CW 880: For All the Saints
The festival of All Saints’ Day has traditionally been celebrated by the church on November 1. All Saints’ Day has its roots in the ancient Christian Church as a day to remember the martyrs who gave their lives for their confession of faith. All Saints’ Day encourages us to look back in time and give thanks to God for the Christian saints and martyrs who have preceded us. In modern times we often use this day to remember all those saints who have been called home to heaven in the last year. The festival of All Saints reminds us that we too await that glorious day when we will be called home to heaven and receive our eternal reward.
For all the Saints is a glorious hymn of praise that reminds us that our salvation is found in Christ alone. While we are alive in this world, we are part of the church militant. We face a constant struggle against the forces of Satan who wants to lead the whole world astray. When a Christian dies they are no longer a part of the church militant but become a part of the church triumphant. Our battle is ended, and we receive the glorious crown of eternal life that is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. For All the Saints reminds us of this truth and comforts us as we remember all those who have died and received the crown of life.
Verses 1-2: For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Many people wrongly believe that a saint is someone who lived a perfect and virtuous life. Scripture reminds us that there is only one person who has ever been perfect, Jesus. All of us are by nature lost and condemned creatures who deserve only God’s wrath and punishment. The saints we sing about in this hymn are the believers who have died and now received their eternal rest and reward in heaven. As we remember those who have died in the Lord we remember the example of their faith. Their faith was not based on their works or their righteousness but was founded on the solid rock of Christ alone.
Verses 3-4: Oh, may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold fight as the saints who nobly fought of old and win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!
While we live on this earth we fight a constant battle against the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. This battle has been raging since Adam and Eve fell into sin. All believers throughout the ages of this world have struggled against sin and temptation. On our own, we could never win, but God in his great mercy sent Jesus to be our champion and defeat the power of the devil. By his death and resurrection, Christ has destroyed the devil’s work. When we die, we receive the glory of heaven and are freed from the power of sin and death. As we continue in our struggle, we look forward to the day we can join those who have gone before and dwell in the glory of the Lord.
Verses 5-6: And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph-song, and hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia! The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest; sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
As Christians we long for the day when we will be united with our Lord in the never-ending joy of heaven. We grow weary in our struggles in this world. The festival of All Saints reminds us that there is an end to our struggle. We look forward with joy and longing to the day of our Lord’s return. Heaven is a glorious rest from the pain and sorrow of this world. In heaven, we will know peace and joy as we dwell in the eternal light and love of our Lord.
Verses 7-8: 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!
At times it can feel like we are all alone in our struggle. For all the Saints reminds us that we are part of a countless host of believers. On the Last Day, our Lord will return in all his glory, and we will join the triumphant host as we stream through the gates of heaven. On that Last Day, the church militant will no longer exist. We will all be part of the church triumphant. The struggle will be complete, and we will dwell forever in the glory of the new heavens and the new earth.
For all the Saints is a wonderful reminder of the connection we have to those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Death is a terrible thing and was never part of God’s plan for creation. Death separates us from those that we love. But that separation will not last. As Christians we know that death is not the end for us, but just the beginning of our eternal life with the Lord. As we think about those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, we rejoice in the crown of salvation that they have now received and we look forward to that great day when we will be united with all the saints at the wedding supper of the Lamb.