makes us holy unto the Lord; clothed with the white garment of salvation, purchased by the blood of the Lamb—HIS sons forever. This is why with great joy, the Holy Spirit in haste leads us to come here, to hear Jesus give us hope, help and heaven. This is the place where your hearts are comforted, your souls are soothed and your minds are at peace.

Sadly, that is not always the case. Let me sight an example. A Lutheran gentleman went to the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall for the funeral of his friend and neighbor—Fred. The anti-gospel pastor who was preaching the funeral began with these words: “We can be certain that Fred didn’t make it to the highest level of heaven, because he is not part of the 144,000 since they have been sealed.” How would you like to be sitting in that funeral and hear these words? Where is the comfort? Where is the hope? Where is the help in the hour of sorrow? Isn’t that sad? How cruel. I am sure the devil enjoyed that sermon but the holy angels likely wept.

If that is not bad enough, consider this. A Jehovah Witness couple (husband/wife) visited my colleague, Peter Kurowski. The conversation centered about the 144,000. The man was telling Pastor Pete, “You have no hope or help in making it to heaven, because you are not part of this multitude.” My friend Peter smiled, looked at his wife and said to her, “I am so sorry that you too will not make it to heaven, since you are a woman. According to the teachings of Jehovah Witnesses only men are part of the 144,000”. The woman with anger in her eyes and veins bulging in her neck looked at her husband and said, “You never told me that I can’t be part of 144, 000, and can’t be in heaven!” They walked out of the office arguing. PAUSE.

But thank God we have His promise that we are part of the 144,000—part of the unnumbered number of people from every nation, tribe, language and people. Thank God that Jesus gives us the certainty we will be with Him in heaven. As He spoke to the thief on the cross saying, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise!” My spiritual father, Dr. Louis Brighton speaking on these number states: “The Lord knows those who belong to him. That is, the Christian can be absolutely certain {emphasis mine} and sure of his salvation and faith because it rests on the truth of God’s Word and God’s seal within that Word: ‘The Lord knows who are his.’” (Revelation, Concordia Commentary, CPH p. 185).

Oh, the joy that fills our hearts of this certainty. We know we belong to Him and have been marked on our foreheads. We have been marked with the splash of water and the Word of promise: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” By that cosmic miracle we become sons of the living God. We are part of this number of throng. We can be certain of it. We have hope in the midst of hopelessness. We have help in the midst of helplessness and we have heaven because of Christ’s death and resurrection.

These are not pie in the sky words flying out of the wild visions of a small-town gospel preacher. These words are true and real because the Holy Spirit inspired John on the Island of Patmos to write them for all of the sons of Israel—believes in Yeshua of every age—including you and me. PAUSE.

Sons of God, here is the key question that the Holy Spirit will guide us in answering on this final midweek Divine Worship Service. How do we know whether to take the 144,000 as literal or figurative? How do we unlock this profound question?

We do it by going to an ancient principle of Biblical interpretation: Scripture interprets Scripture. Scripture is its own interpreter. As a rule we will attempt to take every passage literal except when Scripture elsewhere forces us to take a given passage figuratively.

John the apostle in this section gives a clear indication that the 144,000 is not to be taken literally. After speaking about the 144,000 sealed from every tribe of Israel he gives us more details. Five verses later he describes this number in this manner: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!’” (Rev. 7:9-10)

In typical Hebrew poetry style, John speaks of the 144,000 Israelites. Then in parallel fashion he describes them as a great multitude and number that no one could number—they are the unnumbered number. In the Old Testament alone you had 2 million Israelite slaves who went through the Red Sea and today in the world you have over 2 billion people who confess that Jesus is Lord. This does not even begin to take into account the millions upon millions of people in the days of the flood that believed in the coming Savior—before the great apostasy that took place just prior to the flood.

The point: John makes abundantly clear that the 144,000 is a number no one can count. We are talking billions of believers throughout the ages. And John later defines those who are part of this huge number as those who follow the Lamb, the Lamb who in chapter five IS worshipped by all believers in heaven. All over the place John defines these figurative phrases if we just read this book like it is meant to be—Hebrew parallel poetry.

Oh, the tender care and mercy this Sacred book offers us. Oh, the joy we have as we hear, read, mark and learn the Sacred Scripture that reveal to us the Lamb who would be crucified for us on Calvary’s cross and rise again to give us eternal hope. For only the gospel helps us to see clearly the love of God for all people be they male or female, slave or free, Jew or Gentile. No other religion lifts women up as much as the Bible and what Jesus did for them as well as children as well as outcasts bringing them into the 144,000 by grace through faith.

In short, the 144,000 is a number of the 12 tribes x 12 Disciples x 1,000. (12x12 is 144 to the 10^th degree). That 1,000, is a number that symbolizes completeness. Twelve is the number of followers of Messiah Jesus completed! Clearly, powerfully, wonderfully, amazingly and eternally, the Bible teaches that being a member of Israel is by grace not race, by faith not force, through trust in the Lamb not sacrificing human lambs.

Fellow members of the 144,000, baptized Israelites, descendants of Abraham, citizens of a vast number that no man can number, rejoice! You have heard the voice “believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!” You are part of a countless host worshipping Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Rejoice galore as part of the 144...thousand, millions, billions! In the name of Jesus—the faithful Lamb, and God’s people said: Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“A Little Bit of Heaven!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

This sermon was preached at the Small Town Rural Ministry in Kansas City, Mo

S-1388 All Saints Day/3C11/01/13 Hymns LSB(O) #510; (S) #677; LS. #554; #678; #676; (C) #770

Text: Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

Theme: “A Little Bit of Heaven!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

RSTM National Conference Kansas City, Kansas

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for All Saints Day is a portion of the Epistle lesson: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen, cherished, loved and adored in His sight and mine; in April of 2008, I was privileged to travel on behalf of the South Dakota District to Detroit, MI., for The Friendship of Jesus and Muslims Conference. After I arrived in my hotel I went to register for the conference. What a day that was. There were over 188 people registered for this conference. There were many Synodical representatives, along with the Mission Board, and the POBLO (People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach) servants of Detroit.

As the evening waned I felt I was experiencing heaven on earth and the fulfillment of Revelation 7, which states: “After this I saw a large number of people that no one could count, from all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and the Lamb, dressed in white garments and holding in their hands palm branches.” (Rev. 7:9). This day to me was a mini Pentecost, a microcosm of eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a moment in time when I literally saw a glimpse of heaven before my very own eyes. At the evening banquet there were Muslim converts to the Christian faith, from these different nations—Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan, Kosovo. Tears ran down my cheeks, as I sat at the conference and heard of the power of the Gospel in the lives of these people who have come to KNOW Jesus as the FRIEND of sinners. They spoke of the freedom of being burdened to earn God’s favor, or not certain of their salvation. They rejoiced when they came to know that their friends introduced them to the True Friend, Jesus Christ who won their freedom by the shedding of His blood on the cross. They spoke of the joy that filled their hearts because they knew this love that they have never experienced in the Muslim religion.

This is the scene here in our reading for this All Saints Day. It is righty called Saints Day, because these are the Saints that St. John on the Island of Patmos declares he saw. And what he saw is an amazing sight. Can you envision the sight?

It will be a beauty to behold. There will be billions of believers—a huge heavenly crowd far too great for any human eye to count. People from all nations and tribes, all races and languages will be there. These saints who have gone through any number of great tribulations, martyrdoms, persecutions, violent deaths and violent crimes, painful surgeries, setbacks, sorrow supreme, and Pauline perils will be perfectly united. They will be standing, dressed in white robes, waving palm branches, singing a heavenly salvation by grace song. They will be singing this heavenly hymn before the Throne of the Father and the Throne of the Lamb, heartily sing:

Salvation to our God on His Throne!

Salvation is from the Lamb, the eternal I Am!

This is a marvelous picture to behold and reflect on. All Saints Day helps us to think of those loved one who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb and have gone ahead of us to be with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us on that cruel and cursed tree. PAUSE.

On this day, let me remind you that you are precious in the sight of the Lord, you are loved, you are adored and you are blood-bought by the precious blood of the innocent Lamb—Jesus the Friend of sinners. And because of what the Savior has done for us, we have become saints—holy unto the Lord, washed from every stain of sin, and live under His grace now and look forward to the day we will be numbered among the throngs waiving our Palm branches with other saints from other places, and peoples and nations.

In order to be wholesome leaven we need a little bit of heaven—to enter our heart so that we can impart salt and light, love and life, help and hope to those who don’t know the Savior as their FRIEND.

The paradox here is that this little bit of heaven is quite a bit of heaven, even now. The often quoted, or should I say misquoted 1 Cor. 2:9 is speaking of how even now the Lord has blessed us with gargantuan gospel lifts. For example, we have been blessed with the gift of sainthood. Holiness, righteousness, sainthood are genuine gifts we have even now. Very few Christians grasp such a great gift as this.

In Romans 8 it declares we are already glorified. Paul uses a Greek tense to emphasize how much of the glory of God that has already come to us. A little bit of heaven turns out to be a lot of heaven even now, when we consider the rich resurrection realities that are already ours. Even now Jesus dwells within us as God and man. Even now The Holy Spirit has made us His temple. Even now we are incorporated into the body of Christ. Even now we are already saints. Even now we receive the very body and blood of the Savior. Even now holy angels surround us. We also sojourn through life knowing that God is working everything together for the good of the church—everything. We have been sanctified through the Word via our second birth—baptism. A little bit of heaven comes to us big time every time we receive Christ’s true body and blood.

This little bit of heaven, or more accurately a lot of heaven is yours today, because of Jesus our true Lamb who suffered our punishment. This little bit of heaven is yours not because of heritage, inheritance, position or possessions, but simply because someone washed you clean. Someone loved you enough to die for you on the cross (if there is a cross turn and point to it). On that cruel instrument, you and I have been made saints by your FRIEND and mine—Jesus the Christ—OUR ONLY SAVIOR. PAUSE.

At the Conference in Detroit, we were reminded that 90% of all who come to church come because of a friend who has invited them or told them about Jesus. Many of the Muslim converts spoke of the friend who cared and spoke about this Jesus who loved them by dying their death and rose again to give them life and salvation. One friend cared. One friend shared, and one friend told the truth that apart from Jesus Christ there is no salvation (Acts 4:12).

I further learned that in (2008) there were 350.000 Muslims who have gone through the on-line course provided by The Lutheran Hour Ministries about Christianity. What a blessing to witness and to behold how our Church body is reaching out in the name of the Friend of sinners to others, especially to the Muslims.

I like to inform you that there were 23 nations represented at the Conference. Here are the nations: Jordan, Syria, Togo, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Ireland/Scotland, Russia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, India, Philippines, Malaysia, and USA. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN FOR SURE.

What a blessing to have attended this conference. What a blessing to have heard former enemies of the Cross speak of their FRIEND Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. What a blessing to know that our church body is reaching out to others in the name of Jesus Christ.

On this All Saints Day, I encourage you to remain steadfast in the faith that is yours. And remember this little bit of heaven is a lot of heaven for today and forever. And soon, very, very soon, we, ALL BELIEVERS will be before the Throne and the Lamb shouting and saying: ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“A Little Bit of Heaven!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

S-1272 All Saints Day/3C11/06/11 Hymns TLH(O) #656; (S) #457; (C) #360

Text: Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

Theme: “A Little Bit of Heaven!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

Main Street Living TV. Taped in Sioux Falls and will be aired on November 6, 2011

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for All Saints Day is a portion of the Epistle lesson: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen, cherished, loved and adored in His sight and mine; in April of 2008, I was privileged to travel on behalf of the South Dakota District to Detroit, MI., for The Friendship of Jesus and Muslims Conference. After I arrived in my hotel I went to register for the conference. What a day that was. There were over 188 people registered for this conference. There were many Synodical representatives, along with the Mission Board, and the POBLO (People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach) servants of Detroit.

As the evening waned I felt I was experiencing heaven on earth and the fulfillment of Revelation 7, which states: “After this I saw a large number of people that no one could count, from all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and the Lamb, dressed in white garments and holding in their hands palm branches.” (Rev. 7:9). This day to me was a mini Pentecost, a microcosm of eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a moment in time when I literally saw a glimpse of heaven before my very own eyes. At the evening banquet there were Muslim converts to the Christian faith, from these different nations—Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan, Kosovo. Tears ran down my cheeks, as I sat at the conference and heard of the power of the Gospel in the lives of these people who have come to KNOW Jesus as the FRIEND of sinners. They spoke of the freedom of being burdened to earn God’s favor, or not certain of their salvation. They rejoiced when they came to know that their friends introduced them to the True Friend, Jesus Christ who won their freedom by the shedding of His blood on the cross. They spoke of the joy that filled their hearts because they knew this love that they have never experienced in the Muslim religion.

This is the scene here in our reading for this All Saints Day. It is righty called Saints Day, because these are the Saints that St. John on the Island of Patmos declares he saw. And what he saw is an amazing sight. Can you envision the sight?

It will be a beauty to behold. There will be billions of believers—a huge heavenly crowd far too great for any human eye to count. People from all nations and tribes, all races and languages will be there. These saints who have gone through any number of great tribulations, martyrdoms, persecutions, violent deaths and violent crimes, painful surgeries, setbacks, sorrow supreme, and Pauline perils will be perfectly united. They will be standing, dressed in white robes, waving palm branches, singing a heavenly salvation by grace song. They will be singing this heavenly hymn before the Throne of the Father and the Throne of the Lamb, heartily sing:

Salvation to our God on His Throne!

Salvation is from the Lamb, the eternal I Am!

This is a marvelous picture to behold and reflect on. All Saints Day helps us to think of those loved one who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb and have gone ahead of us to be with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us on that cruel and cursed tree. PAUSE.

On this day, let me remind you that you are precious in the sight of the Lord, you are loved, you are adored and you are blood-bought by the precious blood of the innocent Lamb—Jesus the Friend of sinners. And because of what the Savior has done for us, we have become saints—holy unto the Lord, washed from every stain of sin, and live under His grace now and look forward to the day we will be numbered among the throngs waiving our Palm branches with other saints from other places, and peoples and nations.

In order to be wholesome leaven we need a little bit of heaven—to enter our heart so that we can impart salt and light, love and life, help and hope to those who don’t know the Savior as their FRIEND.

The paradox here is that this little bit of heaven is quite a bit of heaven, even now. The often quoted, or should I say misquoted 1 Cor. 2:9 is speaking of how even now the Lord has blessed us with gargantuan gospel lifts. For example, we have been blessed with the gift of sainthood. Holiness, righteousness, sainthood are genuine gifts we have even now. Very few Christians grasp such a great gift as this.

In Romans 8 it declares we are already glorified. Paul uses a Greek tense to emphasize how much of the glory of God that has already come to us. A little bit of heaven turns out to be a lot of heaven even now, when we consider the rich resurrection realities that are already ours. Even now Jesus dwells within us as God and man. Even now The Holy Spirit has made us His temple. Even now we are incorporated into the body of Christ. Even now we are already saints. Even now we receive the very body and blood of the Savior. Even now holy angels surround us. We also sojourn through life knowing that God is working everything together for the good of the church—everything. We have been sanctified through the Word via our second birth—baptism. A little bit of heaven comes to us big time every time we receive Christ’s true body and blood.

This little bit of heaven, or more accurately a lot of heaven is yours today, because of Jesus our true Lamb who suffered our punishment. This little bit of heaven is yours not because of heritage, inheritance, position or possessions, but simply because someone washed you clean. Someone loved you enough to die for you on the cross (if there is a cross turn and point to it). On that cruel instrument, you and I have been made saints by your FRIEND and mine—Jesus the Christ—OUR ONLY SAVIOR. PAUSE.

At the Conference in Detroit, we were reminded that 90% of all who come to church come because of a friend who has invited them or told them about Jesus. Many of the Muslim converts spoke of the friend who cared and spoke about this Jesus who loved them by dying their death and rose again to give them life and salvation. One friend cared. One friend shared, and one friend told the truth that apart from Jesus Christ there is no salvation (Acts 4:12).

I further learned that in (2008) there were 350.000 Muslims who have gone through the on-line course provided by The Lutheran Hour Ministries about Christianity. What a blessing to witness and to behold how our Church body is reaching out in the name of the Friend of sinners to others, especially to the Muslims.

I like to inform you that there were 23 nations represented at the Conference. Here are the nations: Jordan, Syria, Togo, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Ireland/Scotland, Russia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, India, Philippines, Malaysia, and USA. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN FOR SURE.

What a blessing to have attended this conference. What a blessing to have heard former enemies of the Cross speak of their FRIEND Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. What a blessing to know that our church body is reaching out to others in the name of Jesus Christ.

On this All Saints Day, I encourage you to remain steadfast in the faith that is yours. And remember this little bit of heaven is a lot of heaven for today and forever. And soon, very, very soon, we, ALL BELIEVERS will be before the Throne and the Lamb shouting and saying: ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“The Lamb Reigns! Forward in Faith” (Rev. 5:11-12)

S-1255Ascension/3A 06/02/11, (O) #633 vv 1-4; 5-8(S) #525; L.S. #528; $632; (C) #492

Text: Isaiah 45:18-25; Revelation 5:6-14; John 1:29-37

Theme: “The Lamb Reigns! Forward in Faith” (Rev. 5:11-12)

Question: “Who is your champion?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the Ascension of Jesus is from the Epistle lesson: “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Rev. 5:11-12).

In Nomini Iesu,

Beloved in the Lord, the history of man tells the story very well. In every age, in every era, and in every generation; whether in the sports arena or on the battle field we have someone who reigns supreme. From the mighty powers of Egypt, the Roman Empire, and the Turkish Empire they had their moments. Likewise in sports, from football, to basketball and other sports, you have a champion that rules the court or field.

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, a young man by the name of Michael Jordan dominated the sports of Basketball. He was the reigning champion for a time. His leaping ability earned him the nicknames “Air Jordan” and “His Airness”. But that was then. He is no longer the reigning champion. Now you have LeBron James and others dominating that sport. Champions come and go. Some reign for a while and then they are deposed. Empires come and go, rise and fall; and others take their place.

But today, as we observe the Ascension of our Lord and Savior, the evangelist John tells us of a champion who reigns forever and His kingdom has no end. Who is this Champion? Whose Kingdom is it? It is the Kingdom of God and of the Lamb who was slain on the altar of the cross; but now reigns supreme forever and ever.

40 days after the Resurrection, Jesus would leave the world physically to go to His Father in heaven. His Ascension begins His coronation and His reign that has no end. In full view of the disciples Jesus ascends to heaven from where He came to rule over the entire universe but more importantly over His Church, so that she may live out Her mission in this dark world.

Tonight, on this Ascension Day, as we gather in the Lord’s house to celebrate in Word and song the coronation of our King, join me in being caught up into the heavens, into that throne room as detailed in the vision recorded by St. John in Revelation 4-5.

It’s the throne room of the eternal God. There on the throne He sits in all His glory and majesty. Surrounding Him, seated, as it were, on their own thrones, are the twenty-four elders, representatives of God’s people from every age. And forming an inner circle around the throne are the four living creatures, who sing in a loud voice: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (4:8), and the elders respond, “Glory and honor and power” (4:11).

Yes, Ascension points to Him as the Holy One who is worthy to open the scroll that has all of human history recorded on it. By His death and glorious resurrection this Lamb is worthy to open it and read it. Do you want to know what He reads? Your every activity from the moment you were born till you die—every thought, every action and every word are recorded. And He knows them. Yet, He is worthy and we are not.

How do you measure worth? In today’s world, worth is measured in so many different ways. Some measure worth in terms of dollars. They look at a Bill Gates and his billions and talk about his worth. Others measure it in terms of acting like Brad Pitt who makes between $20-25 million per movie or athletics like LeBron James who makes almost 40m p/y. Others measure it in terms of beauty or appearance or position or power.

By the world’s standards, our Lord Jesus isn’t worth very much. He had no bank account; He won no athletic contests; He didn’t write a book, He didn’t produce a movie and He wasn’t known for His beauty and appear­ance. Yet we say, “Worthy is the Lamb.” The elders tell us why He is worthy: The Lamb is worthy, they say, “For You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9). PAUSE.

The picture of the slain lamb is a common picture in the Old Testament. The lamb of the Passover is slain. Its blood is sprinkled on the doorposts, and God delivers. He passes over the homes of the redeemed. He delivers the firstborn from the angel of death. This picture of the slain lamb is also central to the great prophecies of the Suf­fering Servant. “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Is 53:7). The Suffer­ing Servant, the Messiah, is the LAMB.

It is John the Baptiser who ties it all together. When pointing to Jesus, he cries out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). Here is the One pierced for our transgressions; here is the One crushed for our iniquities. Here is our substitute. The Lord laid upon Him our sin and our iniquity; indeed, He laid upon Him the whole of human history, with all its sins, and He paid the price. He died for YOU, to save YOU, to redeem YOU, to forgive YOU and to love YOU. He died in order to purchase men and women and children for God “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9), and you are one of them. He made you a kingdom, priests to declare His praises, and now you, too, can join in the song, “Wor­thy is the Lamb who was slain” (5:12).

This One who suffered and died was raised to life on the third day. He was seen by Peter and James and John, by the other disciples, and by many others. He rose from death, and then at God’s appointed hour He ascended to take His rightful place, at the right hand of the Father. All things being placed under His feet, He now reigns as the Eternal Champion and King forever and ever.

That’s what we can say to each other on this Ascension Day and every day following as we encourage each other in our walk. Indeed, that is what we can do together. We can confidently go forward in faith!

We go in faith armed by the Gospel of this Lamb. We share what the Lamb has done for us on the cross and still does for us today in His Word and Sacrament. PAUSE.

Because the Lamb Rules in heaven, our hearts and our heads, He has the power to send us on ahead of Him to do what He told the 11 to do. Share the Good News with young and old, here and everywhere. Because Jesus Rules in our hearts He keeps us in faith. He rules the world for the benefit of His people, the Church (Eph 1:22). He is their Shepherd. He leads them by springs of living water. He dwells with His sheep and builds and strengthens their faith. He gives boldness even in the midst of trials and tribulations, which we will most certainly face. And He is the One who will enable us and the whole Christian Church to remain faith­ful to the end.

There’s an interesting detail in this vision pointed out by my spiritual Father, Louis Brighton in his commentary on Revelation, a detail that’s often missed. Normally in the Book of Rev­elation, angels appear to assist John by pointing out details of a vision or interpreting a particular scene. But in this vision, it’s not an angel, but an elder. An elder directs John’s attention to the Lamb. Who better to give that direction than an elder, one who has been touched by the Lamb, touched by His gift of forgive­ness, redeemed from slavery to sin, and rescued from the clutches of hell? Who better than an elder? (See Louis A. Brighton, Revelation, Concordia Commentary [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999], 135.)

And come to think of it, who better than you, than me, than all of us together in this congregation, than the whole Christian Church on earth (Eph 3:10)? After all, we have been touched by His grace and forgiveness. Even now, in this very hour, we are being empowered by the Spirit of God to go forward in faith. The Lamb does it for us in the Word of forgiveness extended and through His body and blood in the Holy Supper. These gifts strengthen and preserve us, indeed the whole Christian Church, to life everlasting.

They strengthen us until that day when the going for­ward in faith comes to an end and we stand in awe before the throne and see our ascended Lord Jesus, the Lamb, in all His glory. Then we shall hear the ascension song of praise, “Worthy is the Lamb,” and join with all the saints and angels, indeed the whole heavenly host, in singing, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (5:13). Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“The Eternal Gospel” (Revelation 14:6-7)

S-1216 Reformation/3C 10/31/10 Hymns (O) #593 LSB; (S)#262; LS #473; #376; (C) #261

Text: Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

Theme: “The Eternal Gospel” (Revelation 14:6-7)

Question: “Do you consider yourself to be totally free?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our meditation this morning is from the book of Revlation: “Then I saw another angel directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water’” (Revelation 14:6-7).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved, this day is very special to all Lutherans, because today, we observe and celebrate the Reformation movement—A movement that began like a little spark in Germany and spread like wildfire throughout the whole world. Reformation celebration is nothing but realizing that we have been freed and have freedom.

But what is “freedom?” Is it being merely loosed from some chain or shackle? Is it living in the United States that offers you freedom of speech and religion? When a prisoner is let loose from his cell, is that enough? No! Being “free” and being “free, indeed!” are as different from each other as light is from darkness and as oil is from water.

The first is simply an escape; the second is liberation to life! The first can be undone; the second cannot be taken away nor diminished. Pastor Paul, in prison during his many imprisonments wore steel on his ankles but his heart and soul were preaching the Eternal Gospel - the same Eternal Gospel proclaimed in Revelation 14, our first reading. These shackles couldn’t bind him, restrict him or hinder him from enjoying what the Savior has giving him in the Gospel—FREEDOM that lasts beyond prison cells, sickness, or casket in a grave. PAUSE.

493 years ago today, as the nail pierced the parchment to hang 95 points of dispute on the church door at Wittenberg the Reformation was born. Luther was more than just a monk. He was a true servant of the most High God. He was a professor of Old Testament, a true and brilliant scholar, a master debater, an engaging preacher, a fiery foe of false faith. He was a faithful shepherd, a loving husband and doting father. We can make him out, like the statue of him on the Seminary grounds in St. Louis, to be “larger than life.” Let me tell you what he was and what he is: He is a SINNER, enslaved to the devil, who was more than unshackled from a chain - this man became a new creature in Christ - one liberated to life. As Pastor Paul reminds us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). You see, the Eternal Gospel worked its renewal in the formerly tortured soul of a man who yearned to be free. Luther didn’t escape from the devil’s grip - oh no! So much more, the Lord of Life Liberated him to a life that was and remains full and abundant.

And the good news this morning is this: There is nothing “special” about Martin Luther. His liberation from the condemnation of sin is yours and it is mine, and now we get to speak even as the angel in Revelation 14:6. That word Angel has a fuller meaning than just one of those pretty little ladies in the white flowing gowns with golden trumpets, flittering from cloud to cloud on the Sistine Chapel or hanging in the Louvre. An Angel is a messenger with a specific message from the God of the Universe. We might read Revelation 14:6 this way, Then I saw another messenger flying directly overhead, with an Eternal Gospel to proclaim... to all people! The messenger doesn’t matter, but the message does, right?

Well, almost. Yes the message matters. But the message is that the messenger him- or her- self matters to almighty God. This particular messenger is above the earth where the great dragon, the evil One, cannot harm him. Though he may breathe fire, he cannot win, the deed is done, one little word has felled him. The message is that God is victorious, that He who made all that is, the heaven and the earth, the sea and the springs of water (i.e., all life) is the judge. He has spoken and He has acted, and in judging His Son guilty of your sin and mine, He has loosed the chains of sin and liberated us once and for all. Now the message is for the messenger. Now the message is in the messenger.

If this day means anything it is that God has put His Eternal Gospel into formerly condemned hearts and lives. By placing that Eternal Gospel into you, He has set you free, indeed. The result is amazing: Not only is Luther a holy messenger, but so are you. Think about where you are planted. 38 years ago, I was a young lad growing up on the slopes of Mt. Carmel, but far away from God, His Church and His Word. But then, by His grace I migrated to the USA and lived in Huron, SD. I attended Huron College and lived in Churchill Hall. Right across from my living quarter was a large building—the library. At the entrance of the library were etched these words: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free!” (John 8:32). I didn’t even know that was part of the Bible. I really didn’t know what that meant at all. Each day I walked by the library I saw the words and read them. Then, one day, while I was attending Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Pastor Paul Schwan (who is sainted) spoke of the freedom that this truth gives to us—sins are forgiven on account of Christ Jesus.

Know these words most beloved of His: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free!” YES, YOU ARE FREED. Today, you witnessed this freedom given to Tayla Ann Hinckley in the Waters of Baptism. As the Word of promise was spoken over her and the water touched her, she was unshackled and delivered to be a recipient of the Eternal Gospel—a Gospel that sets you free forever and ever. What a blessing given to Tayla Ann Hinkley - her name written in the Lamb’s book of Life - assurance for a troubled soul - how grand is that. PAUSE.

Most Holy and beloved people of God, today, you stand above the condemnation of the dragon. For Pastor Paul penned these words: “There is therefore now no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus!” (Romans 8:1) As a messenger, you stand, even as did Luther some 493 years ago, as one who can tell those in your world that each of them and all of us who reside here, do so at His pleasure, and that He has given the ultimate payment for all that put us into prison! The Hour of His judgment is this: The Cross! Ah, Jesus Christ crucified and risen did happen once in time and as such is a matter for the history books. But just as freedom is more than just having the shackles fall off, just as liberation is so much more, so also is the Cross of Jesus more than a footnote in Palestinian history books or on the soil of the Holy Land.

Today we celebrate history but more importantly HIS Story. The milestone or mile-marker that is the yearly observance of Reformation reminds us of the Eternal Gospel that keeps us, yesterday, today, and forever in the pierced-hands of the One who died and rose for us—Jesus Christ. What would be horrible would be to know peace, true peace, forgiveness, being loosed from the chains and shackles and to have the prison door swing open... only to have the peace, the forgiveness, the life, withdrawn after a time or a season. It would be cruel to save us, if that salvation was only temporary. Worse yet, what happens when we give this freedom away?

What do we call a “temporary promise?” – You know the answer to that, don’t you? IT IS A LIE! If the Gospel was anything but eternal it wouldn’t be “the Gospel.” Luther wanted you to know that yesterday matters to God, that today is blessed, and that “forever and ever, amen” is redeemed. Luther wanted every cloud of condemnation, every deluge of doubt; every clank of the chain of the prisoner has been answered in Jesus. Luther didn’t want the Church to preach anything less, anything other than this Jesus. One of the 95 Theses #16 says, There is the same difference between hell, purgatory, and heaven as between despair, almost despair, and certainty {assurance}! The Eternal Gospel is the eternal promise, the certainty, the assurance that Christ Jesus and His blood on the Cross is more than sufficient to bring not just release from the jail-house, but true “forever and ever, amen” style liberation.

We sang A Mighty Fortress today and that is good, but if its refrain is just a piece of music, we lose its true meaning - truly, the kingdom ours remaineth is the joy to guide you and me as we fly overhead, where the eternal consequences of sin are paid in full, to say to those who are still struggling, this is the day of judgment: this is the Judgment of Almighty God - He loves you. Your debt is paid - in full - for all time. You are loved enough to be brought into the family. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29. Amen!”

This is the Eternal Gospel, and this is He who owns you, who cherishes you, who preaches the Gospel through you, in your vocation, even today. With that grand honor bestowed upon you, forever, rejoice! Amen!

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Do You Know Who You Are?” (Revelation 7:13-15)

S-1145 11/1/09 All Saints Day, preached in Galilee (O) #10; (S) #376; (C) #437

Texts: Revelation 714:6-7; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

Theme: “Do You Know Who You Are?” (Revelation 7:13-15)

Question: “Have you asked any questions lately?” SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our Reformation celebration is from the book of Revelation: “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:13-15).

Introduction: In Nomine Iesu

Saints in Christ, if someone asked you: “Who are you? What would you say?” I am sure some of you would say, I am a husband, father; wife, mother; son, daughter; brother, sister; banker, Doctor, Pastor, commander, retired, etc. But honestly who are you? Who do people say you are? Better yet, who does God say you are?

To get the answer to our question, we listen to the words of John in our reading today. “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Dear Saints, you blessed by Your Father, what a legacy, what a future, what a promise is given to you in that sweet word in Revelation 7! The sun shall not smite you, your hunger and thirst are met…at the banquet with the Lamb (At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing, LSB 633)! But today I have even better news about who you are and what is to come: You are a SAINT of God in Christ Jesus now. Or, as John put it in our Epistle, you are a Child of God – fully adopted, received into the family, beloved, Baptized, forgiven, redeemed, blood-bought, heaven-bound and cherished!

Saints in Christ, this is the Gift we celebrate on All Saints Day. And it is for saints of every day, even today. Who can number God’s elect? Only He can. Who can know the depth of our need, of our sin, and of the cost to redeem, to cherish, to abide with us? Only He can. Who can make a sinner, lowly in spirit, to become an inheritor of heaven? Only He can. And notice, heaven’s kingdom is our inheritance. It is not our paycheck; it is not our position in life; and it is not even our name. We have not earned it, not one ounce of love, not one micro-gram of forgiveness, not one drop of blood that flowed from His hands and feet nor one drop of water and blood from His side. Yet it is all yours, for the sake of Him who alone is poorest in Spirit, having become chief of sinners in our stead. What a legacy, what a promise, what a present reality and gift!

Today, you and I are standing on the same spot the Sermon on the Mount was preached. The Gospel reading informs us that Jesus sees the crowd and so goes up to the mountain to begin teaching them, (point to my left-over there). That “seeing” is the same seeing that causes Him to have compassion on later crowds, like the sheep without a shepherd in Matthew 9:3, or at the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14:14. Jesus sees them, and His words are gifts of grace for current trouble and need.

Blessed are we that He sees us, poor in spirit, and bequeaths us His kingdom – the realm and gift of the King of kings(Psalm 51:17). Yes, and blessed are we when we see how He mourned over our fallen lot. Blessed are we, when we have that same Spirit upon us through His Word and Sacraments, for comfort is our inheritance. Blessed are we when meekness is our calling. I love what Psalm 138:6 says of the meek, ⁶ For though the LORD is high, He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar. ⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me. ⁸ The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Yes, we inherit everything now, the earth, and so much more.

Yes, hungering and thirsting for what we do not see in this life apart from Him, that is, His Righteousness, we are satisfied. Oh, we fret and fight, to be sure. We are not perfect… not yet! Ah, but He who has sanctified, that is Saint-ified us – He is, and so hungering and thirsting for what is ours today on the Table, the Meal of Forgiveness, for here we receive in the cup of blessing and in the broken bread that which alone satisfies our hunger and thirst – His righteousness.

Oh, and His mercy, it keeps us. To be sainted means to have been the object of mercy. The arrow of mercy flies to the bulls-eye of our heart and life so that now we may show mercy on others. Mercy is a heavenly gift. The world knows only Justice. It cannot know mercy, for this flows only from Christ. So, when you are merciful, all that you pour out on others then flows back to you again… only sweeter. You know this beatitude well, my saints and His saints. What a gift, what a legacy, now and forever.

Here we are today, walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Walking were He taught, healed, touched the sick and dying, and ate with former sinners made saints by His blood. As you look around you see with human eyes people from every corner of the world. If you pay close attention you will hear many different languages spoken. You see people that don’t look like, speak like, or act like you. But these people are the redeemed of the Lord—the one’s whose close have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.

Here in this place, you and I with our eyes and ears see and hear a bit of the fulfillment of Revelation 7 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9-11). As we continue to walk around this country pay closer attention, listen more attentively and you will hear Hebrew, English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, French etc. These people have come just like you to know more about Jesus, His life, His ministry, and His mission in the world. For He came to wash us and make us SAINTS by the blood He shed on the wooden cross of Calvary.

For the next few days, you will walk in the footsteps of the Savior. You will see different sights, hear different sounds, and taste different food. But none of it matters. What matters is YOUR place in the Promise Land of Heaven.

I hope and pray that I will by the grace of God remind you of who you are, and whose you are—YOU ARE GOD’S SAINTS. Purchased not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood poured for the forgiveness of your sins. Here in this place, I hope you will see more than just buildings and boats; churches and cathedrals, people and places; but that you see God. What a legacy! Yes, on this All Saints Day we celebrate not death but life, we celebrate the gift of His having made peace with us, destroying death and all that separates us from Him. Surely He is our peace who has broken down the barrier between us and Himself (Ephesians 2:14) – therefore, being at peace by The Peacemaker, when we reflect that peace, it flows out from us, then returns, unabated, unharmed, even multiplied – and we are at peace, even now. What a legacy!

To be sure this is the legacy of the Saints: The Peace that more than abides, yes, the Peace that bore our sins… our Jesus. Let our legacy be summed up in this paraphrase of Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all, for indeed, the Lord is near unto you. You mustn’t continue to worry about anything now, but in everything, including these present trials, by prayer and petition make your requests known unto Him who abides, your Jesus, oh, and the peace of God, that Peace that outstrips your fears and needs by meeting them on His own Cross, He is guarding and keeping you in His perfect gift, in Him, now and unto eternity!

Beloved in the Lord, the next time someone asks you, “Who are you? What would you say?” Tell them clearly, confidently and completely, YOU ARE A FORMER SINNERS TRANSFORMED TO SAINTS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. Tell them you are GOD’S SAINTS for now and for eternity. Tell them of the joy of being blessed by Him who blesses us beyond our wildest imagination. Tell them, of your legacy, your inheritance, your eternity that is secured in heaven.

ON this all saints day, remember dear Saint of God, What a legacy! Amen.

Now the peace of God…

Soli Deo Gloria